Milwaukee Bucks’ Damien Inglis Playing Well In D-League

As all eyes have been on some improved Milwaukee Bucks play over the past couple of weeks, Damien Inglis has been finding his groove in the D-League.

Somewhat lost in the general uptick in form that the Milwaukee Bucks have had of late, is the play of the team’s 2014 second round pick Damien Inglis in the D-League.

Inglis is an interesting figure, as his lack of playing time since being drafted has not only made him a somewhat mysterious young talent, but also led to undue hype surrounding him from some quarters of the fanbase.

In many ways, that’s what has made Inglis’ failure to crack the Bucks rotation this season so disappointing, but in reality, his 2015-16 season has played out just how you’d have expected the rookie campaign of a second round international player who never even had experience of playing in Europe’s top leagues to have gone.

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Inglis has a lot to learn both on and off the court, and that combination has possibly led him into a place where he has a very uncertain future in the NBA.

Most importantly at present, Milwaukee needed Inglis to get some playing time. If he wasn’t capable of coming in and helping the Bucks, he would be better served on assignment in the D-League getting some regular minutes.

Without a lone D-League affiliate that process can be challenging for Milwaukee, but having spent a short spell with the Canton Charge earlier in the season, this time out Inglis finds himself working with the Westchester Knicks.

Oct 10, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Damien Inglis (17) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Detroit won 117-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Knicks are no slouch and as a result there’s no place for Inglis to hide. Westchester currently lead the D-League’s Atlantic Division, as well as ranking second in the Eastern Conference.

Driven behind the play of familiar names such as Jimmer Fredette and Thanasis Antetokounmpo (yes, that is Giannis’ brother), the Knicks have established themselves as one of the best teams in the D-League. That made Inglis’ landing in Westchester particularly fascinating. Could he fit in and be a positive influence on a good team?

The early returns have been positive, as through Inglis four games on his current assignment, he’s averaging 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 26 minutes of play per game. He’s also shooting the ball well, making 44.2 percent of his shots from the field, as well as 41.2 percent from behind the three-point line.

What might be even more positive is that he looks to be growing more comfortable, confident and effective in his surroundings with each passing game.

Inglis made his debut for Westchester on the road against Toronto’s affiliate Raptors 905 and came out gunning like a guy who had been twitching from not taking a shot in months.

Inglis showed some nice flashes offensively and great confidence in his own ability, but a 3-12 shooting night that included an 0-5 display from deep was never going to do much to endear him to fans or coaching staffs in either Westchester or Milwaukee.

As if he had learned his lesson from that showing, Inglis was much more reserved and in control in his next game against the Delaware 87ers, and that would coincide with a strong performance from his teammates.

Inglis grabbed a double-double in just under 24 minutes of play, posting 17 points and 10 boards. Those 17 points included a perfect 3-3 from three-point range, as well as plenty of trips to the free throw line where he went 6-9.

Having cut his field goal attempts down to an efficient seven in that game, the man from French Guiana would gradually work that number back up in line with his rising confidence.

When Raptors 905 returned the favor by visiting Westchester, the teams battled it out in a close one that ended up decided in overtime and Inglis took 11 shots.

The 20-year-old had 12 points on 5-11 shooting including 2-4 from deep, but also gave a little flavor of how diverse his game can be, adding in three rebounds, four assists and two steals for good measure.

By the way, Damien Inglis pull-up threes in a Los Knicks jersey may be a new way of life.

Last but certainly by no means least, Inglis had his best game of the season (between both assignments and limited opportunities with the Bucks) on Sunday night as Westchester blew out the Erie Bayhawks.

Inglis had a season high 19 points along with six boards, four assists and two steals, in what was very much a complete performance. Shooting 7-13 from the field and 2-5 from deep, the Knicks have to be feeling comfortable that they can start to trust Inglis and that would be an exciting step forward for both sides.

Inglis has a lot to work on still.

His jump shot although relatively efficient in Westchester can at times be ungainly. He has a hitch near the top that feels like an involuntary hesitation on many of his strokes. It’s not unlike a golfer suffering from “the yips” .

Focus and decision-making need to be top priorities also. Greater concentration would particularly benefit Inglis on the defensive end where his physical tools should give him all that he needs to become an excellent defender, while offensively he needs to learn when to turn down a shot.

At the crux of all of this, the Bucks will have some decisions to make. What’s the best course of action to help Inglis to progress?

Is it having him back in Milwaukee with the team where he can be molded or guided under their own watchful eyes, or is he better served playing with a good team, growing in confidence and getting real burn to work on his game in live situations?

Only the Bucks will know for sure, but I’d be inclined to lean towards the latter. Inglis won’t be best served by being pulled back up to pick up DNPs like he was after his spell with Canton, so why not leave him down there for a while?

Injury permitting, the Bucks should allow Inglis to continue to work and spread his own wings with the Westchester Knicks. Performances like his recent ones certainly won’t do him any harm.