Milwaukee Bucks: Jordan Nwora making his case for the 2021-22 rotation

The Milwaukee Bucks have played two of the five preseason games on their 2021-22 schedule, and the biggest takeaway has unquestionably been Jordan Nwora.

With most of their veteran talent sidelined, younger players like Nwora have gotten a much more significant opportunity to showcase their talents, and the forward has certainly taken advantage. Starting in consecutive matchups against the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets, Nwora has shown signs that he can be a legitimate contributor for this team during the 2021-22 season.

Nwora’s numbers against the Grizzlies were not out of this world, but he looked solid by totaling a team-high 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Typically known solely for his lethal scoring and shooting ability, the second-year man showed off his versatility by facilitating and looking competent on the defensive end for part of the night. Where Nwora genuinely stood out was against the Nets on Friday night, where he totaled 30 points, having shot 11-of-21 from the floor and an impressive 6-of-10 from deep. He was fantastic in that contest, and some fans have once again begun clamoring for him to earn time in the rotation this coming season.

Others will argue that they should bump the breaks because this is preseason and things will look far different in the regular season, but the competition at the moment is interesting. Although the Bucks have not rolled out their typical starting five – or anything close to it – both of the matchups they have played included the other team practically at full strength. The Grizzlies were without their defensive ace in Dillon Brooks, but Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Steven Adams all saw a significant amount of time out on the floor. The Nets had everyone except Kyrie Irving and veteran big man Paul Millsap in the mix, meaning they still had their MVP tandem of Kevin Durant and James Harden in the fold.

Sure, the intensity during the preseason might not be what it is like once the regular season starts, but there is no denying what Nwora is doing on this stage is impressive.

Will Jordan Nwora’s impressive preseason stretch be enough to help him earn legitimate minutes with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021-22?

First and foremost, the Bucks have three more preseason games left to play, so Nwora will have to keep this newfound momentum going, but he is well on his way to earning time. The criticisms that were apparent throughout Nwora’s rookie year revolved around his inconsistency on offense, a non-existent presence on defense, and a near-unwillingness to pass the basketball. While two games is a small sample size, he looks great in all three of those areas.

Offensively, Nwora looks more confident than ever, more so against the Nets, which the numbers would also suggest. He likely will not knock down 60 percent of his triples on a nightly basis, but he undeniably is a challenging player to guard. That routine stepback jumper of his at 6-foot-8 is fascinating to watch, and not only has he shown that he can shoot it from the outside, but he has also looked good when taking it to the hoop and when in the mid-range. Nwora brings a scoring punch to the table whenever he checks in, and the Bucks could clearly utilize that.

There has been much debate about how head coach Mike Budenholzer will divide the minutes in the newly revamped rotation this season, but Nwora is a player that could see 15-20 minutes on a nightly basis in the eyes of many. That electric outside shot of his makes him an ideal fit on the offensive end for Milwaukee, particularly alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and the rest of the usual pieces that will see hefty minutes. As for who exactly Nwora could overtake in the rotation, Rodney Hood and Thanasis Antetokounmpo are the two obvious choices if he can keep riding the hot hand here.

Nwora can certainly help this Milwaukee team win basketball games. Everyone knows that he is a lethal scoring, but the biggest question mark revolves around his defense. The Bucks under coach Budenholzer have been so defensive-oriented that it is tough for a player like Nwora, who has his limitations on that end, to earn minutes. Bryn Forbes was an exception last season as defense is not his strong suit, but he fell out of the rotation almost entirely late in the postseason due to this predicament. Nwora’s case to become a staple in the rotation will remain clouded unless he takes these strides on the defensive end, and at 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, he has the stature to be a solid defender, he just has to put it all together. Practicing with the Bucks daily, there is no doubt that he can reach that level.

While there are still three preseason games left to play, fans are already sold on Nwora as a piece in the rotation next season. If he keeps up this recent surge, that could finally come to fruition as the Milwaukee Bucks look to defend their crown in 2021-22.