Milwaukee Bucks: Panic or patience on 3 players struggling in 2021-22
By Dalton Sell
Should Milwaukee Bucks fans panic or have patience with Jordan Nwora?
Jordan Nwora was justifiably the player that an array of Bucks fans were most excited to watch this year. The sophomore forward seemed poised for a big leap with a larger role in the rotation, and while his minutes have been plentiful, his production has not.
Throughout seven games, Nwora is averaging 8.4 points while shooting a brutal 33.9 percent on field-goal attempts and 30.3 percent on 3-pointers. The forward’s role revolves around bringing a scoring punch off the bench, and he has struggled to do that consistently in his 22.6 minutes per game. At this point in time, Nwora has attempted the four most shots for the Bucks, trailing three starters in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Grayson Allen. For a player getting that many shots nightly, these would certainly like for him to produce more.
These growing pains were somewhat expected from the 23-year-old. Although he was expected to receive a bigger role in the rotation, these injuries have increased his importance tenfold, and he has quite a bit on his plate right now. For a player that is seeing consistent time for the first time in his career, the struggles are somewhat understandable for the inexperienced forward. It will take time for him to not only get used to playing consistently in the rotation but playing as one of the most important players currently able to suit up.
Nwora has all the tools to be successful with the Bucks. As displayed by his many attempts, he does not lack the confidence to shoot the basketball. Coaches and fellow players will continue assuring Nwora to keep shooting. Eventually, those shots will start to drop hopefully. He looks to be doing other things well, such as facilitating and shot-blocking, but his scoring ability will be how he earns his stripes with the Bucks.