The Milwaukee Bucks have gotten off to a grueling 3-4 start to their 2021-22 campaign.
It is not so much that the world champs are experiencing a championship hangover but that their roster has been ravaged by injuries early on. The Bucks are interchanging new players into the mix on a nightly basis, making it hard to establish any continuity. Many things have stood out early on, but among the most prominent have been several players struggling to find their footing. While it is still early, here is whether fans should panic or have patience with these three individuals.
Should Milwaukee Bucks fans panic or have patience with Semi Ojeleye?
The Bucks placed Semi Ojeleye on the shelf early this season as he nursed a calf strain, limiting him to just two appearances in the team’s seven games.
In the games where he has played, it has been tough to watch. The forward is a brutal 0-for-10 on shots thus far, all of them coming from behind the arc. He certainly looked confident when heaving these 3-pointers as there has been no hesitation in his mind, but he has still been unable to buy a bucket once this season. Defensively, Ojeleye has not exactly stood out either, as the team defense continues to look shaky without so many key pieces.
Two games and a total of 25 minutes played is surely a small sample size to be judging a player by, especially one that is coming off an injury. Still, there is some justifiable concern when it comes to Ojeleye, mostly on the offensive end. The forward has never been known for his electric ability to score the basketball, but he has been downright brutal to watch early on. These shots, particularly the wide-open ones, are the shots the Bucks will need him to knock down this season. The most important thing for Ojeleye will be shoring up the defense, where he has looked a step slow.
While it has been brutal to watch, it is not time for fans to slam the panic button just yet. After all, Ojeleye has played just 25 minutes so far, having missed out on the preseason entirely and a good portion of the regular season. There was definitely going to be some rust. Two games is too small of a sample size to cause mass panic among the fanbase, although many have not been sold on the idea of Ojeleye from the beginning, and understandably so. Check back in in a few weeks.
Verdict: Concern is reasonable, but not panic yet.
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.
Verdict: Teetering patience, but patience
Should Milwaukee Bucks fans panic or have patience with Pat Connaughton?
Some would argue that Pat Connaughton does not deserve to be on this list. How could a player averaging career-highs in points and rebounds be categorized as struggling? Well, it starts with his 3-point shot, where he is just 32.5 percent throughout the first seven games for the Bucks.
Connaughton started the year red hot from distance by shooting 10-of-24 (41.7 percent) in the team’s first four contests. Just when it seemed like the guard had mastered his outside shot, he froze over and has shot 3-of-16 (18.75 percent) over his last three games. Given the fact that the veteran has played 30.6 minutes on average this year, by far a career-high, due to the injuries to the roster, this hot and cold start from 3-point range has come at a poor time. He has shot the second-most triples on the roster this season with 40, and they desperately need him to start hitting them consistently.
Should fans be worried about Connaughton’s 3-point percentage this season? No. Anyone that watched Milwaukee’s title run understands how well Connaughton can shoot the basketball from long-range, and he started the year off scorching hot as well. The last three games have been a challenge for the veteran, but it is only a matter of time before Connaughton starts seeing the bottom of the net once again. He has the greenest of green lights for Milwaukee, and he will continue to let it fly with no hesitation, whether it be in the starting five or off the bench.
Verdict: Kick your feet up to get comfortable and be patient
Keep an eye on Ojeleye, Nwora, and Connaughton as the season moves forward.