The Milwaukee Bucks’ second unit was a hot topic of discussion throughout the regular season, and that may continue with the 2022 NBA Playoffs around the corner. The defending champions have six reserves that could all possibly earn time on the biggest stage, with each possessing an X-factor that could prove crucial. With the starters’ X-factors already listed, let us get right into it and look at the list for the Milwaukee Bucks’ top six second unit players.
Bobby Portis’ overall defense will be an X-factor for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Playoffs
After starting for a massive portion of the season due to Brook Lopez’s absence, Bobby Portis has readjusted to his role off the bench. The big man will play a big role for the Bucks once the playoffs begin, and the main question mark revolves around his play on the defensive end. Although he has looked better on the defensive side of the ball this year, Portis still has his lapses, and fixing that is crucial on the big stage. It is why the big man was temporarily taken out of the rotation during the Bucks’ second round series against the Brooklyn Nets last year. To avoid this happening again, the big man must play serviceable defense. His scoring and rebounding can undoubtedly help this unit and will earn him playing time, but if he can also pick up the intensity on defense, Portis could be a significant difference-maker off the Milwaukee Bucks’ bench in the playoffs.
Grayson Allen’s aggressiveness will be an X-factor for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Playoffs
Like Bobby Portis, Grayson Allen also started for a good chunk of the year before being sent to the bench late in the season. The two-guard has played well since the change by averaging nine points while shooting an extremely efficient 57.1 percent from the floor and 43.9 percent from distance. Allen has been in a great groove offensively since moving to the bench, but his shot attempts are down tremendously compared to when he was a starter. Many have argued all year that Allen must be far more aggressive with the basketball, given how efficiently he can score at all three levels, but particularly from 3-point range. Though his playing time has shrunk since he moved to the bench, Allen will still get his share of minutes and shot attempts once the playoffs begin, and he must capitalize in those minutes. If he can provide a scoring punch off the bench in his minutes with efficiency like this, Allen could have a significant impact in a postseason series.