Christmas has come early for Milwaukee Bucks fans, today it was announced today that Joe Ingles, signed by the Bucks this past summer, will make his debut with the team Monday in New Orleans against the Pelicans.
Today, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that if Ingles makes it through his five-on-five workout on Saturday, he will debut Monday. It’s not a far stretch to imagine that he completes this workout, as Ingles has been spending some time with the Wisconsin Herd to ramp up his conditioning. Ingles was assigned to the herd just over a week ago and spent time with the team for practice, similar to how the Bucks rehabilitated Khris Middleton before he returned to the lineup.
Joe Ingles debut is coming at the very least, six days early, as the earliest expectations were that Ingles could be ready as early as Christmas but likely out until January. Now we could see him as early as December 19th.
What does Joe Ingles bring to the Milwaukee Bucks in his debut?
Joe Ingles right away gives the Milwaukee Bucks more depth on the wings, mainly at forward. Ingles gives the Bucks a great piece to use either as a big lineup small forward keeping a large size advantage over their opponent. The Bucks could also use Ingles as a power forward in small ball lineups when Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing center.
Either scenario allows the Milwaukee Bucks to remain dangerous on offense as Ingles is an elite shooter, 40.8 percent from the 3-point line in his career. Joe Ingles is also a very good pick and roll ball handler, Ingles averaged 1.02 points per possession as the pick and roll ball handler and scored on 40.7 percent of pick and rolls with him as the ball handler.
Picturing Joe Ingles running the pick and roll with Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the best pick and roll roll guys in the NBA is a great prospect for the Milwaukee Bucks offense.
Also, Joe Ingles is no slouch defensively, he may not look like an elite defender, but it doesn’t mean he’s not a capable defender. Joe Ingles had a very respectable 103.7 defensive rating last season before tearing his ACL. That mark would be the second best on the Milwaukee Bucks this season, which is impressive given that the Bucks have been pretty solid defensively this season outside a few games.
What to expect from Joe Ingles Milwaukee Bucks debut:
Don’t expect Joe Ingles to jump straight into 30 minutes per game, maybe more like 20 to get reacclimated to NBA basketball. Also, Mike Budenholzer will surely have to tinker with lineups more to get Ingles the playing time he needs, meaning others will likely be playing less, exactly who remains to be seen. Lastly, don’t expect Ingles to immediately put up 15-20 points right away or not miss a few shots. Give Ingles some time to get comfortable, remember, not only is he returning from a serious injury that has held him out for nearly a year, but he is also joining a new team and playing in a new system.
Also, Joe Ingles has never played with a guy like Giannis Antetokounmpo before, this time between Ingles making his debut and the All-Star break, the “dog days” of the NBA season, watching Ingles and Antetokounmpo on the floor at the same time is sure to be entertaining.
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