3 Bucks who should be getting more minutes – Andre Jackson Jr.
It is no secret that the Bucks have really struggled defensively and currently have one of the worst defensive ratings in the league. This is down to many factors. Griffin’s new defensive system taking time to implement, a lack of drop coverage really exposing Brook Lopez to him being left defending players on the perimeter, and a real problem in terms of getting back in transitions, giving up a league-high 20.2 points per game.
Andre Jackson Jr. can bring real energy, and his youthfulness can actually be a tool off the bench for the Bucks. Allowing him to just be a disruptor, and if that means picking up fouls, then so be it, but just be an annoying presence for opposing players.
Milwaukee has allowed big games to guards. Jalen Brunson scored 45, Tyler Herro 35, Tyrese Maxey 31 and Dennis Schroder 24. With Jackson Jr. standing at 6-foot-6, there is the possibility of getting him to defend these ball-dominant guards and just to be a pest and disrupt their offensive flow. Use his big body and athleticism to get in the way and just be a bit more physical to deny these sorts of high-scoring individual performances.
One area that the Bucks have struggled and Jackson Jr. excels in is defending the 3-point shot. A league-sixth worst 38.1 percent is what Milwaukee is giving up from beyond the arc, and he can help lower this and again be a disruptor.
We have not seen enough yet from Jackson Jr. to say he should see a huge amount of minutes, but he has only played in garbage time of the two blowout wins when I think he can have a real impact in any game in short bursts. Offensively, as we know, there are things he can improve on, but that will come with time, and being given more minutes will allow him to grow into playing NBA ball and playing a variety of opposing players and offensive schemes.