It's becoming increasingly clear that Brayden Burries needs to play a role for the Milwaukee Bucks on a steady basis. The biggest question revolves around where he fits into the rotation. If Kevin Porter Jr. continues to struggle as he has throughout the early NBA Preseason action, the rookie might have an opportunity to work his way into the rotation by taking some of KPJ's minutes.
Porter's struggles are not a great sign
Two games are two games. It's a small sample size. Still, Porter hasn't quite looked like the version of himself that put up some career bests last season. In these two games, the guard has averaged just 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and three assists per game. His ugly shooting has held him back, as he has gone just 2-for-12 in the preseason.
It's not time to panic, but these struggles are obviously not reassuring.
Burries, meanwhile, has looked solid for a rookie, averaging 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game. His 12 points in the clutch are tied for the most any player has logged in the preseason thus far, already looking wise beyond his years. His overall efficiency hasn't been the best, as he's shooting just 34.8 percent, but again, this is a rookie. That should be expected.
It's early, but Burries looks like he will be a mainstay for the franchise for the foreseeable future. Porter, on the other hand, has a far more uncertain future. If his struggles persist, the Milwaukee Bucks could rip the band-aid off now and fully unleash Burries. That is speculation, of course. Even the thought of it should have Kevin Porter Jr. feeling the heat, though.
Both players have two games left to shine
No decisions have been made yet. Coach Taylor Jenkins will hold off on any decisions until opening night of the NBA season. He wants to get as much of an opportunity to assess everyone as much as he possibly can. With two preseason games left on the preseason schedule, both Porter and Burries have plenty of time left to alter their perception—both positively or negatively.
If Porter plays, it would be reassuring if he comes out and puts together back-to-back performances that resemble what he did last season. At his best, he's an electric scorer, passer, and defender. If he plays well, all of this chatter could die down quickly. Yet, if he struggles while Burries puts together a quality showing, the chatter will only intensify.
All eyes are on Porter in game four, who should be more than motivated to emphatically bounce back.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
Add us as a preferred source on Google