Brayden Burries never gets too high or too low. It's exactly what the Milwaukee Bucks rookie told the media following the team's preseason win over OKC. While it might sound cliche to some, Burries had just proven it directly in the couple of hours beforehand. Despite a poor first half against the Thunder, the guard didn't let it faze him, bouncing back to help lead the Bucks to victory.
A tale of two Burries
In just under eight first-half minutes, Burries finished with four points on 2-of-7 shooting, a foul, and a turnover. He was a -17, tied for the second-worst on the entire team. It wouldn't have been shocking if that had him frazzled. It was rough, to say the least, as the Thunder were up 18 at the break. However, he kept a level head and helped engineer a second-half comeback by the Milwaukee Bucks.
In 13 and a half second half minutes, the guard produced much more, totaling 12 points, five boards, two steals, and an assist. He knocked down three of his six shots, including two clutch buckets during the final minute and a half, but also helped the Bucks claw their way back into it at the foul line, where he buried six of his eight shots.
Yes, OKC wasn't playing most of their regulars as the Bucks stormed back, but Burries doing a total 180 from the first to the second half was still impressive. It shows where his head is at and that he won't be defeated by the mental game. For a player who is yet to play a single regular season game, he is set up to succeed in Milwaukee.
Burries' stock just keeps rising
Since being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks 10th overall in this past draft, Burries has done nothing but impress. He dazzled in the Summer League, putting together one of the best showings by a Buck ever, and is off to a nice start in the preseason. Furthermore, he just turned 21 and already talks like he is a 10-year NBA veteran. Rookies like this simply don't grow on trees.
It was clear from the jump, but it's only growing more obvious by the day that Burries needs to be a key cog in Milwaukee's plans moving forward. It's unclear how they plan to maneuver the lingering logjam backing up the guard rotation, but no matter how things go, Burries needs to be among the players this team sees as a key piece of the future.
His poise is one of the many reasons why.
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