The NBA Playoffs are all but out of reach for the Milwaukee Bucks. With 10 matchups left, this team is just trying to get to the finish line and embrace what is shaping up to be a wild offseason. Yet, if the Bucks have any reason to keep going this season, it's to get Ryan Rollins as many reps as he can take down the stretch to further fuel his development.
These final 10 games are all about Ryan Rollins
Rollins has taken full advantage of an extended opportunity this season, doing his best to keep the team afloat despite being ravaged by injuries. He wasn't even supposed to start this season. It was not until Kevin Porter Jr. went down in game one that Rollins worked his way into the starting lineup and kicked off his breakout campaign.
Just like it was to open the season, injuries are still a prominent storyline. Giannis Antetokounmpo is still not healthy. Kevin Porter Jr.'s knee is still swollen. Bobby Portis, Myles Turner, and Kyle Kuzma are all still banged up. As one of the few healthy Milwaukee Bucks, Rollins is seeing a massive increase in usage lately, and it's helping his growth.
Milwaukee's latest matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers is the perfect example. Rollins led the way with 36 points, heaving 26 shot attempts, which tied a season-high. The Bucks lost, a common theme lately, but Rollins had the greenest of lights. The lone silver lining from games like this is that they allow young players like Rollins to see more opportunities and grow from them.
Down the stretch, it wouldn't hurt to see Rollins get up around 20 shot attempts per game like this more often. You can't take those shot attempts home with you. Leave it all out there. Even when he isn't shooting, he can work on his passing and overall playmaking as a ball-handler, as he's the clear go-to guy in that regard as well.
Bucks have a budding star who has room to grow
There are plenty of uncertainties for the Milwaukee Bucks as the season comes to a somber close. Doc Rivers is not safe as coach. No one knows what's going through Giannis Antetokounmpo's mind as it pertains to his future. The Myles Turner experiment has the team's financial flexibility in limbo. The one certainly is that Rollins is under contract for next season and is a clear building block.
At 23, the guard still has new heights to reach. This opportunity could be a great thing for his growth. The two-way potential is undeniable. Rollins has always been a stout defender, but now, he's showing that he can back it up with exceptional play offensively. As he works on his craft in these last 10 games, it will set him up for another leap next season.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.