In theory, Cole Anthony and Gary Trent Jr. should be giving the Milwaukee Bucks a major spark off the bench this season. Well, that theory has been crushed thus far. The guard tandem is struggling to do much of anything, and it's plaguing this team, especially in Giannis Antetokounmpo's absence. If the Bucks want to get out of their current rut, these two flipping the switch could certainly help.
Bucks need more from Anthony, Trent if they want to right the ship
When Cole Anthony poured in 23 points off the bench in Milwaukee's second contest of the season, it felt like he was bound to emerge as the team's leading reserve. However, since then, his output has been bogged down by putrid shot selection, reckless passes, and stomach-churning turnovers, and things are only getting worse as the games go on.
Over his last four games, Anthony is averaging six assists, 3.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.3 turnovers per outing while shooting just 24 percent from the floor. Sure, the assists and rebounds have been a welcoming boost, but the scoring issues and constant turnovers have been brutal. His performance in Milwaukee's latest outing limited him to just 14 minutes, his fewest since November 1.
Meanwhile, since being demoted to a bench role, Trent's numbers haven't been quite as bad as those Anthony has put up. He's averaging 10.4 points while shooting 47.4 percent from the floor, including 42.3 percent from deep. However, he's not doing much else, tallying just 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 rebounds in that same span.
Both players are capable of so much more, and the Milwaukee Bucks need them to realize that soon.
In his first nine games of the season, Anthony averaged 11.2 points and 5.2 assists with 1.9 turnovers per game while shooting 49.4 percent from the floor. He must get back to that level of efficiency if the guard wants to earn his keep. Trent is coming off a playoff series in which he averaged 18.8 points and 2.6 steals per game on incredible efficiency. That player has been nowhere to be found.
Giannis Antetokounmpo still has a week or two before he will be ready to return. The Bucks have lost their last two games without him, and if they don't start turning the corner, things will remain ugly.
Cole Anthony and Gary Trent Jr. aren't the sole factors in Milwaukee's recent woes, but they've played their part. Getting these two going could inject a needed spark into this Bucks team.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.