Giannis Antetokounmpo loves what he's seen from Kevin Porter Jr. in training camp and preseason. Plenty of outsiders were shocked when the Milwaukee Bucks made it clear that they were promoting Porter to starting point guard this season, but Giannis, the rest of the players, and the coaching staff know what he brings. Based on Giannis' recent comments, they are all right to believe in him.
"I want this clip to go viral. Man, I love playing with him. I love playing with Kevin, man. He's an incredible teammate. He's locked in this season. He's about to have an incredible season. He's one of our leaders out there. One of our young leaders out there. He's very very vocal... Since training camp, he's been incredible. I loved playing with him last year, and I love playing with him this year, too.
Bucks need a big year from Kevin Porter Jr.
The Milwaukee Bucks had plenty of routes they could have explored to address their starting point guard position after cutting Damian Lillard this summer. Instead, they opted for the internal route of promotion, giving Porter a two-year deal worth around $10.5 million. If he takes a leap like the Bucks hope he can, that could end up being a steal in no time.
Porter's path to success is clear. He must play well off of Giannis Antetokounmpo, knocking down his triple tries and playing pesky defense. However, like Jrue Holiday did so well, he must be able to control the offense when called upon to take some of the pressure off the Greek Freak, creating his own buckets or getting teammates involved.
Between Porter, Ryan Rollins, and Cole Anthony, some are concerned that the Milwaukee Bucks don't have a legitimate starting point guard. That's what happens when a team goes from Eric Bledsoe to Jrue Holiday to Damian Lillard. Milwaukee might not have a star, but they have a proven starter. During his Houston stint, Porter averaged 17.2 points, six assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
Those are starting caliber numbers, and the Milwaukee Bucks need Porter to get back to that level if they want to become a legitimate contender.
It was just the preseason, but he looked the part during his four games in limited minutes. Averaging 18.9 minutes, far fewer than he will in the regular season, Porter put up 10.5 points and 4.5 assists while shooting well over 50 percent. Whether he was on the hunt for his own shot or setting someone else up, he looked calm, collected, and productive, which is exactly what the Milwaukee Bucks need.
Porter understands his heightened importance to this team. That much is clear by Giannis saying he is incredibly vocal and one of the leaders of this basketball team. It's a challenge he must embrace with open arms. If he ever wants to get back to being a high-level contributor, helping guide this new-look Milwaukee Bucks team is the perfect place to start. He needs them. And they need him.
The doubters don't think he's good enough. Porter will have a great opportunity to make them all eat their words. So far, it looks like a great move on Milwaukee's end.
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