Just when it felt like the Milwaukee Bucks were starting to find their stride and stay healthy, an issue they've battled constantly over the years, a new injury struck.
Doc Rivers told reporters prior to Milwaukee's recent contest against OKC that big man Jericho Sims has a thumb injury and that surgery is on the table. Now, it's unclear just how severe the injury is, as it wasn't bad enough to hold Sims out of the game against the Thunder. However, Rivers didn't even let the big man reach 12 minutes. It's not clear if that was due to the injury or rotation decisions.
For the time being, Sims may try to play through it, but if pain persists, it could put the Bucks into a real bind, given how well the big man had been playing. Furthermore, Bobby Portis remains off the grid due to suspension, so the Milwaukee Bucks are extra thin at the center spot. If Sims goes under the knife, things get even more problematic.
There is one young player who may be thrown into the fire if that does indeed happen.
Bucks' Tyler Smith must stay ready as team battles injury bug
Milwaukee's current depth chart at center consists of Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis and Jericho Sims. If Sims goes down, Doc Rivers may have to consider playing several players out of position to fill some of the minutes when Lopez needs a break. One solution would be playing Giannis Antetokounmpo at center more, but he can't do it alone. Perhaps this could open the door for some Tyler Smith minutes.
Smith, a second-round pick in this past draft, hasn't played a considerable role for the Bucks all year, logging 85 minutes across 18 games. It must be noted that 27 of those minutes came in one contest alone back in February. The rookie has spent most of his time in the G-League, where he's gotten his time to shine with legitimate minutes. Now, he may have to earn those at the NBA level.
To be clear, Smith is the definition of a break glass in case of emergency big man. If he were to play, he wouldn't earn significant minutes. Could he log five to ten per game to take some of the strain off of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez? The Milwaukee Bucks would have to live with some of his growing pains, but with the current center issues, it's possible.
Sims and Smith are very different players, but they actually share a common attribute: athleticism. Both possess a leaping ability and fluidity that coaching simply cannot teach for players of this size. With Sims, it has been a major asset for the Milwaukee Bucks, and the same could go for Smith if he has to play.
For now, all the Milwaukee Bucks and fans can do is play the situation by ear. Sims could very well just play through the injury if it is a matter of pain tolerance. However, if that pain is too great, surgery may come sooner rather than later. All Tyler Smith can do is stay ready so he isn't shocked in the event he hears his name called off the bench by Doc Rivers.
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