The Bucks roster still has some holes on paper, especially defensively. They appear to be lacking a lockdown perimeter defender to cover opposing guards, but the answer to their problems could be right under their noses. Ryan Rollins was an emerging defender in his limited role last season and hopes to continue his growth into an elite stopper next season.
Ryan Rollins has all the tools to be an elite defender
For the last couple of seasons, the Bucks have lacked the elite perimeter defense that helped them win a championship. The role once filled by Jrue Holiday became vacant, but now Rollins could be a possible successor.
Rollins has all of the physical tools - he’s quick enough to keep up with the best ball handlers and has a gargantuan 6-foot-10 wingspan despite standing 6-foot-3. He also has the mindset and instincts to be an active playmaker on defense, whether it’s stripping ball handlers, deflecting passes, or even offering the occasional rim protection.
Despite limited playing time, Rollins showed his defensive potential last season. In 14.6 minutes per game across 56 appearances, he tallied 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks per game. At face value, these numbers are not awfully impressive, but considering his low minutes and rapid improvement, they’re actually quite promising.
On a per-minute basis, Rollins’ rates of steals and blocks were only matched last season among guards by some of the very best defenders in the league: guys like Alex Caruso and Dyson Daniels. If Rollins can maintain per-minute rates close to these as he steps into a more prominent role, he’ll be exactly the defender that the Bucks are missing.
Next season, Rollins will have advantages in his defensive game compared to previous seasons. He now has some NBA experience playing meaningful games and will be empowered by Doc Rivers to take on an even bigger role. He’s just 23 years old and has tremendous room to grow on both sides of the ball.
Additionally, Rollins will get some more defensive guidance from his veterans. Recent addition Gary Harris has more than a decade of guarding some of the best players in the league, which he can impart on the young Rollins. If he can harness his raw defensive talent with the wisdom of many years, Rollins can soon emerge as a genuine lockdown defender.
The Bucks’ plan for reloading around star Giannis Antetokounmpo relies heavily on two-way contributors at other positions. As it currently stands, they need more help on defense, and Ryan Rollins has the perfect opportunity to step into an important role there. His growth on both sides of the ball, but especially as a perimeter stopper, can determine the Bucks’ ceiling.