Cole Anthony's performance as of late portrays a player who simply demands to be noticed. Four preseason games in, and he's already looking like the steal of the offseason. And even after everything he's shown in the past, nobody really saw it coming.
Through four preseason games, he put up 9.5 points, three rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Production-wise, it's clear he does a bit of everything. He's also doing it with enviable efficiency: 50 percent from deep, 50 percent from the field in just 15.8 minutes per game.
So yes, that's legitimate sixth man production from a guy the Bucks signed for basically nothing after Orlando gave up on him. And at this point, his looming breakout is becoming a matter of when it happens, not if. Because he's looking sharper and more confident than ever.
Cole Anthony is becoming undeniable for the Milwaukee Bucks
The all-round nature of his game is the most impressive thing. Anthony isn't just scoring when he's on the floor. He's facilitating, rebounding, and making winning plays that don't always show up in the box score. Milwaukee desperately needed someone who could come off the bench and run the offense without everything falling apart. They might've found him.
The shooting efficiency is what really jumps off the page. Fifty percent from three on decent volume means defenses actually have to respect him beyond the arc, which creates space for everyone else. That's the kind of gravity Milwaukee has been missing from their bench units for years.
Don't let his 6-foot-2 frame fool you, either. He's far from an incompetent defender, and the stats prove it. Just a season ago, he was holding opposing guards to 45.8 percent shooting, per tracking data on NBA.com/stats. What he lacks in height, he more than makes up for in heart.
Perhaps fans tend to forget that Anthony averaged 14.2 points, five rebounds, and 4.6 assists through his first three NBA seasons with Orlando. That only means that this very clearly isn't some fluke hot streak; it's a proven scorer rediscovering his game in a situation that better suits his talent.
The per-minute production suggests Anthony could give Milwaukee even more if they bump his minutes up. Per 36 minutes, his preseason stats shoot up to 21.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and eight assists. That's an All-Star impact coming off the bench.
Doc Rivers has to be thrilled with what he's seeing. Anthony fits perfectly into what Milwaukee needs: someone who can score in bursts, doesn't need the ball in his hands constantly, and can create for others when Giannis sits. Plus, he's got real NBA experience and isn't going to fold under pressure.
If this is what Cole Anthony looks like in meaningless preseason games, imagine what he'll do when the stakes actually matter. Milwaukee might've found their microwave scorer without even trying.
Every now and then, some players just demand to be noticed. This is one of those times. Bucks fans would be wise to realize what they have on their hands.
Because when they say Giannis doesn't have help, they're wrong.