It didn't take long for Ryan Rollins to win over the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff.
With veteran backup point guard Delon Wright struggling mightily and the Bucks needing a jolt off of the bench, Rollins quickly earned a prominent role despite his two-way contract status. Given that he is a 22-year-old who has never seen major minutes, no one expected Rollins to be perfect; it would take time for him to develop, meaning there would be growing pains along the way.
Milwaukee's most recent matchup, a frustrating loss to the Boston Celtics, showed Rollins' struggles, but it also showed his potential.
The highs and lows of Ryan Rollins on full display
Early in the game against Boston, Rollins got picked on defensively. The Celtics understood just how inexperienced he was, and they went at him. Payton Pritchard particularly had success against him, as he went a perfect 3-of-3 with Rollins as he primary defender (to be fair, Pritchard gives every single one of Milwaukee's defenders a tough time he plays the Bucks).
It was a tough start for the young guard. However, rather than letting it rattle him, Rollins showed off his confidence and came back strong in the second half. The guard recorded three blocks during the final 24 minutes, flexing his defensive instincts and, on one particular play, some freakish athleticism as he authoritatively pinned the shot to the backboard.
In his five minutes of second half action, Rollins had the highest plus/minutes on the Bucks, finishing with a +5. For reference, Damian Lillard was a -22 in the second half.
Moving forward, Ryan Rollins will be the Milwaukee Bucks' backup point guard, overtaking veteran Delon Wright in a somewhat surprising twist. He has full-on been thrown head-first into the fire by Doc Rivers, who is desperately seeking some energy from his players. As he showed in the second half against the Boston Celtics, Rollins can certainly bring that, but he won't be perfect.
There will be slip-ups for Rollins along the way, but that is all a part of the development process for a younger player like this. Rather than rotting on the bench nightly, getting legitimate game reps could work wonders for Rollins' development and help the Milwaukee Bucks find a young contributor, which has been a glaring hole in this rotation for years now.
It's too early to tell, but given the potential he has flexed early, the Bucks may have a hidden gem on their hands in Rollins, and it's a breath of fresh air to see them trust him with extended minutes. The youngster could end up being a key cog if he continues developing in an upward trajectory.
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