The Milwaukee Bucks have always been in a relatively tepid situation when it comes to the development of their young players.
Arguably the last Milwaukee Bucks draft pick to definitively pan out in this league was shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo, who was eventually traded to the Sacramento Kings once he lost his starting spot to Grayson Allen. Before that, it was Malcolm Brogdon. Before him, possibly Giannis Antetokounmpo himself.
In the early days of the 2024 NBA preseason, one narrative is emerging from the Milwaukee Bucks: rookie AJ Johnson is quickly becoming a favorite of head coach Doc Rivers. As the Bucks navigate their exhibition games, Johnson's performance has not only caught the eye of fans but also solidified his role as a key player in Rivers' rotation, even over other roster mainstays.
Despite his reputation for not playing young guys, Doc Rivers actually has a relatively storied list of development success stories under his belt. Think of guys like Rajon Rondo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Maxey, who all blossomed into stars under his tutelage. If you're sensing a pattern, that's because there is one: they're all guards.
"I was a point guard, and that's probably not great for AJ. Rondo can attest to that: I'm not easy on point guards. Because they run the team. They do," Rivers told reporters postgame after a preseason loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bucks rookie is making the most of his preseason minutes so far
Enter 6-foot-5, 19-year-old rookie AJ Johnson.
From the moment he stepped on the court, Johnson has played like a man with something to prove. He’s raw and lanky, yes, but he’s got a blend of speed, agility, and playmaking that stands out even among the seasoned Milwaukee Bucks veterans.
In a preseason where most rookies are trying to simply find their footing, Johnson has gone the opposite route, firmly and decisively planting his flag on the Milwaukee Bucks' rotation thus far. It’s hard to deny that Doc Rivers, who has a bit of a track record of his own in developing young guards, seems to have found his favorite in Johnson.
AJ Johnson, drafted this year, has shown remarkable potential during the preseason. In a recent exhibition game against the Los Angeles Lakers, he showcased his scoring ability, finishing with 13 points, including three 3-pointers and three assists.
He's still rough around the edges and may need further mentorship to get the game to slow done, but his shooting touch and playmaking skills have made him a standout, especially in crucial moments when his team needs a spark. This performance is indicative of why Rivers appears to be leaning heavily on the young guard.
While the team's other young players have struggled to find their footing, Johnson has logged significant minutes, often surpassing more seasoned players. In their matchup against the Bulls, he played pivotal minutes off the bench, demonstrating not only his scoring prowess but also his ability to contribute in various facets of the game.
He's played 20.3 minutes per game through three contests now, and this trend of increased playing time quite plainly signals Rivers' trust in Johnson as a player who can handle pressure and deliver when it counts.
Johnson’s story with the Bucks this preseason isn’t just about flashy stats; it's about substance. When you watch him move without the ball, orchestrate the offense or commit to defense, you see a player who's crafty beyond his years.
In the Bucks’ most recent games, he’s been thrown into high-pressure situations that demand more than just rookie energy — they require poise, quick decision-making and a natural feel for the game.
In the second half against the Chicago Bulls, with the game close and the momentum swinging, it was Johnson who found himself running the point. The rookie dished out timely assists, showcased his perimeter defense, signalling his readiness for bigger moments. He ended up playing the entire fourth period and finished with 20 minutes that game, even tying Bobby Portis for most minutes off the bench.
Doc Rivers is giving Milwakee's youngest Buck the minutes he needs
Thus far, Rivers' confidence in Johnson is evident. Even after Johnson's bad games, Rivers is clearly giving him the benefit of the doubt. After a poor shooting night versus the Chicago Bulls in which Johnson shot 2-of-15 from the field, the Milwaukee Bucks head tactician had this to say of the young guard in his post-game presser:
"He's just gotta finish. He's getting to the basket, he's not finishing. It seems like he's trying to get the shot off before contact, you know, I'm sure that's because he weighs like a buck 50. But he's going to be a good finisher, he's going to be better than that."
Despite Johnson's rise, he still most definitely faces stiff competition from other young players on the roster. But one thing is clear: his consistent performances have set him apart from the pack.
Johnson’s ability to maintain composure and deliver under pressure could ultimately secure him a more prominent role as the season approaches. Building up strength and improving on the defensive side of the ball could go a long way toward securing him more minutes.
As the Milwaukee Bucks continue their preseason journey, AJ Johnson's emergence as a favorite under Doc Rivers cannot be overlooked. With each game, he solidifies his place in the rotation and showcases why he may very well be one of the biggest steals of the 2024 NBA Draft.
"He's going to learn all that. There's times like, you know, I even tell the guys that work with him, 'Don't say anything, let him fill it,' and then there's times that we probably overcoach him. But we believe in him, you know, so he's going to get a lot of instruction," Rivers also said after the loss to the Lakers.
If this trend continues, fans can expect to see much more of Johnson as he runs away with prominent minutes over his counterparts. The combination of Rivers’ coaching prowess and Johnson’s raw talent could prove to be a winning formula for the Milwaukee Bucks this season.
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