Analysts casting doubt on the Milwaukee Bucks is certainly nothing new, and they've now taken aim at the point guard rotation. When discussing every single team's most prominent weakness, ESPN's Kevin Pelton pinpointed his lack of trust in the floor generals.
"It's possible that two-way wings could prove a greater issue, but after Damian Lillard's Achilles injury and the club waiving him, Milwaukee is betting big on unproven point guards... However, none of them looks like a starter on a contender."
Bucks guards face significant pressure with more responsibility
For the first time in years, the Milwaukee Bucks don't have an All-Star caliber player running the point. Even before Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, they had Eric Bledsoe, who was a great piece. It's fair to wonder how the team will look under those circumstances.
Rather than big names, the Bucks are now relying on the trio of Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, and Cole Anthony to run things. To Pelton's point, none of them have significant starting experience on a team looking to contend, which is a tad worrisome, but everyone has to start somewhere. That's what happens when teams undergo a youth overhaul.
All these three guards can do is use the doubt as fuel as they look to hold things down for the Bucks.
Due to his starting experience and production as a starter during his time with the Houston Rockets, Porter feels like the likely lead point guard for Milwaukee. He averaged 17.2 points and six assists in 146 games in a Rockets jersey. Getting back to that level of productivity could be huge. With no clear-cut second option in town, Porter could seize the role for himself.
Rollins, who has a big fan in Doc Rivers, also cannot be ruled out in the starting sweepstakes. Even if he isn't the scorer that Porter is, he has defensive instincts that cannot be taught. Last season was the first taste of consistent NBA minutes for Rollins, so he's still far from polished. However, he had a tremendous year on a bum shoulder. Now, he's healthy and could take another leap.
Cole Anthony was a surprise pickup after his buyout from the Memphis Grizzlies. The guard seems destined for a bench role, giving Milwaukee a go-to bucket-getter and sparkplug in the second unit. Yet, as a full-time starter in 2021-22, Anthony did average 16.3 points per game, showing that he can perform when given a larger role.
It's not a perfect point guard plan, but the potential is there. Whether it's Porter's shot-making, Rollins' defense, or Anthony's do-it-all attitude, each of these players brings something different to the table. Proving they can command the position will be vital to Milwaukee's success.
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