The Milwaukee Bucks have been pleading for more depth, energy and youth on the roster.
In the final few games of the regular season, they may have found what they've been looking for due to the trio of Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. In their latest game against the New Orleans Pelicans, this group accounted for 87 of Milwaukee's 111 points if we also account for the assists made to their other teammates.
They conducted themselves as if this was a statement game with both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard out. They surely recognize that what they have in front of them is an opportunity of a lifetime. They’re not ready to give up on the season. They displayed so many positive aspects in that game that showcase how they can provide value to this team going forward.
They bring energy to both ends
What the Bucks have struggled with all season is forcing turnovers and scoring in transition. They average 7.3 steals per game, which is the fourth-worst in the league. They also average 7.8 field goals in transition, which is the eighth-worst in the association. Those two stats go hand-in-hand, as the most common way to score in the fast break is by creating turnovers. Against the Pelicans, the Bucks had 10 steals. After forcing the turnover, they were able to score seven times in transition.
Ryan Rollins had four steals, and KPJ had two. Half of those steals for both players came in the fourth quarter. Their activity on defense played a big part in their victory. Moving forward, that kind of energy and focus on defense could play a big difference in winning games in the playoffs.
That’s especially the case when you have someone like Giannis, who is virtually unstoppable when he’s going full speed in transition. This is a strength that they hardly use this season. The Bucks are mostly a half-court offense. This could change if Ryan Rollins continues to be a pest on defense and to play the passing lanes as well as he has. Those kinds of plays are momentum changers and could uplift the energy of the team.
They possess high-level shot creation
Gary Trent Jr. led the way with 29 points, which was his season-high, and he was making shots from all over the court. He was scoring in the mid-range, in the post and off the dribble from behind the arc. That kind of performance makes you wonder if he’s been underused this season.
The Milwaukee Bucks are lacking shot-creators with the absence of Lillard, and Trent has proven various times he can fill that void. This is the time to get him off the leash and let him cook.
Kevin Porter Jr. is also showing signs of improvement. He has scored over 20 points in back-to-back games, and he’s scored that many in three of the last five games. He’s also shot 55 percent from the field and 57 percent from three during that span. He is starting to get confidence in his shot. The way he can break down the defense with his quickness and ball-handling makes him such a threat. That then opens up the perimeter for him, and he’s been taking full advantage.
But the biggest surprise has been Ryan Rollins. He continues to excel in his new role, showing a lot of maturity against New Orleans. There were instances when he was surrounded by defenders as he made his move to the basket. He displayed patience and didn’t force a bad pass when pressured. He took his time and found open teammates for easy shots.
That allowed Rollins to post a career-high 10 assists. He proved that he is not one-dimensional. The stat line that he posted of 14 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and four steals showed that he could impact the game in a multitude of ways.
The greatest underdog story?
Those three players have to be ready to step up in the playoffs. Giannis has shown in the last three that he doesn’t plan on winning games by himself. Him posting over 10 assists each time proves that he’s willing to trust his teammates. This last stretch of games has shown that this trio is not taking this opportunity lightly. This is their chance to play a meaningful role in the playoffs.
Who knows if they’ll get another opportunity like this again. Ryan Rollins is playing the most that he’s ever had in his short career. Kevin Porter Jr. has been given a second chance to prove that he can help a team win. Gary Trent Jr. is out to prove that he’s good enough to be a starter like he once was with the Toronto Raptors. Nobody is expecting much from this group. Is this their chance to shock the world? Time will tell.