In today's NBA, it's looking like every contender is absolutely required to have at least one player who can swing a game (or a series) with one good game.
For the Milwaukee Bucks, it was looking like that player might just be Kevin Porter Jr. for a time. Game after game, the 24-year-old guard had shown flashes of his potential since joining the team at the trade deadline. But his up-and-down performances as of late have also shown fans just how crucial he is to the Milwaukee Bucks’ success.
In their back-to-back losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors, Porter’s struggles were a reminder of what happens when the Milwaukee Bucks don’t have a reliable third scorer to complement Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
The new-look Milwaukee Bucks might need Kevin Porter Jr.'s offense
Against the Thunder, Porter’s impact was muted.
He finished with just 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting, even if all of his made shots were 3-pointers after attempting four. While his efficiency from beyond the arc was encouraging, his inability to generate consistent offense elsewhere was a problem.
With Kyle Kuzma also struggling (he shot 4-of-11 from the field en route to a meager 10-point outing), the Milwaukee Bucks’ offense became overly reliant on Giannis and Lillard, who combined for just 40 points but couldn’t carry the load alone.
To follow that miserable performance up, he responded with just two points, five rebounds, and two assists in 15 minutes against the Warriors in another losing effort.
With their preferred bench scorer in Bobby Portis out for an extended period, this is just what life is going to be like for Milwaukee: when Porter is on, the Bucks are a different team. At one point, it was even looking like the team had finally found its third scoring option. But when he's off, every game is a dogfight.
That's as much a credit to Porter's skill as it is a testament to the level that this Bucks roster is at offensively. His ability to score in bunches and create his own shot takes pressure off Giannis and Lillard, giving the offense a much-needed third dimension. But when he’s off, as he was against the Thunder, the Bucks’ lack of depth becomes painfully apparent.
It’s a bit of a balancing act for sure, but one that could determine the Milwaukee Bucks’ fate in the playoffs.
Kyle Kuzma was supposed to be the Bucks’ third scorer, the player who could step up when Giannis and Lillard were struggling. But his inconsistency has been a recurring issue that may not be solved any time soon as he gets used to this new system, and against the Thunder, he failed to deliver.
In theory, that should have been where Porter and his near-elite slashing come in. While he doesn’t have Kuzma’s size or versatility, Porter’s ability to create offense out of nothing makes him something of a safety valve for the Milwaukee Bucks. Whether it’s pulling up from deep, attacking the rim, or drawing fouls, Porter has the tools to be a difference-maker—when he’s on.
The challenge for the Bucks right now should be to find a way to get Porter in spots that allow him to succeed more consistently. Against the Thunder, the stout defense along the perimeter forced him to stay in spot-up duty, which simply doesn’t play to his strengths. For Porter to thrive, the Bucks need to put the ball in his hands and let him create while also getting him the space he needs to drive downhill with smart sets and screens at the top of the key.
In the playoffs, where defenses are tighter and margins are thinner, having a player who can create his own shot can make all the difference. Porter has shown he can be that player, but he needs to be more consistent.
Kevin Porter Jr. is the Milwaukee Bucks’ biggest X-factor, and their losses to the Thunder and the Warriors proved it.
When he’s on, the Bucks are a juggernaut, capable of overwhelming even the best defenses. But when he’s off, the Bucks’ lack of depth becomes a glaring issue. For the Bucks to make a deep playoff run, they need Porter (or really any of their score-first guys on the bench) to be more consistent. It’s a tall order, but one that could determine the fate of their season. If the Bucks can’t sort out who their true third-scoring option is, their championship dreams could be at risk.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.