The Milwaukee Bucks are already feeling the absence of starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. It is quite evident that the team cannot dribble and/or create offense as well without him running the show. His presence is sorely missed already, and they need him back sooner than later.
After Porter scored 10 points in only nine minutes in the Bucks' opening night victory over the Washington Wizards, he sprained his ankle and did not return. Head coach Doc Rivers indicated it was a bad sprain, though the good news was that Porter was back on the bench without a walking boot for the 122-116 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Porter's absence has forced Doc Rivers into an immediate and unexpected reshuffling of the team's backcourt rotation. His absence is significant because the team has entrusted him with the starting point guard role following the departure of Damian Lillard.
Although he's not a true point guard, shooting guard Ryan Rollins was inserted into Porter's starting spot, with Cole Anthony backing him up. Although Rollins had a solid game against the Raptors with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals in 30 minutes, the Bucks were clearly missing that spark that Porter provides.
Backcourt depth and playmaking strain
The most noticeable part of Porter's absence is the instant strain put on the team's guard depth, as well as overall playmaking. He is now the floor general and was pegged to be the primary ball-handler and shot-creator outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
His injury almost instantly removes a key player who found his footing and efficiency (11.7 points, 3.7 assists on high efficiency) during his run with the Bucks last season. It has also thrust younger, less experienced guards into critical roles, which will test their overall depth.
With Ryan Rollins stepping in as the starter until Porter returns, his offensive consistency, specifically his shooting and his ability to create offense, remains a question mark. Rollins' dribbling is also suspect at times, in comparison.
Cole Anthony will see increased minutes off the bench as the backup point guard until Porter returns. He instantly provides scoring punch, as he scored 23 points in 27 minutes against the Raptors. Anthony does have the tendency to get into foul trouble, though, as he has done so these first two games of the season, which could limit his floor time.
Weakening the secondary scoring threat
Porter was viewed by many as the Milwaukee Bucks' likely second-leading scorer behind Antetokounmpo this season. His ability to create his own shot and knock down efficient 3-pointers (he shot 40 percent from deep with the Bucks last season) provided crucial offensive versatility.
There will now be added pressure on role players. With Porer sidelined, the responsibility for secondary scoring and shot creation will not fall more heavily on players such as Myles Turner and Gary Trent Jr.
While they are no doubt talented and can score, they may not be as comfortable consistently generating offense from the perimeter as Porter.
There will also be an increased burden on Giannis Antetokounmpo. Without a reliable primary point guard to run the offense and penetrate defenses, Antetokounmpo might be forced to shoulder an even greater offensive burden early in the season, risking overexertion or limiting his ability to operate in the paint.
Complicating the early season rotation
Porter's injury has already been compounded by other minor ailments, which have forced Doc Rivers to scramble the rotation. The injury woes worsen when a player like Kyle Kuzma is also temporarily sidelined, as he was injured in the victory over the Raptors and also left with a sprained ankle.
Doc Rivers noted that Porter's injury seemed to affect the team's overall rhythm, specifically their ball movement and defensive intensity. His absence forces the Bucks to lean heavily on unproven backcourt options, which threatens the team's offensive flow. It also prematurely tests the depth that the organization worked hard to establish in the offseason.