Comparing current Bucks' bench to 2021 championship bench
By Rudy LB
Comparing the Bucks bigs
The Bigs- Portis, D.J. Wilson and Mamadi Diakite (2021) vs. Portis, Chris Livingston and Taurean Prince (2024)
Advantage: 2021 Bucks.
The advantage here has to go to that 2021 group, simply because Portis is 2021 was magnetic. In just over 20 minutes of bench minutes per game, Portis shot 53 percent from the field and averaged over 11 points per game. His energy and reputation were just beginning.
Mamadi Diakite currently plays for Memphis, and Wilson is trying to hook on with the 76ers. But their 2021 seasons were so important for Milwaukee. The spark and energy they brought off the bench was great for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 2024-2025 bunch is not necessarily young, sure. Beauchamp and Andre Jackson Jr. could provide that spark for the 2024-25 squad, but for the 2020-21 team, that spark came from Jordan Nwora, Sam Merrill, Wilson and another key piece many people forget: Torey Craig. During that season, Craig was 28 and really provided some stability and energy.
Of course, I wish I had a crystal ball. Only time will tell, of course, if this year’s bench is more productive under head coach Doc Rivers than the championship bench was under Coach Bud. But for now, the Bucks simply need better play from the young Bucks. If their winless Summer League performance was any indication, they have a long way to go.
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