As the preseason comes to a close, the Milwaukee Bucks lost their final game to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but there were plenty of positives on display. Ryan Rollins and Cole Anthony were excellent off the bench, showing just how important they will be as a one-two punch.
Anthony was a real spark with his scoring, ending the night with 21 points on 7-for-11 (63.6 percent) shooting and making 5-of-6 (83.3 percent) from three, while also adding two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Rollins finished with 13 points on 5-for-6 (83.3 percent) shooting.
Rollins and Anthony provide an extra punch to the Bucks' bench unit
Doc Rivers has made it clear what his starting lineup will be ahead of the upcoming NBA season. Kevin Porter Jr. looks set to start at point guard, along with Gary Trent Jr., AJ Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Myles Turner as the starting center. That leaves Rollins and Anthony to assist Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma off the bench.
Many have criticized the Bucks' backcourt this offseason, but they do have versatility and a variety of skill sets. Both Rollins and Anthony wreaked havoc on Tuesday night. Their energy was infectious, and they showed the offensive punch that they can provide. Both players have shot efficiently from deep, something the Milwaukee Bucks need surrounding Giannis.
One concern with this new-look Bucks roster is how effective they can be when Giannis heads to the bench. There will be a drop off when one of the best players in the world sits, and there will be times when it is difficult to watch. However, Rollins and Anthony will make the game scrappy if needed, and along with Portis, they will head onto the court with overwhelming energy for some teams.
When the Bucks moved on from Jrue Holiday to acquire Damian Lillard, their backcourt defense had struggled. Too often, the guards were hunted for mismatches, and the Bucks tried numerous players but never found the solution. Anthony has been labelled as an X-factor for this Bucks roster, and it is clear to see why. In preseason, he has shown the type of defense he can bring, and with Turner as the center, Milwaukee can switch more and not worry about mismatches like they did with Brook Lopez.
There are still decisions to be made about the roster, particularly at the wing position. The guards look set, and there will be plenty of rotation from Rivers with the flexibility the roster now possesses. Rollins and Anthony have shown their value in the preseason, and the punch off the bench is something the Milwaukee Bucks need.