Ryan Rollins looked like a legitimate All-Defensive Team candidate in that first half against Washington, and no, that's not an overreaction. He was absolutely suffocating.
It didn't take long to see the early makings of a potential All-Defensive guy in that first half of Milwaukee's 133-120 win against the Wizards in their season opener.
Rollins eventually finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in 29 minutes, but his impact went beyond the box score. He was everything you wanted and more defensively.
Ryan Rollins is officially the Bucks' latest hound dog
The numbers back up what the eye test screamed all night. Whether it was pressuring Kyshawn George relentlessly or putting pressure on the ball for deflections, Rollins did it all.
He was flying around screens, pressuring ball handlers full court, and rotating like he'd been in Milwaukee's system for years. Washington's guards couldn't get comfortable with him constantly in their airspace, disrupting passing lanes and forcing uncomfortable shots.
He finished the game with a defensive rating of 114.7, which was better than Antetokounmpo's 117.2.
"Our defensive intensity and just the way we played in the first half was terrific...I thought not having [Kevin Porter Jr.] out there was huge. I think Ryan and Cole can do the job but they weren't expecting to do the job," head coach Doc Rivers told reporters after the game.
The offensive struggles are real, of course. Some of his shot selections were questionable, and his handle got loose a few times, as evidenced by his 1-of-6 shooting clip from distance.
But Doc Rivers kept him out there for 29 minutes because the defensive value was undeniable. When you can impact winning that much without scoring, you earn trust fast. And even with the misses, there is a hope that these reps are needed to build consistency on offense.
That 6-foot-10 wingspan is a cheat code at the guard position. Rollins can contest shots that other defenders can't reach, deflect passes that look safe, and recover on drives that beat most guards. Combine that length with his motor, and you've got someone who can genuinely guard multiple positions.
Naturally, the story is going to be that Giannis Antetokounmpo's 37 points lifted the Bucks past the surging Wizards. But make no mistake: the Bucks may not get through this one without Rollins.
If Rollins can maintain this defensive intensity over 82 games while just being passable offensively, Milwaukee might've stumbled into their most valuable role player. Teams desperately need guards who can actually defend in today's perimeter-dominated league.
All-Defensive Team feels premature after one half of basketball, but the foundation is absolutely there. Rollins has the tools, the effort, and now the playing time to make a legitimate case by season's end.
This writer mentioned weeks before the season started that the blueprint was already set for Rollins to take that next step. And if this game is any indication, it seems the young guard is determined to rewrite the narrative around his game this season.
The offense will come. The defense is already here.