Ryan Rollins continues to be an important part of the Bucks' defense by picking up opposing point guards full-court. As his offensive game develops, Rollins has maintained his defensive tenacity to provide strong value on both ends of the court. For the Bucks, he has brought defensive intensity that no one else on the roster can match.
Ryan Rollins is propping up the Bucks' defense
Rollins has quickly emerged as a breakout player for the Bucks and arguably one of the most improved players in the entire NBA.
His offensive play has been a welcome sight for a Bucks team short on isolation scorers outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo. But the backbone of Rollins' game has always been defense - it's what first gave him a shot on the Milwaukee Bucks last season, and what elevated him to a starter this season.
The NBA as a whole is using the full-court press more than it has for years. After the Thunder and Pacers found success with that defensive strategy in last season's playoffs, many teams have tried to copy the model to varying degrees of success. Rollins is one of the few in the league who can actually implement it well for a full game. The Bucks have been needing two-way play from the point guard position like this since they traded away Jrue Holiday, and Rollins is finally here to deliver.
He's got boundless energy to keep hounding defenders for the entire game, and his big point guard frame (6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan) makes him an ideal disruptive defender. Oftentimes, he can force some additional turnovers each game by applying relentless pressure. It's led him to 2.3 steals per game, one of the top marks in the league.
Even when Rollins doesn't get steals right away, his defense can still wear down opposing point guards over the course of a game. Look at the Bucks' recent victory over the Knicks for a prime example. Knicks guard Jalen Brunson finished with 36 points, but had 23 of those in the first half.
His scoring and playmaking got worse and worse as the game went on, and Rollins kept applying pressure. The Bucks were finally able to come all the way back from a double-digit lead and win the game. It wouldn't have been possible without Rollins' defensive pressure.
The Bucks have thrived offensively this season, but maintaining a solid defense will also be key to their long-term success. Ryan Rollins gives them a viable perimeter defender to complement Giannis and Myles Turner on the inside. Rollins' willingness to apply pressure for the whole game has already paid dividends for the Bucks, and will be a key component of their defense going forward.