Ryan Rollins is struggling to start the season, so much so that the Milwaukee Bucks have decided to bring him off the bench. The player who broke out last season with exceptional scoring numbers has been absent, and the Bucks need him back. Perhaps Rollins can return to form by leaning on one of his greatest strengths last season: his ability to pressure defenses by driving and scoring.
Rollins' drives were a weapon last season
While he was exceptional all-around last season, Rollins drives were particularly great during his rise with the Bucks. He led the team in drives, finishing with 1,161—Kevin Porter Jr. was second at 832—and was incredibly efficient when looking to score. He averaged 7.3 points per matchup on drives, shooting 51.3 percent on those shots. It was always a crutch he could lean on.
This season, though, he's averaging just 4.7 points while shooting 40.5 percent on his drives. Rollins is averaging three fewer drives per game than he did during his career year. The dip in attempts and the inefficiency have plagued him. If there were ever an area of his game he can use to get him out of this slump, it would be the drives. He just needs to get back into form, and this is a good starting spot.
Jumpers aren't the answer for now
At this rate, Rollins just needs to see anything go through the hoop to build his confidence back up—he's shooting just 34.5 percent on the season. In theory, getting a few shots to fall at the rim and get to the free throw line if there's contact, is easier than heaving jumpers, especially when the guard has hit just 32.3 percent of his jump shots this year.
It doesn't help that the Milwaukee Bucks have been in the bottom portion of the NBA in perimeter shooting efficiency, allowing defenses to clog the lane and sag off the long line. Perhaps more time with a strong shooter in AJ Green off the bench can help better space the floor for Rollins and give him more room to attack the hoop so authoritatively like he did last year.
It sounds so simple. "Just attack the hoop." Of course, it's far easier said than done, but Rollins needs anything at this point. One or two quick buckets inside could spark the turnaround the Bucks need as their slow start painfully drags on.
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