It’s not even a debate anymore — Ryan Rollins is that guy.
Three games, three statement performances: 25 points against the Knicks, then 32 versus the Warriors, then 16 against the Kings. In all three, Rollins looked like the most complete guard on the floor.
The man has been everywhere, whether blowing up passing lanes, finishing through contact, or setting up teammates like he’s been running Doc Rivers’ offense for years. And with former starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. sidelined with injury, it's looking clearer by the day that Rollins now deserves that starting nod.
This isn't about KPJ getting hurt at a bad time. It's about Rollins proving he's the better fit for what Milwaukee needs from that starting guard spot. The defense alone makes this a no-brainer. Rollins brings the kind of versatility that Porter doesn't. It's no longer a difficult choice to make.
Ryan Rollins is surprising us all with his development early this season
What started as a feel-good bench spark has now turned into a full-blown lineup question. Milwaukee might’ve added Kevin Porter Jr. to add another scorer, but Rollins has made the case that the job is already filled. His poise in the pick-and-roll, unselfishness in the halfcourt, and defensive consistency make him a cleaner fit next to Giannis than KPJ’s ball-dominant style ever did.
Watch Rollins operate in transition, and it's obvious why he's taken over. He pushes pace, makes quick decisions, and doesn't need the ball in his hands for extended stretches to be effective. That's exactly what works alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. Porter needs more touches to find his rhythm, which clogs up the system.
Even more impressive: Rollins isn’t even necessarily hunting his own shots. He’s making the right reads, collapsing defenses, and defending at a level that Milwaukee’s second unit desperately needed last year. When he has to take what the defense gives him, he's shown he's more than capable of hitting the midrange. He's been a bona fide three-level scorer as of late: 3-point shooting, midrange pull-ups, finishing at the rim.
In short, the Bucks are winning his minutes decisively, and that’s not by accident. The scoring explosion is just gravy on top of everything else Rollins provides. In the past three games, he's shooting 64.3 percent from behind the 3-point line while also averaging 6.7 assists per game.
With Porter set to miss another four weeks at minimum after injuring his right meniscus in the middle of his post-sprain recovery, Rollins is only going to have more opportunities to show why he deserves to start in his place.
At this point, it feels like an obvious choice: once Porter Jr. returns, he should come off the bench. Rollins has earned the starting job the hard way: through production, balance, and buy-in.
The Bucks were hoping to find stability in their guard rotation. They might’ve accidentally found their future instead. And it wouldn't be the first time Rollins stole another Milwaukee Bucks player's role.
The starting spot is Rollins' job now. KPJ is going to have to earn it back, and based on what we've seen so far, that's going to be nearly impossible.