The Bucks may have a fascinating G-League prospect on their hands

One relatively under-the-radar storyline that fans are keeping track of is the aging of Brook Lopez, who's set to turn 37 by the end of this coming season. The hulking center has always been part and parcel of the Milwaukee Bucks' frontcourt attack, and for the past few years, his rim protection has been arguably the most important component of their defensive strategy.

As it currently stands, Milwaukee's young bucks give them a wealth of options who can potentially take over the roles of stars like Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton in the future. Assuming their development goes smoothly, the young core gives them shooting, playmaking, and perimeter defense, but no possible Brook Lopez replacement has sprung up yet - until now.

The Milwaukee Bucks may have unearthed a gem in the G-League with Liam Robbins, a player whose impact extends far beyond the stat sheet. As the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks' G-League affiliate, recently acquired Robbins’ returning player rights, anticipation is building around what he can bring to the team this season.

Liam Robbins' preseason campaign has Bucks fans thinking

The 25-year-old Robbins signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Milwaukee Bucks at the end of August to be part of the training camp roster. He made his preseason debut against the Pistons, a match where he demonstrated his defensive chops by blocking three shots.

He didn't come out of nowhere. The 7-foot center has been making waves since his collegiate days at Vanderbilt. In his final season with the Commodores, Robbins averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and a whopping 3.2 blocks per game. Furthermore, he got these numbers while also shooting 36.5 percent from distance.

In the fifth and final preseason matchup against Dallas, Robbins ended up starting at the center position altogether. Despite running into early foul trouble, he went on to make four of his eight shot attempts en route to a decent nine points, three rebounds, and three assists in 20 minutes of action as a starter. Not bad for an Exhibit 10 contract.

If his preseason games are any indication, his ability to protect the rim and score efficiently has translated well into his professional career.

While Robbins' statistics are noteworthy, his defensive prowess is evident not just in blocks but in his overall presence. Robbins has a keen understanding of positioning and timing, allowing him to alter shots and disrupt offensive flow without always needing to register a block.

That's a big deal, considering how rare consistent rim protection without fouling is in the association. Maintain that reputation for a long enough time, and rim protection by way of blocking shots at the rim turns into rim deterrence, where players respect you enough not to attempt any shots around you in the first place. You see that with players like Lopez and Rudy Gobert, and while Liam Robbins is nowhere close to that level just yet, there are shades of the consistency there.

Past that, Robbins has demonstrated versatility in his game. He can already step out to the perimeter and hit jumpers, which obviously adds a layer to his offensive skill set that makes him a valuable asset for the modern NBA. His ability to stretch the floor could be crucial for a Milwaukee Bucks team running a five-out offense that thrives on spacing and ball movement.

He has a ways to go, but Liam Robbins' potential with Bucks is clear

Shortly before the Bucks' final exhibition matchup versus Dallas, they added big man Henry Ellenson to an Exhibit 10 contract, prompting speculation that Robbins' contract could be elevated to a two-way slot.

It's once you add the different parts of his game together that the potential to be a Brook Lopez-esque player becomes clear. When you have an interior force like Giannis Antetokounmpo, having a frontcourt partner who can stretch the floor and play good defense is always going to be a priority.

With the preseason ending soon, all eyes will be on how Robbins integrates into the team's system and what role he might carve out for himself if the Bucks do decide to retain him. With established stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way, Robbins has a unique opportunity to learn from some of the best while contributing to a championship-contending squad.

Of course, potential is just that at the end of the day, and Robbins will have to do much more to prove he deserves a spot on an NBA roster. But at the moment, Robbins represents more than just another name on a roster; he embodies potential—a blend of size, skill, and determination that could make him a fascinating prospect for both the Bucks and their fans.

As he continues to develop in the G-League under the watchful eye of Milwaukee's coaching staff, there is genuine excitement about what lies ahead for this promising young player.

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