We have seen lesser-known NBA players speed to surprising starts in the past. It's not incredibly uncommon for guys to come out of the gates hot when they're finally given a bigger role on a team, in large part because opposing teams don't have these players at the top of their scouting reports, and the guy can catch teams by surprise. In other words, they succeed because they haven't earned the respect to be feared yet.
Ryan Rollins is no longer catching anyone by surprise — he's near the top of every teams scouting report. But the 23 year-old continues to play like a starting-caliber guard almost nightly. Rollins posted his sixth 20-plus point game this season on Monday, doing most of that scoring with Giannis sidelined.
At some point (perhaps right now), the NBA will be forced to accept that Rollins might simply be this good. Bucks fans aren't interested in rushing that along, though, as Rollins still being slept on is the easiest way for him to keep finding success. Right now, Rollins is at the point of a breakout where other teams are basically daring him to prove that his hot start wasn't a fluke, and... He's proving it!
Rollins leads Bucks after Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves game with injury
On Monday, when Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo left with injury, it seemed like the Bucks would roll over and die. Not the case! The Bucks fought until the bitter end against one of the best teams in basketball.
Rollins' efficiency wasn't ideal in the second half, when Giannis was out of the game: 6 for 16 for 15 points. To that, I ask, who cares? This team has a 23 year-old guard who can get 16 shots up with Giannis on the bench and at least score enough to keep the team within shouting distance — that feels like more of a win than anything! Rollins obviously won't have to play without Giannis too much, and everyone's efficiency gets worse when the star player isn't on the floor.
Ryan Rollins might not be "unstoppable," as he's been, well, stopped a few times. But the early-season dismissals of Rollins' explosive start have now died down, because even as he becomes the second-most important name on the Bucks' scouting report, he continues to produce.
That's the difference between guys who have a nice flash and guys who consistently put up numbers in this league. With every stellar game, Rollins looks more and more like he'll fall into that second category. We're nearing the one-month mark of the season, and Rollins is still posting a statline of 17 & 5 on over 50 percent shooting from the floor. He's officially earned the right to be feared.