Ryan Rollins reflected on the Bucks’ loss in Brooklyn, stressing the need for more consistent play on both ends of the floor.
As hunting season comes to a close, Doc Rivers’ Bucks squad still finds themselves in the crosshairs after an embarrassing 82-127 loss to the Nets. The Brooklyn beatdown brings them to 11-16 on the season, good for 10th in the Eastern Conference.
While Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo remains out with a calf strain that will keep him sidelined until at least the New Year, Rivers’ squad digs deep into their rotation.
Bucks Rely on Rotation Players for Production
One player who has taken a significant step up this season is guard Ryan Rollins. Rollins was acquired on a two-way contract in the 2023-24 season after being waived by the Wizards.
In the 45-point loss to the lottery-bound Nets, the Bucks relied on young guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Rollins to establish any creativity on offense.
“It was an embarrassing performance for us. We just got to play better on offense… and defense,” Rollins said.
Unlike Wisconsin hunters, the Bucks shot woefully from the field and from behind the arc. 39% from the field and 23% from deep were enough to stop the Bucks from winning through any quarter of the game.
With Antetokounmpo out, Rollins and Porter Jr. were the primary ball handlers and offense starters. Rollins and Porter Jr. combined for just 7-24 shooting on the night.
Rollins and Porter Jr. take charge to improve team offense.
Rollins advises that the ball be spread out more evenly to generate a more productive offense.
“We have to do a way better job of getting to the middle, getting kick-outs, and being aggressive in our areas to get everyone else shots,” Rollins said.
12 of the team's 20 assists were from the duo, but so were eight turnovers. Rollins acknowledges the need for the pair to pick up their leadership on the court.
“We’re the frontrunners for sure. We’ll have the ball to start offenses,” Rollins said.
The guard partnership struggled to create against the young Nets squad. However, the former second-round pick Rollins is averaging 19.0 points per game after just 5.1 through his first three seasons in the league. Now, as one of the primary ball handlers, he is learning to spread the ball and get the offense flowing.
“I might not have the same amount of shots, but that goes for everybody; everybody will eat,” Rollins said.
Rollins and Porter Jr. are both averaging a career-high in assists with 6.0 and 6.9, respectively, as their offensive responsibilities mount.
The Bucks aim to continue to develop their young guards, such as Rollins and Porter Jr., to maintain their competitiveness with Antetokounmpo as the primary option.