Dairyland Express
Fansided

Milwaukee Bucks: Bold Predictions for the Bench Unit

By Trevor Bender

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 11: Thanasis Antetokounmpo #43 of the Milwaukee Bucks controls the ball during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 11: Thanasis Antetokounmpo #43 of the Milwaukee Bucks controls the ball during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Milwaukee Bucks
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Bobby Portis #1 of the New York Knicks in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on March 06, 2020 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Knicks 126-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Bobby Portis

Bobby Portis was an underrated part of this offseason for Horst and company. He is not a star, like Jrue Holiday; he also is not a sharpshooter like Bryn Forbes. While Portis is not a star or a sharpshooter, Portis is a good player, and he likely will have a big role on the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2020-2021 NBA season.

Over the course of his NBA career, Portis has averaged 10.2 points per game. In his first two seasons, he scored less than 10 points per game, but he has not averaged less than 10 points per game since that time. Portis had his highest-scoring season in 2018-2019 when he averaged 14.2 points per game. Throughout his career, he has been a solid shooter, especially considering his size and the position he plays; Portis has a career 36 percent three-point percentage.

Portis has not played with a player that has the gravity that Giannis Antetokounmpo has. When Portis is on the floor with Antetokounmpo, he will provide the necessary spacing for Antetokounmpo to work in the paint. On the flip side, Antetokounmpo could allow for more open looks for Portis than what he has gotten in previous years.

Prediction: Bobby Portis will play in over 75 games for the first time in his career while putting up career-best in points per game (15.5) and three-point percentage (40.7 percent).

D.J. Wilson

The case of D.J. Wilson has been an interesting one over the course of his NBA career. There has always been a lot of potential for Wilson, but Milwaukee Bucks fans have not seen that consistently translate to production on the court.

Wilson is averaging just over 12 minutes per game in his 107 career games over the last three seasons. There is plenty of time for Wilson to get better as he is just 24 years old. The 2020-2021 season would be a great time for him to step up and carve out a bigger role, knowing that Portis and Wilson are the only two bench players that might be able to play meaningful time at the backup center position.

Because of this, I expect to see Wilson on the court more this regular season than in previous years. With increased playing time, we will see added hustle on the court from Wilson that will prove to be contagious.

Prediction: D.J. Wilson will lead the team in offensive rebounds (2.5 per game) while having the second-best plus-minus on the team only behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Torrey Craig

Torrey Craig is the only player on the Milwaukee Bucks that is known only for defense. Guys like Jrue Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez are good to great defenders but also bring firepower on the offensive end of the court as well. Craig does not have that kind of talent on offense.

I still think Craig can be an important part of this team as he will allow guys like Khris Middleton and Antetokounmpo to have easier matchups defensively when they are on the floor together. The hard part to gauge is how often that will happen. Based on the three preseason games, Craig was on the court for less than 15 minutes a game.

If Craig sees the floor for less than 15 minutes a game, I think that would be concerning because he is a truly elite defender. Think of Wesley Matthews’ level of defense but the ability to guard four of the five positions on the floor and potentially even all five depending on the players on the court for opposing teams.

Prediction: Torrey Craig will be a finalist for the NBA’s defensive player of the year while being named to his first NBA all-defensive first team. 

Home/Milwaukee Bucks