Often, the Milwaukee Bucks are criticized for relying too much on their veteran players like Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Bobby Portis.
However, while they have a strong veteran squad, we can’t forget about the rookies who are making waves and are of importance to the team as well. Portis was quick to point out how the young players are valuable to the team and the Bucks’ rotation.
Milwaukee Bucks Young Players Show Up and Show Out
With starters Malik Beasley and Middleton sidelined in Milwaukee’s 146-114 win against the Detroit Pistons, coach Adrian Griffin went to his young stars in MarJon Beauchamp and Andre Jackson Jr. to step up and they surely proved their worth on the court.
Beauchamp is in his second year with Milwaukee, and was able to get Saturday’s game off and running scoring the first seven points for the Bucks and ended up finishing his night with 11 points, six rebounds and two steals. He also played 13 minutes in Sunday’s win over the Houston Rockets, but didn’t score any points. Jackson Jr. on Saturday scored 10 points, and had eight rebounds in Saturday’s game, and showed up again on Sunday playing 36 minutes and scored nine points, along with six rebounds and four assists.
Portis said that the younger players are putting in the work behind-the-scenes and it shows on the court when it matters most.
“You see Dre, you see Mars, all the young guys in the gym on a daily basis, grinding, working on their games, getting better.” Portis said.
The Minutes Count
With the Bucks having such a heavy veteran squad, it can become a bit difficult at times for all the young players to get their minutes in, but so far, both Beauchamp and Jackson have been ready when the Bucks need them and are always working. Portis said that the most important thing is being ready whenever the team needs you to step up, and the young players have been doing that.
“That’s the only job you have in the league is to get better on a day-to-day basis and be ready whenever your number is called. And I think they’ve been doing a tremendous job of that throughout the season, even when sometimes they don’t play. They don’t hang their head, they just always stay ready.”
