The reeling 1-6 Milwaukee Bucks host another reeling team Thursday night, the Utah Jazz, who mirror their host’s record. Both teams are on opposite ends of overall expectations. However, both teams still want their second win. With that in mind, Bucks coach Doc Rivers moved today to change up his starting lineup, hoping it would ignite some spark in his team to get on track.
Bucks Coach Doc Rivers Creates Shift In Starting Lineup
Gary Trent Jr. Out, Andre Jackson Jr. In
Sometimes, that’s all it takes—a minor tweak to cause a spark. That’s the lifeline Rivers is hanging onto right now. Leading up to Thursday night’s matchup with the Jazz, the Bucks will tip off with Andre Jackson Jr. in place of Gary Trent Jr. This update comes from NBA insider Chris Haynes. The second-year point guard has seen his minutes increase quickly in Milwaukee’s last three games. He played just 13 minutes total in the first four. His best game so far came in the Bucks’ second half of the home-and-home against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He scored seven points while also adding seven rebounds and two assists.
As for Trent Jr., he has struggled mightily in his first season alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, his former teammate in Portland. Trent is averaging just 8.0 PPG, 1.6 RPG, and 1.0 APG, and his shot is bleeding. Known for his three-point abilities throughout his career, they appear to be flailing in the wind in Milwaukee. He’s good for 38.3% for his career, so the assumption is he’s just off to a slow start with a new team and his struggles won’t last. Perhaps that’s why his coach is moving him to the bench—throwing a stone into the water to see what ripple effect ensues, so to speak, hoping that Trent Jr’s shot will come alive in a second unit role.
No Disrespect, but Utah is the Perfect “Turn the Corner” Game
If Milwaukee is going to get their act together, let it be against the Jazz, whose season carries the opposite expectations than that of the Bucks. Milwaukee is supposed to be a championship contender, not a dweller of the Eastern Conference basement. The more they lose games, the more questions circle the heads of Giannis and Rivers. Statistically speaking, both superstars—Giannis and Dame—are playing up to their expectations. Lillard is averaging 27.6 PPG and 39.1% from three. Antetokounmpo is playing even better, notching 31.0 PPG on 63.3% from the field. Even in the absence of Khris Middleton, it’s hard to imagine the Bucks in their current state with those numbers being so high.
But that’s where Rivers comes in, shifting the role pieces around. Trent Jr. was brought in to add productivity from a rotation spot, and he’s not living up to that. So, to wake him up, Rivers probably sees an opportunity in moving him off the bench. We’ll find out soon enough if the move works. It’s apparent that Milwaukee needs more help from the “others,” Brook Lopez included. The veteran big man is also struggling, averaging only 10.9 PPG and below 40% from the field.
There’s not much else Rivers can do at this point. Either way, one of these 1-6 teams will grab their second win of the season Thursday night. Rivers is praying that his roster change involving Trent Jr. will help in that endeavor.
