Austin Rivers sees a surprise breakout brewing with the Bucks

The Bucks could be counting on a player who made a quiet but lasting impression last season, and Austin Rivers thinks his growth is becoming hard to overlook. On his podcast, “Off Guard with Austin Rivers.” He talked about the Milwaukee Bucks’ chances this season and singled out Kevin Porter Jr. as one of the key players his father, Doc Rivers, can rely on moving forward.

“You talk about the basketball gods rewarding someone who’s had his trials and tribulations. He was in a low level overseas league, I remember looking at him thinking ‘this guy is done.’ For him to be back in the NBA, but he’s a starting point guard for a competing Eastern Conference team, where it’s make or break, a lot of their season is depending upon his play,” Rivers said.

Austin Rivers giving Bucks’ Kevin Porter Jr. his flowers

Rivers expressed admiration for Kevin Porter Jr.’s resurgence, noting how impressive his current role is after spending time away from the NBA because of legal issues. He also praised the recognition Porter is beginning to receive within the Bucks organization.

“It’s remarkable. It shows how life works if you can just stay with it. It’s bigger than just basketball. This is a bigger role than he ever had in Houston.He’s a starting point guard and people are high on him… people believe he can be an All-Star talent.”

Porter Jr. brings plenty of talent, but he’s not the only intriguing guard in Milwaukee’s lineup. Bobby Portis recently spoke highly of Ryan Rollins, saying he has the tools to become a starter down the line. Still, it will take consistent effort from Rollins, Portis, Porter Jr., and the rest of the Bucks’ core to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo engaged and confident in the team’s direction.

Unfortunately for Milwaukee, Porter Jr. suffered a setback after turning his left ankle late in the first quarter of the team’s 133-120 season-opening win over the Washington Wizards. Doc Rivers admitted the injury “didn’t look good” and added that Porter would undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the extent of the damage.