Taylor Jenkins is wasting no time getting Brayden Burries out of his comfort zone.
The Milwaukee Bucks brought Jenkins in because of what he can do with young players, and Burries’ early comments already show that side of the coach at work. The combo guard said Jenkins has been pressing him to become more of a vocal presence.
Interviewer: Anything specific [Taylor Jenkins] has held you accountable on so far already?
Burries: Just talking more. Being more vocal.
That's what I'm trying to learn. Trying to be better at.
Being more vocal and being a more talkative guy.
That may sound like a small thing, but it says a lot about how Jenkins is approaching Burries. He is not treating the rookie like someone who should just settle in and figure it out slowly. Instead, he is challenging him right away to add something new to his game, something that can stick with him well beyond this first stretch in Milwaukee.
If Burries is already getting comfortable speaking up in Summer League, that should only make him more ready when the NBA season begins. Then he can keep building the basketball side of his game - shot-making, defense and everything else - without still trying to catch up on the leadership piece.
There is also a bigger reason the Bucks are paying such close attention to Burries. A player taken 10th overall can end up shaping a franchise for years, and Milwaukee has not had a draft pick that high in a long time.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton gone, the Bucks need Burries to hit. Jenkins is there to help make that happen.
The fit is easy to understand when you look at Jenkins’ track record. He had major success with Ja Morant while coaching the Memphis Grizzlies, and Morant went from Rookie of the Year to a multi-time All-Star.
Burries is not entering the league with that same level of hype, but he is still a strong prospect. If Jenkins can help unlock him the way he helped Morant, Milwaukee has a real chance to like what comes next.
Burries has already shown some rookie nerves in Summer League, but he has also flashed real upside. With Jenkins guiding him, that potential should keep showing up.
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