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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 goals for D.J. Wilson’s rookie season

By Josh Cornelissen

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: DJ Wilson #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: DJ Wilson #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 18: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Houston Rockets has his shot attempt blocked by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center on January 18, 2017 in Houston, Texas. 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 Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 18: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Houston Rockets has his shot attempt blocked by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center on January 18, 2017 in Houston, Texas. 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 Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

4. Get a block and a steal per 36 minutes

The best defensive forwards can combine a variety of skills. From protecting the rim to guarding on the perimeter, hedging on screens or leaping into passing lanes, the ability to fill many roles as the need arises keeps players on the floor and their teams successful. That’s the impact D.J. Wilson must aspire to.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the embodiment of this, with the length of a center and the agility of a guard. He averaged 1.64 steals and 1.89 blocks per game last season, part of leading the Bucks in five major categories (along with points, rebounds and assists). If Wilson can learn from his example, he will be able to quickly carve out a role in this league.

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Wilson has the athletic gifts and skillset to reach that benchmark. In all, 46 players who averaged at least 10 minutes per game did last season, including teammates Antetokounmpo and Michael Beasley. That’s the impact Kidd looks for among his forwards.

Last season at Michigan Wilson easily cleared the benchmark in blocks, as his athleticism allowed him to recover and get high enough to swat away shot attempts. He even blocked a few shots out on the perimeter as his long arms closed the distance to shooters.

He averaged just half a steal per game, and this will be the area he will have to work at. But in a hyper-aggressive Milwaukee scheme Wilson will have the opportunity to succeed in this area. If the rookie can reach those benchmarks he will have shown his defensive impact is not simply potential but reality.

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