Bucks sorting out center rotation

The Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2016-'17 season knowing they had depth at center. They had all three big men coming back, with Miles Plumlee fresh off signing a four-year, $50 million contract, Greg Monroe lighter and ready to make more of an impact in his second season with the team and mainstay John Henson, who is in the first year of his four-year, $44 million extension, ready to contribute.

For the Bucks, figuring out exactly how they're going to use that depth is going to take some time.

"We've talked with the three bigs ... we're all on the same page," Bucks coach Jason Kidd said concerning playing time.

Wednesday night's season-opening 107-96 loss to the Charlotte Hornets at the BMO Harris Bradley Center proved that the Bucks have no problem using their depth or going with the hot hand.

Plumlee earned the start but played just eight minutes, the fewest of any of the Bucks' centers. He went 0 for 2 from the field, playing in short stints at the start of each half while failing to make a notable positive impact at either end of the court.

When he first subbed out it was for Monroe, who Kidd said he wanted to get on the court early. Monroe quickly added a jolt of energy and his contributions snowballed as the game wore on, resulting in 14 points, 10 rebounds and a pair of blocks in just over 29 minutes.

"It happens," Kidd said of Plumlee's ineffective night. "Miles, he's got two other guys behind him. Moose gets going and he was playing well, so sometimes you're just going to have to wait. It could be Saturday when Miles plays more minutes. ... It's just the nature of what's happening on the floor and what presents itself and who is going."

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Monroe's biggest numbers came in the second half when he played long stretches with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the two fed off each other while leading a comeback that ultimately fell short. The two combined for 29 points on 13-of 21-shooting after halftime and Antetokounmpo finished with 31 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

While he had been accustomed to starting, Monroe often came off the bench toward the end of last season. It's a role he has often said he doesn't mind and still believes can be a positive for the Bucks.

"Initially it's nice for everybody; it's a long season," Monroe said. "Some guys are going to have better nights than others, that's just the game. But it's about being ready. Another night it might be someone else. I know people might look at it as hard to adjust, but I feel like it's more of a luxury just having three guys you can rely on any given night. ... Tonight it just happened to be the night it was my turn."

Henson played about 10 1/2 minutes overall, with eight coming in the second quarter. He managed four points and four rebounds while helping shore up the Bucks' defense after the Hornets scored 20 points in the paint in the first quarter. Charlotte had just eight in the paint in the second.

Henson knows that he won't always get more minutes that Milwaukee's starter, but he prides himself on being ready when called upon.

"I think tonight was something to build on, probably not typical of your big-man rotation, but I think (Kidd's) trying to feel it out just like we're trying to feel it out and see what works. ...

"For lack of a better word I'm just balls to the wall, man. I'm trying to crash the glass, defend, be all over. I know I'm not going to be in 15 minutes in a row, but throughout the game I want to feel like I gave everything I had and that will help me sleep at night whether I play five, 10, 15 minutes, 30 minutes."

Pregame note: The Bucks are the tallest team in the NBA and they aren't going to waste any time using that length.

Head coach Jason Kidd announced before Wednesday's season opener against the Charlotte Hornets at the BMO Harris Bradley Center that he will go with Matthew Dellavedova (6 foot 4), Jabari Parker (6-8), Mirza Teletovic (6-9), Giannis Antetokounmpo (6-11) and Miles Plumlee (6-11) as his starters.

"I think we've seen this lineup quite a few times in training camp and the preseason, so I think as a whole we're comfortable starting this way," Kidd said. "We're going to make some subs quickly and try to get our bench into the game early just to use our depth and go from there."

Teletovic, who hit an NBA record 179 three-pointers off the bench with Phoenix last season, was expected to come off the bench with Milwaukee, but Khris Middleton's torn left hamstring changed that plan. Kidd entered training camp looking at second-year guard Rashad Vaughn in the starting lineup in Middleton's stead, but over the course of the preseason the bigger, more veteran lineup became a better option in Kidd's eyes, especially with Vaughn coming off a sprained left ankle.

"Vaughn, he's able to go," Kidd said. "Coming off a sprained ankle the last couple practices have been very good for him. For us we made the call to go with Mirza. I just felt a little bit more comfortable going with a vet in the matchups. Vaughn will get plenty of time tonight."

Tony Snell, who the Bucks acquired from the Bulls in a trade that sent Michael Carter-Williams to Chicago, could be another option for replacing Middleton in the starting lineup at some point, but he won't get a chance until Saturday at the earliest as he nurses his own sprained left ankle and has been ruled out against the Hornets. Kidd said he hopes Snell will be able to play Saturday against the Nets, but his availability will depend on what he can do — if anything — at practice on Friday.