Milwaukee Bucks: Eric Bledsoe’s confidence should be at all-time high

With the Milwaukee Bucks making it clear that Eric Bledsoe is not going to be traded, the point guard’s confidence should be sky-high.

It may not have been completely necessary given the nature of the “report” that set the wheels in motion on this whole story, but the words of reassurance that Jon Horst provided surrounding Eric Bledsoe’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks should leave the point guard feeling more confident than ever as the postseason nears.

The rumor that this Milwaukee Bucks’ team was looking to deal Bledsoe before the deadline, because they favored George Hill running the offense, seemed utterly insane given the Bucks’ record, and wasn’t something that Bucks fans in the know were likely to take all that seriously.

Still, Horst responded almost immediately in speaking to Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck, leaving no room for ambiguity by stating:

"“We have not talked to any teams about trading (Eric Bledsoe) since the day that we traded for him. And I think it’s evident, pretty strongly, in the fact that we extended Eric, what he means to us. The fact that we currently have the best record in the NBA, had the best record last year in the NBA, he’s an All-NBA First Team defender and a guy that we feel strongly should be an All-Star for the Milwaukee Bucks this year. We have not had those conversations, and we are not going to trade Eric Bledsoe.”"

This comment doubles as a sigh of relief considering trading Bledsoe at this point would make little to no sense. At this moment, Milwaukee is firing on all cylinders and performing at an all-time level, and sending away a vital piece of that success could do far more harm than good. Averaging 14.8 points per game to go with 4.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists, the guard has been a stellar third option behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.

These were powerful comments from the general manager, and clearly, there should be nobody that feels better about them than Eric Bledsoe himself.

Since being acquired by the Bucks in late 2017, the guard has received his fair share of high praise for his play. Filling a massive hole at the point guard position with a perennial All-Star contender, and one who will hopefully break through for a first time this year, has absolutely been a factor in the Bucks’ rise to stardom these past few seasons.

However, spectacular as he has been at times, Bledsoe has become a repeat victim of valid criticism during his tenure also. Most notably his performances or lack thereof, in two postseason runs with the Bucks. The guard’s contributions seem to become minimal when the playoffs start, which has been a lingering issue since joining the team.

Regardless, Milwaukee has stuck with Bledsoe and are prepping for another deep playoff run in their quest for a championship. With Horst’s recent comments reassuring how much the team values their point guard, things could finally shift for him in the playoffs. With the Bucks’ chances of winning a championship being their greatest right now compared to recent decades, they are going to need the 30-year old at his best.

Bledsoe’s confidence should be at its highest possible peak right now as his general manager has come out and stated he has never thought about trading the guard despite the struggles. Tie that in with a chip on his shoulder from previous postseasons along with endless support from teammates, and this could finally be the year Bledsoe breaks out in the playoffs.