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Jason Terry Brings Needed Leadership to the Milwaukee Bucks

By Dan Larsen

Oct 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jason Terry (31) brings the ball up the court during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jason Terry (31) brings the ball up the court during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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After trading away their key veterans a year ago, the Milwaukee Bucks addressed their absence of veteran leadership by signing Jason Terry

It’s been a relatively quiet off-season for the Milwaukee Bucks. After making a major splash last off-season by signing one of the league’s most coveted free agents, the Bucks went with a more reserved approach this year.

Though they had addressed some of their most pressing needs early in the free agency period, the Bucks were still missing something that contributed heavily to their success in the 2014-15 season: veteran leadership.

A year ago, the Bucks traded away their two key veteran leaders in Jared Dudley and Zaza Pachulia for draft picks and cap/roster flexibility. The team was willing to bet on its coach and its players, despite being the youngest in the league, to maintain their success and take the next step.

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The move, of course, backfired in a serious way. Though Dudley and Pachulia were solid contributors in the stat column, their real contributions came from the example they set for the young guys.

Dudley operated as the role model on the floor, teaching the guys how to communicate and how to handle themselves in every situation. Pachulia complemented this by being the heart of the team, giving 110% every time he touched the floor. He demonstrated to the guys just how far a team can get with consistent belief and effort.

Apr 23, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jared Dudley (9) celebrates after making a basket during the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jared Dudley (9) celebrates after making a basket during the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

The loss of both guys last season cannot be overstated.

Without them last year, the Bucks sputtered. Communication broke down. Heads dropped whenever things got tough. Tensions flared. And, the Bucks lost a lot of games, including many by substantial margins, because of it.

The Bucks had many needs entering this off-season, such as floor-spacing and guard depth. However, no issue was as glaring as their need to add veteran leaders to complement their young, but very talented roster.

The Bucks finally addressed that need on Monday by signing veteran guard Jason Terry.

Though Terry will provide the team with floor spacing and depth, his real contributions to this team will come from the veteran leadership he provides.

Terry brings a little bit of what both Pachulia and Dudley brought to the Bucks. He’s a passionate player who always gives full effort whenever he’s on the floor.

He’s also a model professional, leading by example both on and off the court. Like Dudley, he should provide the Bucks with another vocal on-court leader who’s wiling to call things out and pick guys up when mistakes happen.

A former champion, Terry has proven he also knows what it takes to win a championship.

His contributions to the 2011 NBA Title winning Dallas Mavericks are often forgotten. Though many remember Dirk Nowitizki’s dominance in their 4-2 series upset over the Miami Heat, Terry was the one who helped put the series out of reach, both with this shot in game five:

And by putting in a dominant 26 point performance in game six:

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Without him stepping up in a major way, the Dallas Mavericks would not have beaten one of the greatest teams of all-time to win their first NBA Title.

Let there be no doubt, Terry can still contribute in the stats column. However, his real value to this team will come from the leadership and presence he provides, not the three-pointers he celebrates so gleefully.

All of this, his on-court leadership, experience with winning, and work ethic, will be his real contributions this season.

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Thus, despite their other signings getting most the attention, the Bucks may have made their most impactful signing of the season by adding Jason Terry to this team.

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