Milwaukee Bucks: Five Takeaways From Bucks v Pacers
By Ti Windisch
Rashad Vaughn Continues To Struggle
It’s been a rough career for Rashad Vaughn thus far. Last season he was one of the worst players in the NBA. Vaughn’s supposed to be a floor-spacer. He doesn’t have the chops on defense to make it in the NBA based on his ability on that end, and he’s not a ball-handler like Malcolm Brogdon.
Vaughn needs to knock down threes to have value. He missed all four of his attempts from deep against the Pacers. Vaughn missed all but one of his six field goal attempts too, although he did make all three of his free throws.
In addition to his five points, Vaughn totaled three rebounds, two assists and two turnovers. He just hasn’t been able to find a niche at the NBA level. Vaughn came up as a scorer, and he might not have the versatility to become something else at this stage.
It’s never smart to read too much into preseason action, but the difference between this game from Vaughn and Giannis’ string of disappointing contests is what the players have done before. Giannis proved he can play at an All-Star level last season–Vaughn has never been able to consistently score the basketball.
The Bucks will need Vaughn this season in Khris Middleton‘s absence, especially if the team can’t find a trade to bring in another wing player. So far, he hasn’t shown that he’s ready for the increased load he may well end up seeing.