Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways From Win Over Boston Celtics
By Adam McGee
Not Your Average Rookie
As Malcolm Brogdon led Milwaukee’s charge to victory in the fourth quarter in Boston, he was really only doing more of what he’s done all season long.
The 36th overall pick in last summer’s draft demonstrated excellent decision-making, a keen eye for a pass, no fear of the moment, and the ability to draw the best out of teammates as he undertook a breathtaking crusade that saw the Bucks topple the Eastern Conference’s first placed team for a vital win.
Brogdon finishing with 16 points, nine assists and, most impressively, zero turnovers is no longer a surprise.
Put very simply, Malcolm Brogdon has the most complete Rookie of the Year case of any player this season. Instead, the question is going to be whether he even draws real consideration from ballot holders.
Mention Malcolm Brogdon and Rookie of the Year in the same breath on Twitter and you’re assured to quickly be swarmed by a group of Philadelphia 76ers fans. Rookie of the Year choices shouldn’t really be partisan, but that seems to be the direction many choose to take it. Dario Saric is an excellent player and would be a worthy recipient of the award, but very simply there are things that Brogdon deserves credit for that the Sixers’ forward can make no claim on.
The most common complaint to come from those of a Philadelphia perspective to Brogdon’s candidacy is the fact that he shares the court with players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, while Saric has to do everything by himself. In reality, any sort of objective consideration of that fact should only make Brogdon’s case all the more impressive.
Brogdon is sharing the court with Antetokounmpo — an All-Star starter and probable All-NBA Team member at season’s end — and yet is still showing the ability to leave his mark on the game. With Antetokounmpo and Middleton on the court on Wednesday night in Boston, the Bucks were able to rely on their rookie to take care of business, allowing their star players to simply support.
As Jason Kidd noted post-game:
"“He made plays, found guys, came up with some big shots. It just showed his composure throughout that stretch in the fourth. It shows the trust his teammates and coaches have to let him have the ball in his hands instead of Khris or Giannis.”"
Letting your rookie close out on a team with nothing to play for is one thing, but this is a rookie guiding a winning team home. Brogdon is a key component in leading the Bucks to the playoffs, and will be equally important in their attempts to make some noise when they get there.
So, sure, Saric is currently averaging more points and rebounds per game, but Malcolm Brogdon has the edge in assists and steals per game, field goal, three-point and free throw percentage.
Brogdon also comes out on top in most key advanced measures such as Win Share, Offensive Win Share, Defensive Win Share, Box Plus-Minus, Offensive Box Plus-Minus, Value Over Replacement Player and PER. Did I mention Brogdon does all of that with a usage rate of 18.4 percent, which is almost six percent lower than Saric’s too?
Malcolm Brogdon deserves the Rookie of the Year award, but he needs the Bucks as an organization to get behind him and create that awareness.