Milwaukee Bucks: 5 keys to challenging for a top-4 seed next season
By Adam McGee
Snell stays consistent
For the good of the team (and the sanity of fans who don’t want to spend the next four years discussing his contract), the Bucks need Tony Snell to replicate the stellar play he demonstrated in his first season in Milwaukee.
Acquired from the Chicago Bulls following Khris Middleton’s injury, Snell stepped up into that void admirably, providing the Bucks with well-rounded contributions on both ends of the floor. If nothing else, without Middleton, Snell allowed the Bucks to keep playing the same kind of game, and later with him, his fit appeared just as seamless.
Snell showed a willingness to pick up the best player on the opposing team time and time again, and actually proved effective in that role. While much is often made about the potential of long-armed defenders in the Bucks’ switch-heavy scheme, Snell possesses the kind of discipline that’s essential to success in that style.
On top of his defensive contributions, Snell also had a career three-point shooting year with the Bucks. Not only was Snell accurate, but as the season went on and crossed over into the playoffs, he even started to put up more attempts.
Snell became the Bucks’ glue guy, and to improve on the base line they established last year they’ll need him at the very least to maintain that level of play.