Milwaukee Bucks: Examining Eric Bledsoe’s potential fit
By Adam McGee
Offense
Bledsoe offers an incredibly dynamic offensive output, whether as a lead or a secondary guard. You could argue that Bledsoe isn’t the league’s best offensive guard in any one category, but it’s the way that he can do so many things very well that really makes him appealing.
Dave King of SB Nation’s Bright Side of the Sun captured the complete nature of Bledsoe’s offense in a piece written shortly after the Suns shut the guard down to aid their lottery odds at the end of last season.
"“Before being shut down for the season, he posted career highs this season in points (21.1), assists (6.3), three-pointers (1.6), free throws (5.9) and free throw attempts per game (6.9), plus the second-best rebound average (4.8) and a career-low in turnover rate (15.3%) since he’s become a starter. Think those numbers are pretty good? How about this: Only THREE players have put up better than Bledsoe’s combo of points/assists/rebounds/free throws in the past FIVE seasons: LeBron James. James Harden. Russell Westbrook.”"
Bledsoe’s career to date has rarely seen him function as a lead guard. Instead, he’s spent a lot of time playing alongside the likes of Chris Paul, Goran Dragic, Isaiah Thomas and Brandon Knight. That in part is due to his instincts erring more toward scoring than passing, but it’s also a reflection of how Bledsoe can be best utilized in a freer role rather than being left with the responsibility of conventionally running the offense.
Bledsoe’s greatest strength is probably his ability to get deep into the paint and finish. Due to a combination of strength, speed and athleticism that isn’t exactly universal among the NBA’s guards, Bledsoe can work his way inside to then finish right at the basket or turn to a trusty floater either.
Bledsoe’s playing style is incredibly aggressive and as a result, turnovers come as a byproduct of his game. While his giveaways are easily accepted in exchange for the positives he brings to the table, his shooting is probably the more troublesome of the deficiencies in his game.
To be clear, Bledsoe is not a bad shooter, but he has yet to demonstrate that he can efficiently knock down three-pointers at a consistent level. As a career 33 percent three-point shooter, Bledsoe would certainly be best suited to an offense with an abundance of floor-spacing.
Considering how all of that would translate to Milwaukee, Bledsoe’s shooting would certainly be troublesome. Sharing the court with Giannis Antetokounmpo would mean that the Bucks would only have room for three high level shooters on the floor together with that duo, which is far from ideal in today’s NBA.
Saying that, it’s possible that with higher caliber teammates around him, and more time and space to operate, Bledsoe could become an improved shooter with the Bucks.
On the positive side of the ledger, Bledsoe could give the Bucks exactly the kind of dynamic scoring punch they’re currently lacking. With Jabari Parker out injured, Milwaukee’s scoring outside of Giannis is unpredictable at best. Bledsoe would remedy that, while also adding another extremely capable playmaker into the mix.