Milwaukee Bucks: 5 goals for Pat Connaughton in 2018-19 season

BROOKLYN, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Pat Connaughton #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on November 24, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 05: (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Find defensive niche

Switching sides, it may be safe to say that Bucks fans don’t have much of a feel for Connaughton’s defensive services. It’s to be expected, of course, and it’s not like the Fighting Irish alum poses as a game changer on that side of the floor.

With that said, Connaughton can fill an interesting role defensively that stems from the solid impact he had with the Blazers throughout last year.

After all, the Blazers finished sixth in defensive efficiency for the 17-18 season and Connaughton proved to be a viable cog within their scheme, as he logged the second-best defensive rating of regular rotation players and the Blazers allowed two fewer points per 100 possessions with Connaughton on the floor than without him, per NBA.com/stats.

The combination of Connaughton’s physical tools, athletic attributes and strong basketball IQ helps the fourth-year wing provide serviceable team defense, which has and will continue to be a big emphasis under Budenholzer.

While Connaughton’s defensive play is largely featureless, it should be noted that he does possess a knack for making big-time swats out on the perimeter, whether individually or coming as a help defender (Connaughton posted a 1.2 block percentage last season in Portland).

Whether we’ll see his defensive impact from the previous year translate into his new surroundings remains the big question for Connaughton entering the season.

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