Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from 118-101 win over Indiana Pacers

Role player revival

One of the great hopes for those who’ve watched the Bucks closely in recent years is that Mike Budenholzer’s arrival as head coach can energize and get the best out of some of Milwaukee’s more unsung and occasionally less productive players.

As has just been discussed at length, the Bucks have very few problems at the top end of their roster in terms of talent, where Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon can also be added to mention of Antetokounmpo and Middleton. With that in mind, it’s the contributions they can get from further down the roster that may prove to be essential in elevating the Bucks to new heights.

That will be a gradual process, and it will almost certainly come with the ups and downs that accompany role players throughout the season, but on Friday night the signs were very positive.

Of course, there was nothing more notable than John Henson‘s shocking three-point exploits as a player with just one three-point make through his first six seasons went 2-of-3 from behind the arc in just his second competitive game under Budenholzer.

There’s little reason to believe that added wrinkle could be sustainable based on one game alone, but the truth is Henson’s stroke looked impressively smooth and the fact that he was prepared to take those shots at such an early juncture is encouraging in its own right.

Speaking to Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after the game, Henson responded to being asked if he ever expected to be spacing behind the three-point line by saying:

"“Not in a million years, honestly.”"

If Henson didn’t necessarily expect or believe it, the subtext of that comment at least suggests that he’s been provided the confidence to take those shots. Considering the problems the Bucks have had in the past, affording role players that kind of freedom and belief may be most significant of all in trying to maximize their impact.

Another player for who that sentiment is undoubtedly true is Tony Snell. No other individual Buck’s confidence was as noticeably altered by the tumult of last season as Snell’s was, and those bouts of self-doubt or passiveness tended to have an undue negative impact on his play.

After a less than inspiring preseason, and an underwhelming showing in the season opener against the Hornets, Snell finally found something of a groove again on Friday.

In a strong second half burst, not only did Snell look energized and active defensively, but he was playing with more life, vigor, and movement on the offensive end. Along with 2-of-5 made threes, that led to a great assist for Donte DiVincenzo, and the kind of dunk that Snell should be able to have more of but rarely got himself into position for under Jason Kidd and Joe Prunty.

Considering both Henson and Snell are owed considerable money by the Bucks in spite of being outside of the starting lineup, their contributions could be the kind of swing factor that will have a surprising impact on Milwaukee’s season. Against the Pacers, the early signs of building those players back up and reaping the rewards were there for all to see.