Behind the Bucks Pass
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Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from 124-109 win over Toronto

By Robby Cowles

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 29: Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on October 29, 2018 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 29: Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on October 29, 2018 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 29: (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 29: (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Donte continues to impress

I really want to talk about Donte DiVincenzo. The rookie had what I believe was his strongest game of his career against Toronto, playing 23 minutes and putting up a stat line that included 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Those statistics aren’t incredible, but The Big Ragu was all over the place for long stretches of this game. Offensively and defensively, DiVincenzo seemed to be a magnet for the ball, constantly in the thick of the action and making plays.

On offense, if it wasn’t already crystal clear that Budenholzer trusts DiVincenzo, it was after this game. DiVincenzo regularly found himself initiating the offense alongside Brogdon despite being the least experienced player. Remember, this guy wasn’t even a starter in college last year.

On defense, DiVincenzo regularly found himself matched up against Kyle Lowry, the Raptors best player with Leonard out. I was really impressed with DiVincenzo’s ability to play straight-up defense without fouling, a rare quality for a rookie.

DiVincenzo does have a tendency to go all-out on pump-fakes, which can lead to defensive problems, but overall he’s shown a knack for playing physical without sending his man to the line. Also, his ability to rebound has been tremendous.

The Bucks are one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA so far this season, and DiVincenzo is part of the reason for that success.

His eight rebounds against Toronto was a season-high, but time and time again he’s been there to grab the boards while the big guys clear space for him. His sky-high hops help in that regard, and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before DiVincenzo posterizes someone with a put-back dunk on the offensive end with the way he attacks rebounds.

DiVincenzo was a big reason why the Bucks were able to create more separation from the Raptors in the third quarter. During one sequence he was able to play good defense on Lowry that ended in a block at the rim, get the board and push the ball in transition, and get it to Snell, who was trailing on the play, for an open three he drilled.

Then, to finish the quarter, The Michael Jordan of Delaware drained a pull-up three with just seconds left. DiVincenzo was just feeling it at that point and showed a glimpse of the kind of play that got him named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

The rookie’s spot in the rotation was a surprise to me, and I’m sure many, at the start of the season but he’s paid off the gamble for Budenholzer so far. I can’t wait to see how DiVincenzo looks at the end of this season when he gets more experience and adjust to the NBA even more.

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