Milwaukee Bucks: Revisiting bold preseason predictions

Sterling Brown

Preseason prediction: Will play over 1,000 minutes this season

Verdict: Oh yeah, baby

Despite not consistently breaking into Budenholzer’s rotation for the first month of the season, and injuries that forced him to miss 11 games, Brown just barely broke the 1,000-minute threshold by playing 27 minutes in game 81 of the season against the Atlanta Hawks.

As a long-time Brown stan since the Bucks drafted him in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft, it has been immensely rewarding to see Brown finally given a chance to compete and contribute for a winning team and take advantage of that opportunity.

On a deep roster with a rotation that can legitimately go 12-deep, Brown has distinguished himself as one of the most reliable players Budenholzer can depend on to contribute on both ends. Brown has been perhaps the most consistent outside shooter off the Bucks’ bench, hitting 37.8 percent of his three-point attempts including a blistering 53.7 percent from the corners.

Brown has also been stout on defense, providing tough perimeter defense that has made the Bucks’ bench units some of the best defensive units in the league.

With his two-way prowess, Brown has earned the comparisons to Brogdon, the other Bucks second-round pick and former Rookie of the Year with a similar body and skill-set. Now, with Brogdon missing the last couple weeks of the season and at least the first round of the playoffs, Brown has been asked to take on an even larger role, even starting a handful of games in Brogdon’s place.

So far, the results have been strong for Brown in coming close to replicating Brogdon’s outside shooting and paint penetration.

Brown may not have the offensive talent of Brogdon (although he did show he’s no slouch with a 27-point performance against Atlanta in March), but he’ll be integral in replacing the production of Brogdon in the playoffs.

I always believed that if Brown would be given a chance with consistent minutes, he could be a reliable and above-average bench guard and role player. Brown got that chance this regular season and will even get more opportunities come playoff time.

Just like in the preseason, I have faith in Sterling.

Running tally: 3/10, 1 push