Summer focus and final grade
Bledsoe looked all set to be in for a summer of stress and uncertainty just a couple of months ago, but coming to terms on an extension with the Bucks ensured he’d avoid free agency.
That greater degree of certainty as to where his future lies will certainly help Bledsoe to sleep better this summer, as will the fact his playoff struggles may have proved costly if he had hit the open market in July.
There’s little doubt those playoff struggles will rattle around Bledsoe’s head too. Although there were moments when he played at his usual level across the course of a longer playoff run, for the second consecutive year Bledsoe wasn’t able to sustain anywhere close to that kind of form in the playoff.
Perhaps the postseason, and the pressure that comes with it, represents something of a mental block for Bledsoe. Maybe the toll of the 82 games already behind him leaves Bledsoe feeling less than optimum when the playoffs roll around. Either way, the situation demands his attention as he needs to work on making it third time lucky next year.
In terms of on-court focus, Bledsoe needs to continue to work on his shot. That could also be highlighted as a potential cause for his postseason struggles, as life becomes much more difficult when he’s being dared to shoot and is still unable to take full advantage.
This was an excellent season in so many ways for Bledsoe — the best regular season of his career — but the postseason injected a Jekyll and Hyde flavor to it that the Bucks could really have done without.
BTBP Final Grade: B
That does it for our season reviews, but stick with us throughout the offseason for all of the Bucks analysis and opinion you need.