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Milwaukee Bucks: Point guard tandem continues to thrive

By Dalton Sell

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 25: Eric Bledsoe #6, Giannis Antetokounmpo #34, and George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks high-five during a game against the Toronto Raptors during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 25: Eric Bledsoe #6, Giannis Antetokounmpo #34, and George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks high-five during a game against the Toronto Raptors during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks win streak currently stands at 16 games with no signs of stopping anytime soon. With so many bright spots to examine, the team’s point guards have especially shown their strengths as of late.

With impressive play last season, it only seemed right that the Milwaukee Bucks would try and bring back point guards Eric Bledsoe and George Hill long-term. The team locked Bledsoe up on a four-year, $70 million contract extension before the playoffs last year, and Hill re-signed in free agency on a three-year, $28 million contract. With the departure of former ROY Malcolm Brogdon, it seemed as if even bigger things would need to be expected from the pair.

Twenty-five games into the season, they have certainly delivered. Bledsoe remains the team’s third leading scorer behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, averaging 15.2 points on 47.7 percent shooting from the field, including 34.8 percent from three-point range.

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The starting guard has had his share of inconsistencies on the offensive side of the ball to start the season. Still, when his shot isn’t falling, he’s always looking to make a big impact elsewhere on the floor. Aside from scoring, Bledsoe is averaging 5.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, and 0.8 steals, which helps him to fill the stat sheet on a nightly basis.

Hill’s offensive game has also been a bright spot for this Milwaukee team, particularly considering how they thrive off of three-point shooting. Not only is the Sixth Man leading the Bucks in three-point percentage, but he is currently leading the entire league at 53.7 percent. Also shooting 55 percent from the field as a whole to go along with 3.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game, Hill has proven himself to be a dynamic player off the bench for this Milwaukee team.

The Bucks played their first game of the season without MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 11th. With their star player out due to quad soreness, the team needed everyone else to step up, and the guards did just that. In 25 minutes, Bledsoe finished as the team’s leading scorer with 29 points to go along with six assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Off the bench, Hill also had an excellent game, contributing 13 points, three steals, three rebounds, and three assists in 19 minutes of game action.

What truly stood out was the shooting performance put on by both players, though.

Bledsoe made an impressive 10-of-13 shots, including 5-of-6 from behind the arc, which totaled 76.9 percent from the field, and 83.3 percent from deep. With his recent hot and cold shooting performances on the offensive end, hopefully, this game can help Bledsoe get into a rhythm he can carry throughout the season. Hill also impressed from the field, shooting 5-of-7 total and 3-of-3 from three-point range.

Behind those performances, the Bucks won easily by 127-112 on a night when everything seemed to be clicking for the team.

If this game was any sign of what these guards are capable of, the Bucks may yet only become more of a threat. Playing alongside two All-Stars has, without a doubt, elevated the game of both players, allowing them to be the best versions of themselves for this team. If they both can keep up this stellar play, Bledsoe could perhaps sneak his way into his first All-Star game, and Hill could be a Sixth-Man of the Year candidate.

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Though the tandem doesn’t get much credit for the team’s success, their contributions have been immense. The pair allow the Bucks to have an experienced guard on the floor at all times, who can score, make plays, and play some marvelous defense. When the point guards are performing at a high level, the rest of the team is sure to follow.

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