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Milwaukee Bucks: Pat Connaughton’s rare art of blocking shots

By Jordan Treske

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 10: Kent Bazemore #26 of the Sacramento Kings shoots over Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Fiserv Forum on February 10, 2020 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 10: Kent Bazemore #26 of the Sacramento Kings shoots over Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Fiserv Forum on February 10, 2020 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Pat Connaughton has repeatedly shown off his athletic abilities since arriving to the Milwaukee Bucks and he’s honed his rare shot blocking prowess as a result.

If there’s one thing that Pat Connaughton has repeatedly tried to prove since coming to the Milwaukee Bucks nearly two years ago, it’s breaking down stereotypes.

Even before he officially entered the NBA, Connaughton made quite the splash when he recorded a 44-inch max vertical leap during the 2015 NBA Draft Combine, which still stands as one of the highest recorded at the event. It was one small step for Pat and it was one giant leap for his NBA career.

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While he has rounded out his ‘3-and-D’ skill set between his stints with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Bucks, Connaughton has gotten into the spotlight showing off his athletic gifts, such as when he locked down an invite at this year’s Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend in Chicago.

As much as Connaughton has embraced the novelties that come with flaunting his incredible vertical athleticism, he has honed it as a positive asset in his skill package, especially on the defensive end.

Given that Bucks guards are tasked with being very physical defending at the point of attack under the drop-back defensive scheme head coach Mike Budenholzer and his staff have implemented, Connaughton has increasingly taken on tough defensive assignments such as chasing some of the more renowned sharpshooters in the league today.

And it’s under this role where Connaughton has been able to sharpen all facets of his unique shot-blocking expertise, thanks to his recovery skills, athleticism, and timing.

Milwaukee Bucks’ wing Pat Connaughton has a rare ability to come up with blocks on the perimeter.

Of Connaughton’s 30 total blocks through this point in the 2019-20 season, 14 of them have come from beyond the arc, per pbpstats.com. That’s tied for the fourth-highest amount of 3-point blocks with Andrew Wiggins, and behind rookie Matisse Thybulle, and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson. And by per-36 minute standards, Connaughton has averaged one block this year, which marks a career-high.

Of course, Connaughton’s aggressiveness when seeking out to erase someone’s shot into oblivion is quite the high-risk, high-reward game, but it hasn’t come without some trial and error throughout his career as Connaughton discussed with CBS Sports’ James Herbert in late February:

"“When I was in Portland, Coach Stotts was adamant on not fouling 3-point shooters, so I’m not sure I blocked as many, more because it wasn’t worth the risk,” Connaughton said. “But I think I’ve gotten better at it over time. I would say the not-fouling part comes down to athleticism. It comes down to hand-eye coordination. It comes down to the ability for me to jump higher than the person that’s shooting the shot because at the end of the day, if I’m lower than them, there’s a lot more room for error to hit their head, to hit their arm, to hit their elbow, hit something. If I’m higher than them, I can kind of go around.”"

Whether it’s overcoming the odds or continuing to fight back against perception, Connaughton’s athletic abilities have been a point of pride for the 27-year-old and it’s certainly been key to him finding his niche with the Bucks over the last two seasons.

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On a Bucks team that features premier shot blockers such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, Connaughton’s shot blocking abilities on the perimeter have allowed him to stand out in his own way. And by this rate, a ‘Watch Pat Block’ shirt should be in the works and available for purchase for all Bucks fans.

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