Milwaukee Bucks: 3 key adjustments needed for the defense
Milwaukee Bucks: 3 key adjustments needed for the defense – Eric Bledsoe’s return
One unsurprising answer to improving the offense and defense comes in the form of an Eric Bledsoe return. With Bledsoe out with a hamstring injury, the Bucks had to rely on multiple players to step up into bigger roles than they’re accustomed to on both ends.
Once Eric Bledsoe returns, the defensive options, and the ability to inter-change and try different All-NBA caliber defenders on the likes of Butler and Dragic will improve significantly.
Bledsoe also brings real energy to both ends of the court, controling the pace of the offense and defense.
When Bledsoe is on his game, he can aggravate any player with his scrappy defense. With the mounting frustration from those being defended by him, mistakes are bound to occur.
This creates turnovers that turn into easy transition points for Milwaukee.
On offense, Bledsoe is not a reliable 3-point threat like the rest of the supporting cast, but he is a dynamic player that can create his own shots. Having him back on the court would be a major plus for the team’s performance.
There was proof of this in the beginning of the restart when Bledsoe was just coming back from having COVID-19. The Milwaukee Bucks were just not the same team that they were before the NBA shutdown.
Those first eight games were similar to how the Bucks performed in Game 1 versus the Miami Heat. Bledsoe could be the game changer that the Bucks need to win this series.
Who would’ve thought that Bledsoe would possibly lead the Bucks to a playoff series win? This would’ve been highly unlikely in previous season’s given his playoff struggles, but without him it becomes very clear what he does bring to the team.
Every Bucks fan’s worst nightmare came true in Game 1. dark. Next
The Milwaukee Bucks can still win this series even after being down 1-0, if they make these adjustments. We will see if Coach Budenholzer has learned his lesson from last year, and if he will be bold enough to adjust meaningfully in the playoffs this time around.