Milwaukee Bucks: 3 goals for Pat Connaughton for 2020-21 season

Goal no. 2 – Sharpen defensive discipline

While improving his 3-point shot is critical to fully realizing his overall role, Connaughton’s defensive services stand in a different light altogether.

Highlighted by his great size, physical tools and eye-popping vertical athleticism, Connaughton has fashioned himself as a hard-working defender that gives the Bucks a different dimension on that side of the floor. That’s best highlighted by his ability to block shots when either closing out or chasing opposing shooters around the floor.

Per pbpstats.com, Connaughton blocked 14 3-point attempts for the 2019-20 season, the fifth-highest mark of all players around the league.

The high-risk, high-reward nature of Connaughton’s shot blocking specialties asks plenty of discipline of Connaughton to avoid fouling shooters, which certainly has bit him in the past, given his aggressive tendencies.

Whether it’s a matter of shoring up or being more selective with his natural instincts or becoming experienced in the kind of role we’ve seen him take on over the last two years, Connaughton has the capabilities to be an impactful defender within the best ranked defense. And he scertainly has displayed that over time in Milwaukee.