Milwaukee Bucks: The 5 biggest questions entering 2020-21 season

Who will be the Milwaukee Bucks’ primary ball handler in crunch time?

There is no question that the blockbuster addition of Jrue Holiday gives the Bucks a much-needed jolt in so many different ways.

Now their projected starting lineup going into opening night gives the Bucks four capable ball handlers with Donte DiVincenzo expected to step up into the spot vacated by veteran wing Wesley Matthews. But figuring out who will take on the lion’s share of ball handling in crunch time minutes is a fascinating question.

It’s easy to go with Antetokounmpo as the Bucks’ system is built around his wide-ranging talents and qualities. But opposing defenses will always collapse the paint and make Antetokounmpo try run through them in hopes of putting the back-to-back MVP in foul trouble and/or take shots far away from where he wants to go.

Middleton’s three-level scoring and shotmaking speaks for itself and the same applies for his pick-and-roll prowess, which especially shines with Antetokounmpo rolling to the rim.

The question is how will Holiday’s presence lead the Bucks to divvying up offensive responsibilities late in games. He obviously gives the Bucks a dynamic ball handler that can operate sublimely with Antetokounmpo in pick-and-roll situations and get to his spots, whether at the rim or pulling up off the dribble.

But Holiday and Antetokounmpo are on the ground floor of finding their chemistry together, which pales in comparison to the degree that the MVP shares with his long-time running mate in Middleton. No matter where Antetokounmpo is inside the arc, opponents will be quick to cover him and having the likes of Holiday, Middleton and even DiVincenzo make plays with the ball in their respective hands will be key for the Bucks in these situations.