Milwaukee Bucks: Weighing options at the starting shooting guard spot

Could Pat Connaughton start at shooting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks?

Pat Connaughton played incredibly well for the Bucks throughout their playoffs run, silencing the critics that were so harsh to him previously.

With DiVincenzo sidelined, Connaughton played significantly more minutes, and he certainly made good with the opportunity. Offensively, he shot the lights out from behind the arc, particularly in the NBA Finals, where he made the second-most triples among any player from either side. On the defensive end, Connaughton stepped up to the plate and tackled the tougher assignments that might typically be given to DiVincenzo.

He was simply phenomenal and at least deserves consideration for the starting spot next season. However, consideration is all he will get, as Connaughton showed just how impactful he could be when coming off the bench. The guard is a sparkplug in the second unit, providing stellar shooting, defense, and prolific rebounding ability whenever he steps on the floor. While all of those things make him qualified to be a starter, he simply fits better off the bench.

That is not a knock on him to any degree, just the fact that Connaughton is a role player, and he has perfected his role as a reserve. He is the team’s Swiss Army Knife off the bench, which is a role he will continue to play in all likelihood, although he may get the occasional start when filling in here and there.