Milwaukee Bucks: 3 players that can give more amidst slow start
By Dalton Sell
Rodney Hood can contribute more for the Milwaukee Bucks
Like many of the Bucks, Rodney Hood started the year off on the injury report. After missing the entire preseason and first three games of the season, the swingman made his Bucks debut in a 119-109 win over the Indiana Pacers. Hood has played in the last five games for the team, and his production has been scarce to this point.
Hood has averaged four points while shooting 29.4 percent from the field in 13.8 minutes per game thus far. Rust has been a factor here due to Hood’s limited availability, but the Bucks could use him now more than ever. Similar to Nwora, Hood has a knack for scoring the basketball at a high level, and with the team desperately needing more of that off the bench right now, they will be relying on him to step up.
His importance has only been heightened following the news the Khris Middleton has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols. This loss of Middleton for however long is another tough blow for a Bucks team that cannot catch a break. Middleton’s absence will leave a void at the forward position, and Hood is a player that could see more time because of it. After battling through many injuries over the past few years, Hood signed with Milwaukee on a “prove it” deal, and this is the chance for him to prove himself.
Hood is also still banged up as he is battling through a left-hand contusion, so even he will not be 100 percent for the foreseeable future. Still, if he does continue to play, the Bucks could use his scoring ability to help keep the bench afloat. Keep an eye on the eight-year veteran in this stretch.