The Milwaukee Bucks need Rodney Hood to flip the switch

When the Milwaukee Bucks signed Rodney Hood to a minimum contract this past offseason, the move was met with mixed reactions. On the one hand, there was hope that Hood could be a great signing that had hidden potential written all over it for the defending champs. On the other hand, many speculated that Hood was on his last leg and that he would not make much of an impact in the bigger picture. Unfortunately, those who believed the latter have been right thus far.

Hood is currently having the least productive season of his career by averaging just three points while shooting an abysmal 29.5 percent from the floor and 27.5 percent from 3-point range in a whopping 14.7 minutes per game. All of those are career worsts for the seven-year NBA veteran as he has just struggled mightily to find his niche in Milwaukee. However, despite these struggles, Hood has been a staple in head coach Mike Budenholzer’s rotation this season, and it looks as if that will remain the case moving forward.

Why the Milwaukee Bucks desperately need Rodney Hood to find his footing

Aside from health, the Bucks do not have many glaring flaws as a team right now. Yet, one of the exceptions has to be the scoring production from their second unit. The reserves are currently chipping in a mere 28.9 points per game, the 27th worst mark in the league. A significant portion of that scoring load has been shouldered by Pat Connaughton, who is averaging 12.1 points per game this season. Connaughton needs some help from his fellow bench mates, and Hood is the ideal man for the job.

The swingman seems to be a favorite for Budenholzer as he has overtaken Jordan Nwora’s spot in the rotation entirely after the sophomore showed some potential early on. Wesley Matthews has earned meaningful minutes since he signed with the team as well, but it seems like Hood will keep getting the most time among the three as the season goes on. If he continues to get nearly 15 minutes on a nightly basis, they will need him to start contributing, especially offensively.

Hood is certainly more than capable of scoring the basketball as he averaged double-digit points in five of his previous seven seasons before coming to Milwaukee. Yes, the veteran has been plagued by injuries over the past few years, including an Achilles tear, a fractured left hand, and a hip injury, which makes it hard to expect him to be the player he once was at his best. Still, Hood is giving the Bucks virtually nothing out on the floor offensively as his season-high in points is a game is seven.

The Bucks do not need Hood to come in and make a case to be Sixth Man of the Year, although it would be nice. If he can simply check in and knock down the occasional 3-pointer or take it to the rim and finish inside with efficiency, he will be in good shape. He has shown glimpses of potential throughout the season, but nothing consistent enough just yet. With Donte DiVincenzo and fellow newcomer Semi Ojeleye still sidelined, Hood’s minutes will still be prominent, and the Bucks will need him to start taking advantage.

If he can muster up some efficiency, Hood could resurrect his career in Milwaukee.