No. 2 – Jevon Carter has given the Milwaukee Bucks defense and intensity in the short-handed second unit
Since coming into the league as a second round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Jevon Carter has been known for his robust defense. His intensity on that side of the basketball has helped him earn his minutes at every stop of his career to this point, and it has helped him quickly get adjusted to this new environment in Milwaukee, as the defensive-minded Bucks have utilized him heavily.
Carter has often been tasked with guarding one of the opposing team’s top players when he is on the floor, and he has done an admirable job so far. While matchup stats are not everything, Carter has eye-catching stats against some household names this season. According to NBA.com/stats, the defensive ace held Trae Young scoreless on 0-of-3 shooting, Terry Rozier to seven points on a subpar 3-of-7 from the floor, and Zach LaVine to two points on 1-of-4 shooting in recent games, to list a few. The guard is more than capable of taking on top-notch assignments, which has been a massive boost for the Bucks without two solid defenders in Connaughton and Hill available.
Following a recent win over the Charlotte Hornets, Carter spoke to the media and talked about the Bucks’ defensive intensity along with how he has enjoyed playing with them because of it.
"“Man, it’s fun. I was telling the guys, I was like, ‘I haven’t played this hard in I don’t know how long,’ you know what I’m saying? Just being out there with a team that’s locked in defensively, for me it’s just fun to be a part of honestly. That’s really all I can say, I’m just having fun.”"
It certainly appears that Carter is having fun out on the floor whenever he is picking up opposing players full-court and playing pestering defense. Like Bobby Portis takes pride in his rebounding, Carter just gives it his all whenever he is on the defensive side of the basketball. Given how much the Bucks are built on their defense, Carter’s presence on that end of the floor may earn him a spot in the rotation even when the team is close to full strength.