How does the injury to Pat Connaughton affect the Milwaukee Bucks?
What Pat Connaughton’s injury means for the Milwaukee Bucks: MarJon Beauchamp may get his chance sooner than later
MarJon Beauchamp played pretty well on the Milwaukee Bucks’ summer league team but had a relatively quiet preseason. Beauchamp didn’t shoot the ball the greatest during the preseason but it is potentially due to nerves getting his first real NBA action. What’s encouraging is during the Bucks’ final preseason game, Beauchamp had his best performance of the five game slate.
Nothing flashy but six points on 2-of-3 shooting plus three rebounds, no assists but also no turnovers in 13 minutes. It is also worth noting that the two shots he made were both 3-point makes, something as mentioned on the first slide the Bucks will miss without Connaughton. If Beauchamp can give some help like that in limited minutes he may find himself playing more.
Beauchamp may not find himself in the starting lineup on opening night, however with the Milwaukee Bucks short handed at small forward and shooting guard, he will likely find himself getting some minutes early in the season. What he does with those minutes is up to him.
It is certainly a bold prediction for MarJon Beauchamp, but he could kick off a rookie campaign to make an All-Rookie team for 2022-23.
A realistic goal MarJon Beauchamp could set for himself to begin the season in Pat Connaughton and Khris Middleton’s absence would be to leap frog Jordan Nwora in the Milwaukee Bucks rotation. Jordan Nwora is no doubt the better offensive player, but just as clear as that’s the case, it’s just as clear that MarJon Beauchamp is the better defender. If Beauchamp can prove himself on offense and defense, he could find himself getting more minutes than Jordan Nwora if he doesn’t seize his opportunity.
Regardless of where Mike Budenholzer distributes the minutes that Pat Connaughton normally plays, that player will have to step up on both ends of the floor. Not only is Connaughton a helpful offensive player, he is also one of the most selfless hustle players the Bucks have had in recent memory. Hopefully Connaughton is back in the fold soon.
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Stay tuned for analysis on whoever fills in for Pat Connaughton once the season starts Thursday.