Milwaukee Bucks point guard Jevon Carter has been extremely productive in many ways on the court so far during the 2022-23 season. His value and importance to the continued success of this team cannot be overlooked.
Jevon Carter has started all 19 games so far this season for the Milwaukee Bucks. Carter also ran the show at point guard in Jrue Holiday’s absence when Holiday missed four games due to injury. Carter has also started alongside Holiday for 15 games so far this season. This has given the Milwaukee Bucks a huge boost in many ways.
Coming into the 2022-23 season, backup point guard was one of the biggest, if not the biggest needs on the teams roster. Carter has filled that role with his play on both ends of the floor.
In 27.2 minutes per game so far this season, Carter is averaging 9.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Hopefully he will sustain these numbers, especially when Khris Middleton returns soon from injury, as well as Joe Ingles in the new year.
With Middleton out due to injury, there are obviously more shots to go around, which Carter is taking advantage of. His shooting confidence has skyrocketed, which is evidenced by his 41.6% 3-point shooting early on this season.
Carter’s increase in minutes is also one of the reasons the Bucks’ defense has improved this season so far, as they lead the league in defensive rating. Carter is the player that can defend other guards with his defensive skills, prowess and bulldog mentality.
Carter also helps to personify the overall mentality of the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s no secret that Giannis Antetokounmpo sets the overall tone, but players like Carter make contribute to help making the system work, specifically on the defensive side of the ball.
Even when Carter isn’t lighting it up on the offensive end of the floor, he has a large impact on the game with his defense and high basketball IQ. He’s an asset and his teammates feed off his energy, on both sides of the floor.
Offensively speaking, he is at least good enough as a 4th or 5th option with him shooting 40% plus from 3-point range, while at the same time still being able to be a playmaker. His confidence, understanding of the offense and how he can be utilized is like night and day compared to last season, which is probably due to his increase in minutes and playing time.
Providing he continues to plays the same amount of minutes throughout the season, this will hopefully translate to increased post-season success for Carter.
Fans were extremely unhappy in the playoffs last season, as Carter was mainly relegated to the bench, in place of an unhealthy, unproductive George Hill. This cannot and should not happen again this upcoming post-season, as Carter has so far earned the majority of these minutes.
On November 9th, Carter set a career high with 36 points and added 12 assists in 45 minutes of a 136-132 double overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That game was Carter’s breakout game in the early part of the 2022-23 season, as the Bucks were missing their top two scorers, in Antetokounmpo and Holiday.
The Milwaukee Bucks are very lucky to have a player like the bulldog. He loves to compete on both ends of the floor, is playing a ton of confidence and continues to take advantage of every opportunity he’s given.
Coach Mike Budenholzer must continue to put a lot of trust in Carter and let him be himself and play free. If he does, the rest of the league should watch out and take notice, as his game will continue to evolve and improve.
The Milwaukee Bucks take on the New York Knicks Wednesday night, stay tuned with Behind the Buck Pass for more analysis.