The Milwaukee Bucks looked disappointing for much of Game 1 against the Miami Heat as they failed to make shots from the outside and lacked intensity for a playoff game.
They’ll look to rebound in Game 2 on Wednesday, and these three players will need to see the court more to help them do so.
Jae Crowder needs more minutes for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2
Jae Crowder did not play well in Game 1. However, that doesn’t justify that he was only given 12 minutes.
The Bucks desperately needed a player like Crowder at the deadline, and that’s why they made the trade. They wanted a versatile wing defender capable of guarding multiple positions.
P.J. Tucker was that guy for the Bucks when they made their championship run in 2021. Tucker could do that because he got significant minutes guarding the opposing team’s best offensive threats. My question for the Bucks now is, how is Crowder supposed to replicate that without being given the opportunity to?
It’s a wild concept that the team envisioned Crowder being a key contributor toward a potential championship run this season, and Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer won’t allow it. Every year, there is at least one Bucks player that gets the short end of the stick from Budenholzer in the playoffs. It may be a Game 1 overreaction, but it’s looking like Crowder will be that player this year.
Crowder getting more minutes will be the most critical adjustment the Bucks can make in this series. Now we have to see if Coach Bud will do it.