The Milwaukee Bucks need someone to reliably knock down 3-pointers off the bench, and one of the prime candidates for the job is Taurean Prince. Coming off his best shooting season to date, Prince is transitioning to a new role this coming season, but just like last year, his primary focus must revolve around perimeter shooting. Early returns from the preseason show his commitment.
Taurean Prince knows his role for the Bucks
Last season, Prince had a lot going on. He signed with the Milwaukee Bucks thinking he would be the backup to Khris Middleton, but injuries forced him to join the starting five. With that came significant responsibility on both ends, including guarding the opposing team's best player and having to take more of the workload offensively. The shooting was good, but it took a backseat at times.
In his new bench role, he should have even more of a focus on shooting. Early on, it's working well.
In three preseason games thus far, Prince has shot 6-of-10 from deep. Among Bucks players to try at least two attempts, that is the best percentage (60 percent) on the squad. Though he's coming off of the bench, Prince is still getting plenty of open looks, and even if it's not the largest sample size, he is capitalizing in a big way.
In these games, all of Prince's shots have come from distance, which is his best spot. Last year, it felt as if he often tried to do too much offensively, whether it was with a drive to the hoop or some other shot that required him to put the ball on the floor. He's best-suited to be a catch-and-shoot threat on the perimeter, and he's playing to that strength early in the preseason.
With AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. likely being promoted into the starting five, Milwaukee's bench is set to lose two phenomenal shooters. Someone has to step up to keep the bench firing on all cylinders, and Prince seems like the perfect candidate. He won't have to focus as much on rebounding, passing, or scoring in other ways like last year. This year, it's all about firing the long ball.
Prince is still capable of helping defensively, on the glass, and as a passer, but it won't be a necessity for the Milwaukee Bucks to survive. Him consistently knocking down the three-ball, though, will.
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