Milwaukee Bucks: The Eric Bledsoe effect

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 08: Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Bradley Center on December 8, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eric Bledsoe /

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Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images /

Bench rotations

With Teletovic being out injured and Monroe gone, Kidd has certainly had to go a lot smaller with his rotations. With Bledsoe on the court, Kidd has been able to change his rotations to suit or change games.

Antetokounmpo is able to take time off the court, often being replaced by Brogdon. This means the Bucks have two playmakers on the court at any given time. The effect this has is the team is less predictable and much harder to defend.

Kidd is interlacing his second unit with starters. However, as mentioned earlier, the Bucks have been going small when they go their bench. Of the reserves who have played more than 10 minutes per game in the last 10 games, only one is big man.

That player is Maker, who pushes the paces and spaces the floor like a guard. The other three players are Brogdon, Jason Terry and DeAndre Liggins.

While the playmaking of Bledsoe gets most of the attention, it is his defense that allows Kidd to go small and fast. By combining the defensive talents of Bledsoe, Liggins and Brogdon, the Bucks are able to play their three- and four-guard lineups.

All of this will change when players come back from injury. However, Bledsoe is also making his mark on the second unit in their absence.

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