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Indiana Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon learned from Giannis Antetokounmpo

By Justin Trombino

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 29: Malcolm Brogdon #7 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on November 29, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 29: Malcolm Brogdon #7 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on November 29, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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When the Indiana Pacers acquired Malcolm Brogdon, they knew they were getting a player who is ready to be the star of the team.

It’s quite shocking the Indiana Pacers were able to land Malcolm Brogdon during the offseason. It’s even more shocking the Milwaukee Bucks let him walk away and only received future draft picks in return.

Malcolm Brogdon has grown tremendously throughout his four seasons in the NBA. After becoming Rookie of the Year in 2016, Brogdon increased his points per game average in every season since; including a career-high 15.6 points per game last season.

Brogdon looks like a completely different player than last season. Since joining the Indiana Pacers, he’s having a career year averaging 18.8 points and 8.1 assists per game while leading the way for the 12-7 Pacers

Brogdon gained valuable playoff experience during his first three years in Milwaukee, as the Bucks advanced to the playoffs in each of his three seasons with the team. He averaged 13.0 points per game during the playoffs last season.

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Playoff experience isn’t the only valuable standard Brogdon took away from his time with the Bucks. He would go on to tell The Undefeated he’s learned a lot from Giannis Antetokounmpo, including work ethic.

"“Playing with a guy like that [Giannis] has helped me become a better player. I actually got to see what he had to go through on a daily basis. The blame he would get for games we won or lost. He was getting the bulk of what the attention was. I got to see what it was like for a superstar to have to play that way.” – Malcolm Brogdon, per Marc Spears of The Undefeated"

Brogdon watched Giannis win both the Most Improved Player and Most Valuable Player award in back to back years. There’s a lot of added pressure on a player when he earns the title of MVP, and Giannis has shown great professionalism throughout it all.

After seeing the way Giannis handles himself in the most challenging of times for a player to go through, Brogdon has brought leadership and a veteran’s mentality with him to the Indiana Pacers.

Brogdon has always had an interest in the Pacers. Brogdon was hoping the Pacers would have selected him in the 2016 NBA Draft; now it seems to be a perfect match.

"“Indiana was my number one target in the draft. We had decided that was the best fit for me. With coach McMillan being a former second-round pick and sort of having a similar path to the NBA as me and a team growing but could use what I bring to the table… we were really pushing for me to go there. I loved everything about the makeup of the team and the organization.” – Malcolm Brogdon, per Mark Montieth"

The back-court tandem of Malcolm Brogdon and Victor Oladipo is going to be lethal for the Pacers once the latter returns from injury. Both players are the full package and are experienced veterans who will complement each other’s game nicely.

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It’s very exciting to think about what the Indiana Pacers will look like with a more complete and healthy squad, as they’re a team trending upwards in the Eastern Conference.

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