Milwaukee Bucks: The importance of Eric Bledsoe

Eric Bledsoe is the key to success for the Milwaukee Bucks as they pursue their second NBA championship in franchise history.

The Milwaukee Bucks are displaying a historic regular season in 2019-20. They are on pace to win 70 games while winning by an average margin of 12.4 points per game. Milwaukee isn’t just beating opposing teams, they’re dominating them.

However, can the Bucks keep up their dominant performances come playoff time? That answer depends largely on the role of Eric Bledsoe.

In the previous two seasons, Bledsoe has received part of the blame for Milwaukee’s exits out of the playoffs. That is fair considering the facts that he got outplayed by Terry Rozier against the Boston Celtics in the 2018 playoffs, and then basically disappearing against the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals.

It’s time for Bledsoe to shake off the past, and focus on what the Bucks need him to do to help bring a championship to Milwaukee. For that to happen, he needs to consistently take advantage of his strengths while fixing and improving upon his continuous mistakes.

Bledsoe’s best qualities as a point guard include scoring around the rim, distributing and creating for others and defending. He’s only 6’1” but is built like a pitbull and very muscular for his size.

Bledsoe is at his best when he’s utilizing his best abilities and taking advantage of his muscular strength, but there are countless times where he makes the wrong decision. The decision making consistently, especially from the starting point guard, is a significant aspect of the success of a team.

There is short room for error in the playoffs, and Bledsoe is going to have to be more consistent with his decision making if the Bucks are going to make a championship run.

Initially, let’s analyze the mindset of Bledsoe’s shot selection. His ability to attack the rim while using his strong body to shrug off defenders is his most consistent and efficient shot as a scorer. Instead of settling for shots that he is inconsistent with such as mid-range jump shots, he should be driving to the basket more.

Bledsoe is not known as a jump shooter. Opposing teams will let him shoot all the mid-range jump shots he wants. With all the weapons that the Bucks possess, Bledsoe taking a jump shot is the least concerning for opposing defenses.

The Bucks have a better chance of scoring if Bledsoe is driving toward the basket with his explosiveness and strength in pick and roll situations. When he’s settling for mid-range jump shots, it takes away so many better-qualified opportunities for him and his teammates.

When Bledsoe is penetrating toward the basket, he can finish around the rim, distribute to one of his teammates after attracting another defender, or draw a foul. I’d rather him try and achieve one of those outcomes than settle for something that he’s inconsistent with.

Passing is another area where Bledsoe can be more consistent in his decision making. He’s such an underrated passer, but he sometimes forces passes that lead to costly turnovers.

The vision that he has on the court is outstanding, and that’s what gives him the capabilities of being such an experienced playmaker.

As a point guard and facilitator, the responsibility of taking care of the ball is essential to a team’s success. Bledsoe has generally done a great job of that so far this season, only averaging 2.4 turnovers per game, one of the 10-lowest marks for guards with a usage rate north of 24.

Although, he has a habit of leaving his feet too early and then forcing passes that result in turnovers at times. If Bledsoe can clean up this habit, life would be much easier.

In the clip above, Bledsoe drives to the basket with no real intention and leaves his feet way too early, which leads to a turnover and transition layup for the opposing team. He needs to have better awareness in these situations.

Instead of getting out of control and forcing something so early in the shot clock, keep your dribble and set the offense back up if nothing’s there. There is no reason to leave your feet at that point in the possession. Bledsoe needs to realize that and control the pace of the game as a point guard.

Milwaukee head coach Mike Budenholzer has benched Bledsoe numerous times due to the number of these mistakes that he’s made, especially in crunch time. It seems like Budenholzer currently has more trust in George Hill when the game is on the line. I don’t blame him since Hill has been both a better decision-maker and a shooter.

Bledsoe commits costly mistakes too often, and he has to take care of the ball more carefully and consistently if the Bucks want to win a championship.

All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton have earned the trust of their head coach since they are consistent with putting up efficient performances in their expected roles each night. Bledsoe still has work to do to implement himself as the third musketeer alongside Antetokounmpo and Middleton that he is expected to be.

Developing trust by taking better care of the ball and making more accurate decisions is something that he needs to prove as we get closer to the postseason.

Bledsoe has been terrific when he is controlling the pace, staying locked in defensively, and creating for others throughout this season. If he continues to do so while improving his decision making as a scorer and passer, the Bucks have an excellent chance of lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy for the second time in franchise history.