Milwaukee Bucks: 3 players that need to step up against Orlando Magic

Eric Bledsoe

Entering his third NBA playoffs as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, Eric Bledsoe is the player they need to step up the most. Bledsoe’s postseason struggles have taken full effect the past two seasons, with the guard turning into a shell of his regular-season self when on the biggest stage. Averaging 13.6 points per game on 42.0 percent field goal shooting and a vile 25.5 percent from 3-point territory in 22 playoff games with the Bucks, the guard has disappointed.

Bledsoe has looked awful in the restart, averaging just 9.2 points per game, while shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 26.7 percent 3-point shooting. The guard did come into the bubble late due to a positive coronavirus test, which limited him to just five games in the restart thus far, which rightfully played a part in his atrocious play.

As Milwaukee’s third star, both on paper and the payroll, Bledsoe needs to step up not just against the Orlando Magic, but in the playoffs as a whole. After his treacherous play in the seeding games, the Bucks need Bledsoe to assert himself as that third option behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton if they want to go deep into the postseason.

Bledsoe’s lackluster play has held the Bucks back in their past two postseason runs, and if history repeats itself, Milwaukee could end up home earlier than expected. The Milwaukee Bucks clearly believed in Eric Bledsoe when they signed him to a 4-year $70 million deal before the 2018-19 playoffs, and now, it is his time to make sure they will not regret it.