NBA Playoffs: One intriguing matchup from each Eastern Conference series

Eric Bledsoe, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic.

Continuity from the regular season to the playoffs has been a major issue for Milwaukee Bucks point guard Eric Bledsoe. It won’t get any easier for him while matched up against a hungry up-and-comer with a chip on his shoulder — Former No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz.

The early stages of Fultz’s career were a mess, but the 22-year-old this season showed great promise in his first full season in Orlando While he technically already had his playoff debut with the 76ers, but Game One was effectively the first full playoff game of his career. Fultz didn’t shy away from the moment, scoring 15 points on 11 shots in addition to six dimes and a block.

There are a lot of similarities between the playstyles of  Fultz and Bledsoe. They’re each physical a point guard who asserts themselves using stocky frames to draw contact. Neither is a particularly great shooter, but they can each create separation for mid-range jumpers or floaters. The major difference between them is that Bledsoe is an All-Defensive candidate while Fultz is a more creative facilitator.

Simply put, Bledsoe needs to be better for this Milwaukee team to have any chance at making the NBA Finals. His playoff woes have been a major talking point up through this stage of his career and a nice series against Orlando could help him gain the confidence he needs to contest actual contenders. It won’t be so simple with Fultz trying to make a name for himself, but it’s certainly possible.

Each of these point guards needs to use the stage of the playoffs to prove themselves. While they’re at very different stages of their respective careers, both Bledsoe and Fultz can use this first-round matchup as a proving ground.