Milwaukee Bucks: Why George Hill has significant value in NBA playoffs

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
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Milwaukee Bucks, NBA playoffs
Milwaukee Bucks, NBA playoffs Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images

3-point shooting efficiency

Initially, the efficient shooting that George Hill has displayed this season has simply been remarkable, especially from beyond the arc. He’s finished the regular season with shooting averages of 51.6 percent from the floor and a league-high 46.0 percent from 3-point range, both career-highs.

Nobody could have possibly believed that George Hill would lead the league in 3-point percentage before the 2019-20 season. Hill shot a putrid 28.0 percent from beyond the arc last season, so it’s incredible how wide the transformation was within one year.

The Bucks are best known for their spacing and 3-point shooting in coach Budenholzer’s top-tier offensive system, and Hill has now fully adjusted to fulfilling Milwaukee’s strategic schemes. In Hill’s first season with the Bucks last year, he mostly just shot 3’s off catch and shoot opportunities.

Hill continues to fire off the catch and shoot 3’s by popular demand this season but has added so much more lethal moves to his arsenal from beyond the arc. He’s efficiently improved on converting step-back, sidestep, and pull-up 3-point attempts as well as expanding his range.

Here’s Hill coming off a screen with the ball, then creating his own shot by selling his defender with a cheeky hesitation, and finishing with a comfortable step-back 3. Not only is Hill known as a ball-handler and facilitator offensively now, but he’s also established himself as a legit 3-point consistent threat.

As a result, his abilities have increasingly matched what the Bucks are prioritizing in their offense. George Hill can space the floor for the league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, create for others, and now efficiently convert from the perimeter on a consistent base.

Needless to say, the Bucks clearly value the league leader in 3-point percentage offensively, and Hill’s perimeter shooting should continue to be a vital piece toward Milwaukee’s dominant offensive system.