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

Defensive impact fits with Bucks’ system

An admirable aspect of George Hill’s contributions has always been his defensive identity. Hill is a 6’3” guard with a 6’9” wingspan, so he’s made a habit out of utilizing his length and versatility to disrupt opponents while making them uncomfortable.

Per 100 possessions, Hill is averaging 1.7 steals per game this season. He’s got a knack for sniffing out the ball and causing turnovers. Throughout his career, his natural awareness and high IQ as a defender has proved to be a valuable force on the court, and he continues to thrive defensively with the Bucks.

In the clip above, watch how George Hill purposely goes above the screen to force his man, Toronto’s Fred VanVleet in this case, into the interior where his teammate Robin Lopez is waiting for him. Lopez’s frame and length as a center doesn’t allow VanVleet to run right through him, so once he changes direction, Hill is quick enough and long enough to catch up to him and knock the ball away, resulting in a turnover.

This is a quality example of how the defensive abilities of George Hill appropriately fit the concept of Milwaukee’s defensive system. Hill is certainly an experienced defender when dealing with pick and roll situations, but his value on the defensive end means more than just his individual impact. He’s part of the overall process that has become the best defense in the NBA.

The Bucks don’t allow very many points in the paint largely due to the presence of the Lopez brothers (especially Brook) and Giannis, so the Bucks utilize their perimeter defenders like Hill to play the role of forcing their opponents into the paint where they bump into those rim-protecting nightmares and then usually having to settle for difficult shot selections. It’s why more and more teams are beginning to let it fly from beyond the arc against the Bucks nowadays because teams know how unpleasant it can be trying to score on them around the restricted area.

There’s a reason why the Milwaukee Bucks ranked first in rebounds per game and third in blocks per game before the hiatus. Their defensive tactics wouldn’t gel together so effectively if they didn’t have the appropriate personnel needed to execute, and George Hill comfortably fits the necessary description.

Hill is among plenty of excellent perimeter defenders that the Bucks possess, and his identity on the defensive end seems to mesh perfectly with Milwaukee’s defensive identity.