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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 steps they must take to reach the NBA Finals

By Thomas J. Brown

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Mike Budenholzer and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks look on against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Mike Budenholzer and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks look on against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe
Milwaukee Bucks Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images /

The Milwaukee Bucks must find a reliable play-maker

When your 6’11” power forward leads the team in assists, either he’s a legendary passer or the coaching staff needs to have a talk with the point guard. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, the case for this year’s team was the latter. While Giannis is certainly talented, he’s not a Larry Bird or a LeBron James, forwards who can pass just as well as any guard you’ll find. This past season he averaged 5.6 assists per game, slightly higher than the 5.4 averaged by starting point guard, Eric Bledsoe. While Bledsoe has always been a superb athlete who brings his own unique skill set to the point guard position, it’s painfully obvious that Milwaukee needs a play-maker.

Anyone who watched the Lakers’ march to the Larry O’Brien trophy this year couldn’t help but notice the brilliance of Rajon Rondo. “Playoff Rondo,” as he’s affectionately known, often impacted games without looking for his own shot. While playing with two of the top five players on the planet is a luxury most guards don’t have, Rondo’s approach this offseason highlighted that looking to get your teammates involved can still have a tremendous effect on the game.

The Milwaukee Bucks boast the reigning two-time MVP, who averaged 29.5 points per game this past season. They have another All-Star who averaged over 20.0 per game and shot over 40.0 percent from 3-point land. Scoring is important in today’s NBA but making sure these two guys get the ball in the right place must be the primary objective of the team’s point guard. If Bledsoe wants to be a shoot-first point guard, he may not be the right fit for this team given its current personnel.

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