Adding Bledsoe will have ripple effect
Combo guard will allow Kidd to alter lineups
SAN ANTONIO - For all intents and purposes, it was business as usual for the Milwaukee Bucks when they assembled at the AT&T Center for practice Wednesday ahead of their game against the San Antonio Spurs at 8 p.m. Friday.
There was a film session followed by a defense-heavy practice that began with a multiple-effort drill where the ball swung around, necessitating multiple defensive movements from each player along with plenty of communication. Greg Monroe wasn’t there, though over the past week he hadn’t been around much while rehabbing his strained left calf.
Off the court, though, there was plenty of change that is expected to impact the team very soon. Point guard Eric Bledsoe, whom the Bucks acquired Tuesday in a trade with the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Monroe and a pair of protected draft picks, was in Milwaukee on Wednesday undergoing a physical — a routine aspect of the trade that he and Monroe will both need to pass in order for the deal to be fully completed.
While practice proceeded as normal in San Antonio, Bucks coach Jason Kidd and his staff spent time throughout the day discussing how to best use Bledsoe when he does join the team, something Kidd hoped would happen either Wednesday night or early Thursday.
“We’ll see,” Kidd said when asked
about Bledsoe’s role. “We talked about it a little bit this morning and we’ll talk about it tonight and tomorrow about the rotation and how we’re probably going to go. I don’t think it affects anything; I think he can help both making the bench better and also hopefully making the starters better.”
Regardless of how Kidd decides to use Bledsoe, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound combo guard known for his scoring, strength, speed and athleticism, his presence is going to impact the backcourt. Reigning rookie of the year Malcolm Brogdon has shouldered the bulk of the load at point guard, averaging 16.2 points, 4.9 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 48.8% on three-pointers in 33.6 minutes per game.
A starter for more than a third of his rookie season, not including Milwaukee’s six-game playoff series, Brogdon has maintained that role in each of his nine appearances this season and has established himself as the team’s reliable third option on offense. Brogdon doesn’t know how exactly Bledsoe will fit, but he’s certain his presence will help and the two will be able to play alongside one another regardless of who handles the ball.
When it comes to starting or coming off the bench, Brogdon isn’t worried.
“Starting you automatically get into your rhythm faster,” Brogdon said. “Coming off the bench you’re colder, it can be harder at times. But I’ve done both and I’m going to do whatever this team needs me to do.”
Bledsoe’s addition also will impact backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova, who has logged 21.2 minutes per game. It’s been a difficult start to the season for Dellavedova and the Bucks’ second unit as a whole.
When it comes to Bledsoe’s addition, Dellavedova sees some positives in the shared workload.
“We’ll see how it goes, but (with) shorter minutes everybody should be able to go harder and do it on both ends,” Dellavedova said. “We’ve been scoring a lot of points; we need to get some stops.”
While Bledsoe’s presence will shake up the guard rotation, it also changes the way the team can structure its frontcourt. John Henson and Thon Maker have been the primary centers, but Kidd also has used Giannis Antetokounmpo there at times to give the Bucks a fast, dynamic lineup that doesn’t give up any length on defense. Bledsoe could slot into that type of lineup, making it more dangerous with another playmaker who could bring the ball up so that Antetokounmpo could play on the wing.
A limiting factor with that lineup, though, is Antetokounmpo is already playing big minutes and exerting a lot of energy without having to lock down the interior for long stretches. He’s also gotten into foul trouble at times.
Antetokounmpo (37.2) and Khris Middleton (36.9) entered Wednesday ranked third and fifth in the league in minutes per game. Kidd hopes Bledsoe can help bring those numbers down while keeping the Bucks running at both ends, which would open up other rotational possibilities.
“Making sure that if we can keep (Antetokounmpo’s) minutes a little down and keep him out of foul trouble that gives you the option of playing him at the five,” Kidd said.
On the defensive end, Bledsoe projects to fit in quite well. He’s averaged 1.4 steals during his eight seasons and has the ability to keep up with opposing point guards. Kidd hasn’t gotten to evaluate Bledsoe in person yet, but he’s been told Bledsoe has stayed in shape despite being barred from the Suns’ practice facility for most of the past three weeks after his public falling out with team management.
With that in mind, Kidd sees Bledsoe as a dynamic defender who provides skills the Bucks don’t have among their current guards.
“I think he brings something that we don’t have at the point of attack and that’s his speed,” Kidd said. “Hopefully he can help in the pick and roll situation with Thon or with John, being able to use his speed and his toughness. He’s a strong guard, so hopefully those things that he can bring to the table can help with the pick and roll and also I think he’s able to get his hands on balls and steals. He has a nose for the ball.”