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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 reasons they will win the Eastern Conference

By Dylan Piccolo

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 6: Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates with Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and John Henson #31 after hitting a three pointer against the Washington Wizards in the second half at Capital One Arena on January 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 6: Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates with Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and John Henson #31 after hitting a three pointer against the Washington Wizards in the second half at Capital One Arena on January 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 20: Eric Bledsoe /

4. Eric Bledsoe will be a Budenholzer guy

The Milwaukee Bucks took a chance last year when they traded Greg Monroe and a protected first-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Eric Bledsoe. It didn’t push them to a playoff series victory like they hoped, but it gave them a valuable asset.

Bledsoe is on the last year of his deal giving him every incentive to play his best. Some people initially had an issue with how Bledsoe’s playing style would mesh with the skill-set of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bledsoe had some head-scratching moments with his time with the Bucks where he seemingly didn’t show up. If it wasn’t for Terry Rozier who slowed Bledsoe down, the Bucks could have moved onto the second round of the playoffs.

With Mike Budenholzer taking over it will be one of his first tasks to see if Bledsoe can fit within his system. We know that defense will always be a strong suit of Bledsoe, which in turn should help grow trust with Budenholzer right out of the gate. Once that trust is built between the two we can see Bud work his magic on Bledsoe offensively.

One of the first things that will need to be addressed is his shot selection. The three-point shot didn’t treat him well last season shooting 34 percent on 4.9 attempts a game. Bledsoe isn’t the worst shooter by any means, but taking five threes a game doesn’t play into his strengths.

Without any direction or scheme last season, Bledsoe still averaged 17 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Under Budenholzer’s new system and the loss of Jabari Parker, we could see his numbers take yet a jump to an All-Star level. He is now the third guy for the Bucks and needs to show consistency in every game.

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