Malcolm Brogdon not playing second fiddle in rookie season
NEW ORLEANS – Malcolm Brogdon is up first on the NBA all-star weekend.
The Milwaukee Bucks rookie is playing for the U.S. team in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night, a game featuring the league’s top first- and second-year players.
The 24-year-old Brogdon clearly has earned his way to the honor while ranking among the top rookies in several categories this season.
The former University of Virginia star is following in the footsteps of Bucks teammates Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker, who have made recent appearances in the event featuring young stars.
Now, Antetokounmpo will be playing on the main stage Sunday night at the Smoothie King Center as the Bucks’ first all-star representative since Michael Redd in 2004.
“It’s good company for sure,” Brogdon said.
The Atlanta native was a second-round pick in the 2016 draft, the 36th overall choice, but his confidence in his ability never wavered.
“He knows how to play,” Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. “He knows he still has a long way to go. But his hunger and his fight have put him in a position to have success.
“You could see it in summer league but also in training camp, his calmness and his teams winning drills. Then guys were feeling very comfortable playing with him.”
It translated to instant opportunity with the Bucks, particularly when Michael Carter-Williams was traded to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for shooting guard Tony Snell during training camp.
That meant Brogdon was the primary backup to Matthew Dellavedova and would be getting regular playing time.
Brogdon was not sure what to expect. But he excelled off the bench in partnership with Bucks big man Greg Monroe.
And when Dellavedova went down with a hamstring injury and Brogdon was called on to start, the rookie posted a triple-double in his second game as a starter on New Year’s Eve in Chicago.
“Pace of play is the thing I’ve picked up quickly,” Brogdon said of adjusting to the NBA game. “I thought I might struggle it with a little more.
“I think it’s a product of coach Kidd and my teammates and the whole organization and me feeling comfortable here. The things I’ve struggled with?
“I think just consistency. That’s the hardest thing to do in this league, especially for a rookie. There are going to be ups and downs. I want to get better at that.”
Brogdon had eight points and four assists in the Bucks’ final game before the break, a 129-125 victory at Brooklyn on Wednesday night.
He has played in all 55 games while averaging 9.4 points, 4.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds. He leads all rookies in three-point percentage, making 41.7% of his attempts.
Philadelphia center Joel Embiid is considered the top candidate for rookie of the year, but he currently is out with a knee injury and might have competition if he is sidelined for too many games.
That could leave an opening for Brogdon to be considered in the rookie of the year race, also including the 76ers’ Dario Saric and Phoenix Suns’ Marquese Chriss.
“He should be considered for rookie of the year and should be one of the top two guys,” Kidd said.
Brogdon played in a much different defensive system under coach Tony Bennett at Virginia, one that allowed more perimeter looks.
In the NBA he is chasing top point guards, and at 6 foot 5 he also has defended LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard.
“College defenses are a lot different than the NBA,” Kidd said. “One, the skill set is different. And playing the (opposing) point guard, there are no easy nights.
“They (the Virginia Cavaliers) definitely wanted to pack the paint and make you play from the perimeter, but with everybody shooting threes you can’t do that at this level. He has done a great job in making the adjustment.”
Kidd pointed to Manu Ginobili and Gilbert Arenas as second-round picks that made a huge impact in the league. The Bucks had one, too, selecting Redd with the 43rd overall pick in the 2000 draft.
Brogdon can play on or off the ball, a versatility that fits with the Bucks using Antetokounmpo as a primary playmaker. Now that Khris Middleton has returned from injury, he also can initiate the offense.
“For a point guard it’s the process,” Kidd said. “You’ve got to keep notes and have a mental Rolodex. You have to be able to locate and recognize what is happening.
“He can catch and shoot the ball and his gap driving is above average; it’s very good. He might not be the fastest.
“He understands if he can shoot the ball the way he is shooting it now, it’s just going to help him do a lot of different things when he has the ball.”
The U.S. will play the World team at 8 p.m. (Central time) Friday.
Brogdon will not have much time for vacation during the break. On Monday night he is scheduled to have his No. 15 jersey retired by Virginia when it plays host to Miami (Fla.) in Charlottesville, Va.
“It’s all good things happening,” Brogdon said.
Lasry playing again: Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry will take part in the celebrity game on Friday night at the Superdome.
The game will be televised by ESPN starting at 6 p.m.
Last year Lasry played on a team led by actor and comedian Kevin Hart. This year Lasry will be on the East team that includes Brazilian basketball legend Oscar Schmidt, WNBA star Lindsay Whalen and former NBA point guard Jason Williams.