Malcolm for President
Through 33 games of the NBA 2016–2017 campaign, the rookies have been lackluster at best. Although Joel Embiid has impressed with his 18.9 PPG over 22 games played, let’s look at someone who is having a major impact for a team in good position to take a top 4 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference: Malcolm Brogdon out of the University of Virginia. As a second round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft (Rd. 2, Pick #36), Brogdon has just come off an accolade filled season including a spot on the AP 1st team All-American squad, ACC Player of the Year, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and was named a Naismith Award finalist.
Let me pose a question.
WHY WAS HE A SECOND ROUND PICK?
All the experts say it is because of his smaller upside in comparison to people like Brandon Ingram, Ben Simmons and Kris Dunn. While this may be true, the Bucks absolutely got a steal in the 24 year old from Atlanta.
With the young core players that they have (Giannis Antetokounmpo , Jabari Parker, and Khris Middleton) bringing in a level headed guy who can lead, score, and keep Giannis inside the three point arc was essential. This is exactly what Brogdon brings to the court.
As his young career began he struggled in October and November, but his December stats have him in the conversation for Rookie of the Month. Shooting better than 50% from both the field and from three, he averaged 9.1 points in 25.2 minutes. In the month he posted a career high in points (17) and recorded Milwaukee’s first rookie triple double (15 pts, 12 ast, 11 reb) in over 30 years.(!!!) Brogdon has been so good that even a triple double may not have been the highlight we remember from his solid December performance. His best play was his posterizing dunks on all star, Kyrie Irving and THE KING,LeBron James.
As a lifelong UVa fan, I totally saw this coming. He was a HUGE contributor to the turn around of a struggling program, helping the team go 89–19 over his 3 years as a starter. As this season continues, mark my words, Malcolm Brogdon will start for the Bucks and be in contention for ROY. The Buck’s faithful now call him the Prez, but they may want to re-nickname him: The Future.
