Why The Raptors Should Fear The Deer
By Chris Wooden
2. Malcolm Brogdon
Heading into the series, it seemed a forgone conclusion that the easiest matchup for Toronto to exploit was Lowry on the Bucks rookie point guard Malcolm Brogdon. The playoffs are difficult for rookies, especially rookies starting at point guard.
Guarding an All-Star is even tougher. All signs pointed to an easy assignment for Lowry. Instead, it was Brogdon doing the exploiting. Credit head coach Jason Kidd with trusting Brogdon all season long and giving him the room to work through mistakes.
That patience was rewarded with an unexpected Game 1 performance – 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, one block and only one turnover in your first playoff game will certainly get Twitter talking.
"“When you walked out of the interview with Brogdon, you went, ‘My gosh, he should actually be running for president.’ I actually made that statement.” – Doc Rivers"
Brogdon took on more a bigger offensive role than expected because he recognized a weakness and he did what good players do. After a quick few first quarter buckets, it was apparent that Lowry’s speed had not yet returned following his 21-game absence while dealing with a wrist injury.
Brogdon attacked and used his speed to get downcourt and set the pace for a Bucks offensive performance that was blistering in the second half. Clippers coach Doc Rivers had this to say about Brogdon after last summer’s pre-draft workouts: “When you walked out of the interview with Brogdon, you went, ‘My gosh, he should actually be running for president.’ I actually made that statement.”
A savvy, efficient Game 1 performance makes it easy to see what Doc saw. Brogdon looked like the veteran, and Lowry looked like the inexperienced rookie. If the Raptors are to rebound in Game 2, it has to start with the battle of the point guards. If Lowry can’t deliver, this could be a one series flame-out and plenty of questions will need answering heading into Lowry’s free agency this offseason.