Mar 9, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) controls the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of a semifinal game of the 2018 ACC tournament at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Bucks will benefit from their Duke University connection next season
Milwaukee Bucks Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Duke to Milwaukee Bucks: 3. Grayson Allen
Grayson Allen finds himself in a position to compete for a starting job for Milwaukee next season. The previous starter, Donte DiVincenzo suffered an injury that caused him to miss most of last year’s playoff run and will sideline him for the beginning of the season. DiVincenzo’s backup, Bryn Forbes went to the San Antonio Spurs as a free agent. That leaves the shooting guard spot open to the player who impresses Coach Mike Budenholzer during training camp and the preseason.
At 6’4″, Allen is a lengthy guard with a good combination of strength and agility. He can guard either backcourt position with equal success. Starting point guard, Jrue Holiday, is among the best perimeter defenders in the league. With Allen and Holiday in the backcourt together, the Milwaukee Bucks could cause a good number of turnovers, which become transition opportunities and easy baskets.
Last season, as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, Grayson Allen attempted 5.5 3-pointers per game and knocked them down at a rate of 39.1 percent. If he’s able to keep shooting the ball like that, there will definitely be minutes available for him in Milwaukee’s rotation. Giannis Antetokounmpo has become a high IQ player who passes well out of the double team. He will find the open man when the defense collapses; it is up to guys like Allen to knock down open shots.
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part of the foundation that’s already been laid</a>.</p>
<p>Although the franchise is coming off of their first championship in fifty years, they are far from complacent. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton spent the summer with Team USA basketball, winning an Olympic Gold Medal in the process. Experiences like that tend to push players towards optimum performance. This is the environment that Allen, DeLaurier and Hood find themselves being inserted into. The mentality is win now, not later.</p>
<h2>The Milwaukee Bucks will have three former Duke Blue Devils on their roster next season. The connection to the college basketball program will pay dividends.</h2>
<p>Duke University has one of the most storied programs in the history of college basketball. This past off-season, legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski announced that this upcoming season would be his final season at the helm. Over the years, he has impacted the lives of multitudes of young men, many of whom went on to become stars in the NBA.</p>
<p>In honor of “Coach K,” let’s take a closer look at how the Bucks’ trio of “Dukies” can contribute as the team attempts to win its second consecutive NBA championship.</p>
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