As we close the door on 2016, nobody in the NBA would have thought that the 36th overall pick in June’s draft, Malcolm Brogdon, would have done as much damage 32 games into his career than he has already done.
Had Joel Embiid made his rookie debut in 2014 instead of this year, Malcolm Brogdon would be in consideration for rookie of the year with virtually no competition.
At 24, Malcolm Brogdon is older than both Giannis Antetokounmpo (22) and Jabari Parker (21), who combine for over 44 points per game. So despite having no NBA experience, Brogdon’s poise on and off the court makes him appear more as a veteran than a rookie. He is often referred to as “the president”:
“I thought that was his nickname. Do you know why? They say he’s really smart. Maybe he’ll become President of the United States,” said his teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo in an interview a few weeks ago.
With Matthew Dellavedova recently sidelined due to a hamstring injury, this forced Bucks head coach Jason Kidd to insert Brogdon into the starting lineup.
The Bucks struggled defensively in Brogdon’s first career start, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-99. Brogdon put up numbers similar to what we are used to seeing out of him thus far this season (11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists).
The next day on the second half of a back to back set, the Bucks traveled to Chicago for the third meeting between the Bucks and Bulls this season.
The game was close for the majority of the way, but Milwaukee was able to pull away in the fourth quarter, defeating their border rivals 116-96, moving the season series to 3-0.
With 1:32 left in the game, Malcolm Brogdon reached a career milestone that had him smiling from ear to ear, as a Greg Monroe layup gave Brogdon his 10th assist of the game, and more importantly, his first career triple-double in just two career starts. He finished with 15 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds, and an ice bath in the locker room after the game.
The Bucks ended 2016 on a high note, picking up their 16th win of the season. This win, backed by Brogdon’s triple-double, and Giannis and Jabari’s combined 62 points, should give them momentum into the new year. Even if Matthew Dellavedova returns from his injury anytime soon, there still might be a new name in the Bucks’ starting five, and his name is Malcolm Brogdon.
