While he’s no superstar, there’s no denying that Malik Beasley has played an integral role for the Milwaukee Bucks this season. It’s also no coincidence that the 6-foot-4 shooting guard went ice-cold from distance during Milwaukee’s brutal stretch to end the regular season.
It also goes without saying that the Bucks will need Beasley to get back to proper form as they head into their first-round Playoffs clash against the Indiana Pacers.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Doc Rivers Speaks Out on Malik Beasley’s Shooting Woes
The Bucks lost six out of their last eight games to end the campaign. During that stretch, Beasley shot just 33.8 percent from the field and 28.0 percent from beyond the arc.
Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers acknowledged that Beasley, who’s shooting 41.3 percent from distance this season, is in the midst of a never-before-seen slump. The veteran shot-caller also admitted that there’s a ton of pressure on Beasley at the moment:
“He’s never been in a situation like this; last year he didn’t play a lot with the Lakers,” said Rivers, via Lori Nickell of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“… You put the pressure on, ‘If I don’t make shots, I can’t help the team.’ That’s a lot of pressure. He’s human. And he’s going to have nights where he doesn’t make shots. I want him to know – and I tell him every day – how valuable he is.”
More Than Just a Shooter
Rivers remains adamant, however, that Beasley is still going to be a crucial player for the squad despite his poor shooting form. The Bucks coach now wants Beasley to focus on his defense as well as contributing on the offensive end without scoring:
“That’s hard for a guy to see that, so we’re trying to teach that,” Rivers said.
“We’re going to need him. I want him to feel good about himself. I want him to see his value.”
Beasley’s role, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, is going to be even more critical with Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to miss the start of the Pacers series. This is Beasley’s first season with the Bucks, and what he has is a tremendous opportunity to establish himself as a pivotal member of the team and a much-appreciated fan-favorite.
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