Greivis Vasquez: Valuable Piece for the Bucks Next Year
Guard Greivis Vasquez didn't score Wednesday in his return to the court, though he contributed 3 assists and 3 rebounds in the Milwaukee Bucks' 105-94 win over the Phoenix Suns. Vasquez's play was definitely noticed in his 13 minutes off the bench.
Having sat out 58 games with an ankle injury and subsequent surgery, the 6-foot, 6-inch guard may have been missed more than many people would have expected. That's not to argue he's an All-Star by any means, but his play on both ends of the court appears to be a missing piece of the puzzle.
Especially now, with the commitment to having Giannis Antetokounmpo running the point, Vasquez's value goes up as he can fill the role of backing up both guard positions. His skill set plays well in being able to handle the ball, defend guards, and play alongside Giannis as a distributor.
In building a roster, you need "glue guys" and players that fit the philosophy of the team to complement the stars that run the club. The Bucks clearly saw Vasquez as a valuable commodity, considering they overpaid in giving up a pair of draft picks, including a future 1st-rounder.
In watching him live on Wednesday, Vasquez showed great vision and pace on the offensive side, setting up his teammates perfectly on most trips down the court. They didn't always cash in, but Vasquez consistently read the defense and broke them down to find passing lanes for open shots.
For his career, Vasquez averages 13.7 points, 7.3 assists and 2.3 turnovers per 36 minutes. Each of these are better than Michael Carter-Williams' numbers this season - for comparison's sake. Vasquez stays within himself and does what works best for the team as a whole.
He also carried a certain energy and leadership with him on Wednesday, particularly on the defensive end. While he's not the quickest in 1-on-1 coverage, he's a smart defender who fills lanes and rotates properly - something the Bucks defense needs and has been lacking this year.
You won't necessarily see Vasquez filling up the box score with defensive stats like steals and defensive rebounds, although he holds his own. Vasquez's impact comes from the little things that don't equate to numbers, but help the entire defense succeed.
Milwaukee's brain trust will have some reconfiguring to do heading into next season. It all starts with how they want to handle the lineup with Giannis at point, and includes what to do with MCW and how the frontcourt might look - perhaps minus Greg Monroe.
Vasquez's health in the 2016-17 season may be the biggest key to a smooth transition since he can be a linchpin between the starters and bench. He also fits into the change in mindset when it comes to labeling positions - a trend in the NBA as a whole.