Donte DiVincenzo making a strong early impression in Milwaukee

On June 21, 2018, the Milwaukee Bucks somewhat surprisingly selected NCAA Tournament star Donte DiVincenzo out of Villanova, with the No. 17 overall pick in the NBA draft. In many respects, DiVincenzo felt like a reach at the time, given that his college career could be described as solid, rather than spectacular, combined with the fact he was already 21 years old.

In fact, it could certainly be argued that he would never have been in the conversation if not for a devastating run at the NCAA Tournament, a place where draft stock outside the top-10 lives and dies. Starting in just 12 of his 85 appearances for Villanova in his three-year college career, DiVincenzo’s explosion on the national stage couldn’t have come at a better time.

Capping his Tournament outburst was an All-Time scoring record for a reserve in the championship game. Leading Villanova to the title, DiVincenzo poured in 31 points, including a critical stretch of 11 straight third-quarter points and 5-for-7 shooting from deep overall.

Highlighting how quickly the DDV star had risen, his response to a reporters question via ESPN, on potentially starting next season gives a solid snapshot of his frame of mind at that point.

“Hopefully,” DiVincenzo said. “Might have to talk to Coach about that.”

DiVincenzo was talking about his coach at the time, Jay Wright; though new Milwaukee head coach Mike Budenholzer had other ideas. Those who follow the Bucks closely would have been able to quickly identify DiVincenzo as a definitive ‘Bud guy’. Fitting the mold of the new head coaches offensive scheme, the 21-year-old has great size for a guard at 6-foot-6, is athletic, and as we know, will space the floor.

Despite the Bucks roster of the past few years suggesting otherwise, it’s been clear as day that Milwaukee desperately needed to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with shooters. Their recruiting attempts over the past few years to bring in Tony Snell, Mirza Teletovic and Matthew Dellavedova indicated an attempt to fix their woes, but inadequate offensive schemes and literally zero spacing in the halfcourt limited their effect.

On top of drafting DiVincenzo, the Bucks acquired Brook Lopez and Ersan Ilyasova over the summer, who have combined to help to unleash a deadly Milwaukee offense, totally abandoning the abyss that was their staple under Jason Kidd — the mid-range.

The Bucks finished the preseason averaging 40.3 3-point attempts per game, up from their average of 24.7 during last years season. Through two regular season games so far, they have attempted 40 per game, including a franchise record 47 — the previous record was 36 — in a blowout win against the Indiana Pacers.

In addition to the 3-point barrage the Bucks are unloading, they are also running an effective offensive system designed to free up space for franchise superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. At all times, the four players surrounding the Greek Freak have the green light to launch while maintaining perpetual motion that is creating a true ‘pick your poison’ scenario for their opponents.

DiVincenzo fits the mold perfectly, with his athleticism and ability to move away from the ball proving influential in the seasons early going. Speaking after the Bucks 118-101 rout of the Indiana Pacers, Mike Budenholzer was effusive in his praise of DiVincenzo while outlining how he’s been able to confidently insert the rookie into a deep Bucks rotation.

“You watch him in practice, you watch him in games, you watch him in the draft and again, all these guys at this level are great competitors but then there’s some guys that kind of separate themselves and show a willingness to do anything to win,” Budenholzer explained.

“Win a possession, win a ball, take a big shot, he’s just showing his teammates he’s got all those inherent intangible characteristics that give you confidence to put him on the court.”

Through the first two regular season games of his NBA career DiVincenzo has averaged about 20 minutes per game, relegating key rotation players from last season Tony Snell, Matthew Dellavedova and Sterling Brown to minimized roles.

The sharp rise to prominence hasn’t come totally without challenges, as Donte has at times looked a little rushed and indecisive with the ball in hand. The Bucks are attempting to play at breakneck speed, which has resulted in DiVincenzo getting caught in two minds at times.

Below is an example of the indecisiveness, which actually comes about again, due to the multiple options at his disposal. Given a clear lane to the rack, DiVincenzo in all likelihood could finish an easy lay-up at the rim but instead leaves his feet, as he considers passing to the open corner. It ends in an ugly turnover, but that’s ok, he’s learning on the job.

Averaging 2.5 turnovers per game, it’s certainly a case of learning on the job, and the adjustment in intensity from preseason to the regular season has been a learning experience in itself.

“Guys play harder [in the regular season]. Now it’s for real so guys are just going to compete more,” DiVincenzo said at shoot-around on the morning of the Pacers games.

He might be adjusting to the speed of the NBA game, but he’s certainly not showing any signs of bashfulness when he sees a shot he likes — of which there are plenty.

Connecting on three of his 10 attempts from deep thus far, he is promptly asserting himself as a quick triggered gunner from beyond the arc. The video below is evidence of that quick release, where he is given a glimmer of space off a John Henson screen, which is all he needs, as he fires away just seconds into the offensive possession.

Make or miss, this type of shot attempt is going to continue to be encouraged by Budenholzer and his staff, who are hellbent on ensuring the entire roster have the confidence to take advantage of an open look in any situation. DiVincenzo spoke to the freedom this allows, at a time when he could easily be forgiven for feeling overawed by the blur that is early season NBA play.

“It’s big time, because when we’re defending, nobody cares what type of shots we are getting on the offensive end. Obviously we want to get our shots in motion but if it’s a good look then there’s no hesitation,” he explained.

The first challenge for this freshly minted offense came in the season opener, as the Bucks let slip a comfortable double digit lead in the final minute, before regaining the lead and outlasting the Hornets 113-112.

The Bucks offense ground to a halt in the second half, becoming locked in slow paced half-court sets and suddenly veered away from the deep ball. After such a dominant preseason and first half to that point, the question of how the Bucks ensure their minds remain free and loose under such adversity arose.

“Just having confidence, just being unconscious shooting the ball,” DiVincenzo responded. “You can’t be out there thinking a lot because when you’re thinking you’re going to start missing shots.”

Time will tell if this method is one that eventually leads to long awaited success for these Bucks, but for now, their rookie is turning heads.

He’s young, brash and confident. Just the way Budenholzer wants him.