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“I just feel like Jae is a winner”- Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer is ecstatic over their new acquisition

Jae Crowder gives the Milwaukee Bucks more depth.
Matthew Dugandzic|
“I just feel like Jae is a winner”- Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer is ecstatic over their new acquisition
“I just feel like Jae is a winner”- Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer is ecstatic over their new acquisition

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Milwaukee Bucks

Their lone acquisition of Jae Crowder after the trade deadline may not be one of the biggest names, but head coach Mike Budenholzer was more than happy with their light harvest during the NBA trade deadline.

Not much, but just enough

Budenholzer was visibly ecstatic with the team's acquisition of Jae Crowder following a three-team deal that involved the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets.

From scoring to providing hard-nosed defense, Budenholzer said Crowder brings so much to the table that can boost what is already a promising season for the Bucks.

"His toughness, his defense, what he brings on that end of the court is special," Budenholzer said after the Bucks' 115-106 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

In acquiring Crowder, the Bucks had to part ways with George Hill, Jordan Nwora, and Serge Ibaka.

Milwaukee also gave up five future second-round picks, but getting the services of Crowder while keeping their rotation intact was a commendable move.

Crowder's track record

The 32-year Crowder played the last two seasons in Phoenix. He shot 38.9% from the three-point area in the 2020-21 season, where he averaged 27.5 minutes per game.

He helped the Suns reach the Finals in 2021, but they ended up losing to the Bucks.

Crowder will be beefing up the Bucks' wing rotation that features Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joe Ingles, Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen, and the fit-again Khris Middleton.

Aside from his ability to defend the opposing team's best perimeter player and provide a scoring spark, Crowder's winning attitude excites Budenholzer the most.

"I just feel like Jae is a winner," Budenholzer concluded.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.