Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Bucks fans and fans across the country.
This Milwaukee Bucks season was never going to be pretty and, so far, well, the Bucks could crack mirrors. There’s still plenty to be excited about, of course—namely, the team’s three youngest players—but to this point these Bucks aren’t exactly the dawgs we hoped they’d be. Porous on the perimeter and feeble inside, are these Bucks simply too nice?
Steal a possession? Deny a shot? Not these Bucks.
After seven games, the Bucks have shown promise on the glass—even if there are some warning signs—in an attempt to win the possession game and maximise their opportunities to keep the scoreboard ticking over and the games close. But there is more than one way to skin a cat, and the Bucks aren’t doing much to make life difficult for their opponents—certainly not from a disruption point of view. So far, the Bucks sit dead last in steals per game (5.6 SPG), nearly half a steal worse than their nearest opponent (the Memphis Grizzlies, who average 6.0 SPG). They’re also dead last in opponent turnovers, forcing just 12.7 per game (nearly a full turnover fewer than the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz, who force 13.6 turnovers a night). All this means that Milwaukee isn’t generating extra looks through its defence.
Compounding the issue, the Bucks are mediocre at best when it comes to turning back shot attempts. Myles Turner and (sometimes) Kel’el Ware aside, these Bucks simply do not block shots, averaging just 4.6 BPG thus far, “good” for 18th in the league. But the Bucks’ rim troubles don’t stop there. They’re currently 23rd in the league in defending the paint, conceding 50.9 points in the paint per night, while also allowing 27.6 free throw attempts per night (22nd in the league). It should come as no surprise then that they rank 21st in the league in opponent effective field goal percentage (at 54.8%).
Roster limitations and mantra malfunctions
Realistically, these numbers shouldn’t be too surprising. While Turner blocks shots, he’s never been an elite defender or physical presence—and he’s the Buck with the best defensive reputation. Kyle Kuzma and Jaime Jaquez Jr. compete, but they don’t have the physical gifts or explosive athleticism to be more than useful team defenders. In the backcourt, Tyler Herro has long been a defensive liability—or at least regarded as such. And none of these guys have any “nasty” in ’em.
Ryan Rollins, on the other hand, has the length, and has shown the capacity to lock down at times. He’s also got some of that defensive stink to him (see his battles with Tyrese Haliburton). But in the early season, Rollins has seemed more intent on getting his shot off in a completely understandable bid to (1) prove himself worthy of the expectations placed on him prior to the season and (2) prove himself worthy of a new, lucrative contract—from Milwaukee or someone else—next offseason. Forest for the trees type stuff.
Of course, it’s also worth noting that, despite their limitations, the starting group prior to last night’s change-up has actually been a real positive for the Bucks. This group—the team’s most frequent five-man lineup with 75 minutes of playing time—has a +21.6 net rating (per Basketball-Reference). Comparatively, just four of the team’s 19 other five-man lineups have fared better, but each of these have played fewer than seven minutes together. In fact, besides the starting group, no other five-man lineup has played more than 17 minutes of action thus far, making it difficult to truly determine which combinations are working and which aren’t.
Another factor to consider is the team’s bench. Outside of AJ Green, the core reserves are all very young, meaning they’re simultaneously learning the NBA game and trying to establish themselves in the league. This is not a new combination, but it’s not an easy one either—and certainly not one that typically leads to winning basketball. Youth aside, the Bucks’ bench also lacks any true defensive aces—at least at this stage—despite their effort (see Kasparas Jakučionis, Brayden Burries, and Nate Ament) or gifts (see Kel’el Ware). All of this is to say that, like the players themselves, Jon Horst has more work to do.
On a bigger scale, could the Bucks’ struggles to disrupt opposing offences in part boil down to a mantra malfunction? Their new motto, “Compete. Together. Get better,” sure is wholesome, but is it all a bit too Brady Bunch? And is Jenkins leaning too much into relationship-building with his new herd of fawns? His decision to bench Rollins suggests not. The likely answer, then, is that this is simply a case of culture first, results later. Build rapport—nurture the youth—then let the metamorphoses begin.
Regardless, for the Bucks to start doing more than show glimpses between the cracks, they might have to find a way to get a little meaner.
What do you think? Are these Bucks too squeaky clean? Let us know your thoughts by voting below—and don’t forget to explain your reasons in the comments.
