ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 11: Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts during the second half ... [+] against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe Milwaukee Bucks have surpassed the halfway mark of the NBA season, winning 27 of their first 42 games. That’s good enough for third place in the Eastern Conference, but it’s safe to say there’s work to be done.
The Bucks are less concerned about their positioning in the standings and more worried about their lack of consistent play. The offense has been a cluster all season long(more on that later). Their defense, on the other hand, has rediscovered how to be elite.
It’s been a tumultuous first half with lots of ups and downs, so here are five takeaways with 40 games remaining.
Brook Lopez’s Shooting
After spending the first eight years of his career as an exclusive back-to-the-basket post player, Brook Lopez began the transition to a perimeter-oriented big two years before landing in Milwaukee.
His first four years with the Bucks saw him launch a ton of threes (he averaged at least four three-point attempts per game) with varying degrees of success; his percentage vacillated between 31 and 36 percent which put him around a league-average shooter from deep.
He reinvented his stroke over the offseason, focusing on finding the perfect amount of arc. It seems to have done wonders: He’s shooting 38.6 percent from behind the arc which would be a career-high if it holds. He hasn’t been connecting as often since December, a cause for concern, but the percentage has continued to remain above league-average.
It would be a huge boost for the Bucks’ offense if he can carry this level of success into the postseason. He made just one of his 13 attempts in the Bucks’ second-round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics last year. That can’t happen again.
Bobby Portis’s Defense
Portis and the Bucks agreed to a long-term deal in the offseason, cementing his spot on the roster for the foreseeable future. He’s endured himself to fans thanks to his hard work, grit and toughness.
Unfortunately, those traits have been limited to the offensive end of the court this season. He works as hard as anyone to earn post position and while banging on the boards to track down rebounds. Stopping someone from scoring? Eh, not so much.
His effort level hasn’t translated to defense where he’s been a complete liability this season. Don’t get me wrong: He’s always been a limited defender, but it’s reached a new low. Portis is extremely leaky while trying to defend the rim, often allowing guys to slither right past him for easy buckets.
Offense Misses Khris Middleton
After ranking in the top seven in offensive efficiency during Mike Budenholzer’s first four seasons, they’ve taken a gigantic step backward this season, ranking 25th according to Cleaning the Glass. There are several reasons for that and one of them is the loss of Khris Middleton.
After offseason wrist and knee surgeries, Middleton missed the first 20 games of the season. He wasn’t the same guy we remembered when he returned either, as he struggled to hit shots with any consistency. In the seven games he’s played this season, he’s averaged just 11. 1 points per game while posting an awful 26.8 three-point percentage and 39.6 effective field goal percent.
Some of his struggles are to be expected when someone first returns, but the upsetting part is that he’s now missed the last 14 games and counting with knee soreness. Hopefully, Milwaukee is taking it easy on him and letting him get to 100 percent before allowing him back on the basketball court (which could be soon). It’s clear they miss his playmaking and tough-shot making.
Turnovers
You get the ball! You get the ball! YOU get the ball! The Bucks’ offense feels like an Oprah Winfrey special this season, as they can’t stop giving away the ball to the defense.
The Bucks have been one of the better teams at protecting the rock under Budenholzer, but have plummeted near the bottom of the basketball world in this aspect: They rank 23rd in turnover percentage. It’s been a season-log plague that has given opponents easy fastbreak opportunities (another area they’ve struggled). They can’t give away so many possessions and expect to compete with the top teams on a regular basis.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Shooting Struggles
It can be sinful to critique Giannis Antetkounmpo so I’ll simply stick with facts: His shooting percentages are down this season. His effective field goal percentage is his lowest since 2015-16, his success rate at the rim the lowest since 2017-18, mid-range the lowest since his rookie year, and his three-point and free throw connection rates are the second-lowest of his career.
He’s particularly struggled in the four-to-14 foot range where he’s made only 28 of his 131 attempts (21 percent). Furthermore, of the 272 players who've taken at least 20 attempts in the paint, but outside the non-restricted area, Antetokounmpo ranks last at 19.6 percent.
I don’t say all of this to bury the man, simply to point out his lack of touch this season. There are plenty of reasons for his slide: Missing Middleton, his usage percentage and minutes are sky-high, lack of shotmaking from his teammates, and more. Antetokounmpo is still great and impacting the game in myriad ways. He’s just not as great as we’ve gotten used to.
Brian Sampson, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansampson/2023/01/13/5-takeaways-about-milwaukee-bucks-at-seasons-halfway-point/
By: Brian Sampson, Contributor
Title: 5 Takeaways About Milwaukee Bucks At Season’s Halfway Point
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/briansampson/2023/01/13/5-takeaways-about-milwaukee-bucks-at-seasons-halfway-point/
Published Date: 01-14-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NBA's Bird Rights?
"Bird rights", as used in the NBA, is a rule that allows certain NBA players to be resigned by their current club for more money. This rule is named in honor of Larry Bird, an ex-player with the Boston Celtics. A team cannot exceed their salary cap to resign a player if that player has been with them for at least three consecutive years. Bird rights allow players the opportunity to keep their place on the same team, and to receive a greater salary than they could have received from any other team.
What is the difference between technical fouls and flagrant fouls in the NBA?
A technical foul in the NBA is a penalty for unsportsmanlike behaviour, such as arguing with officials or excessive celebration. A technical foul is a one-time free throw. The opposing team will also be allowed to keep the ball.
A flagrant foul refers to a player who makes abusive or violent contact against another player. It results in two free throw attempts for the opposing team and possession of the ball. Flagrant one is the most severe and Flagrant 2 is the least. Flagrant one is a lesser offense than Flagrant 2 and doesn't result in an ejection.
A personal foul is any illegal contact between two players on the court. This is often called illegal hand-checking or pushing an opponent. Personal fouls could also result in free throws and possession of a ball for the opposing player. Personal fouls are not the same as flagrant or technical fouls. However, they can be a sign of unsportsmanlike behavior.
All fouls are allowed in the NBA. They can result either in free throw attempts, or the possession of the ball by the opposing team. The difference between a technical foul and a flagrant or personal foul lies in the intent behind them and the severity of contact committed.
Which is the greatest basketball player ever?
This is a difficult question to answer as there are so many excellent players. Each person has their own opinion. Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant (LeBron James), Kareem Abde-Jabbar and Magic Johnson are some of the leading contenders to this title. Each of these legends has made an incredible impact on the game of basketball and has earned their place in basketball history. They all have different styles of play which have been greatly admired by millions. Because everyone has their opinions about who the best player is, it's impossible to definitively answer that question. We can all agree that these six exceptional players must be on any list of the greatest players of our time.
Most people agree that Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball star of all time. He was born in Wilmington on February 17, 1963.
Jordan began his professional basketball journey with the Chicago Bulls back in 1984. He quickly rose to fame and became a successful player. He was a sixtime NBA champion, six times NBA finals MVP. Five-time NBA regular seasons MVP. Ten-time NBA scoring lead, 10-time NBA first teams, nine-time NBA all defense first team, three time NBA steals leader.
Jordan was also a two time Olympic gold medalist and was inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame 2009. Jordan's remarkable ability to score from any position on the court, make plays and lead the team is what will be remembered. His unwavering drive and ambition will be an inspiration to millions around the world.
Jordan's legacy is sure to last forever. He is the undisputed best basketball player of all-time. No other player may ever come close to matching his level of greatness. He will be forever remembered as one among the greatest sports figures ever. Michael Jordan is truly the greatest player of all-time. His amazing career and accomplishments will not be forgotten. He was, remains, and always will remain "The GOAT," Michael Jordan.
Which NBA player has had the most blocked shots in a single year?
Mark Eaton's 1984-85 season set new records in blocks (456) as well as blocks per game (5.56). Eaton's total for that season is the highest single-season NBA record.
Hakeem Olajuwon holds the NBA Record for Most Career Blocks with 3,830. Olajuwon had an average of 21.8 points and 11.1 boards over his 18-year playing career, which included 1,238 games. He also had 2.5 assists and 3.1 block per game.
Statistics
- An estimated 800 million viewers watched the [105]2017–18 season. (en.wikipedia.org)
- As of 2014, 45 percent of its viewers were black, while 40 percent were white, making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.[102]As of 2017Democrats than Republicans.[103]Outside (en.wikipedia.org)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20% of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
External Links
twitter.com
- Tweet / twitter
- Sam Amico on Twitter: "Timberwolves Waive PJ Dozier, CJ Elleby and AJ Lawson - Hoops Wire https://t.co/xKu1ZTuQZN" / Twitter
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
nba.com
bleacherreport.com
- Which NBA teams will join the Victor Wembanyama tankathon?
- Latest NBA Intel: Sources Expect Zach LaVine to Re-Sign with Chicago Bulls
How To
What compensation is offered to NBA players for being injured?
Guaranteed contracts allow NBA players to keep their money even if they are injured or unable to play. Some have even made millions of dollars without ever playing a single game. The contract may expire and they may lose any bonuses. Non-guaranteed contract players won't typically be paid until they are able to play again in the NBA. The NBA can provide some assistance with disability payments or a lump sum settlement for those who qualify, but there is no guarantee of pay during an injury absence. Additionally, teams and the league may assist those in need on a case-by-case basis.
Team members can also help through the Injury Disability Plan. It depends on the individual's and team's situation. In certain cases, players might be able to reach an agreement with their teams to buyout their team to help them get money in the event of their injury. Players need to understand that there are no guarantees when receiving payment when injured, but the team and the league can provide some assistance. Each case is different, and each should be treated as such. The NBA has established a set of rules that govern injuries and payments to players for absences due to injury. This will help players understand the rules and make informed financial decisions. If you have questions or concerns, it's important to seek professional advice.
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