Are the Bucks Set Up for Failure Yet Again?
Milwaukee already appears destined for the same postseason fate
While it’s still early in the NBA season, Milwaukee Bucks fans should start tempering expectations. This team is not going to win the championship. The Bucks currently sit third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 9–6. The team’s record itself shouldn’t necessarily spark concern. Their play against other top teams this season however should.
The issue for Milwaukee is never against average or below average teams. The Bucks typically roll these teams whenever they play them. This also continues into the postseason, as they usually handle the eighth seed with ease. Milwaukee’s issues start once they face a real test in the playoffs. In 2019 it was the Kawhi Leonard led Toronto Raptors. Last season it was the Jimmy Butler led Miami Heat. In both series the Bucks couldn’t live up to expectations. That trend looks like it’s going to continue this season as well.
Despite only playing 15 games thus far, Milwaukee has already shown struggles against the top teams in the league. The Bucks have lost games against the Celtics, the Jazz, the Nets, and the Lakers; all teams which have high postseason expectations. Meanwhile, Milwaukee has been beating up on opponents such as the Bulls, the Pistons, and the Cavaliers.
Early season losses aren’t the only reason why the Bucks will yet again struggle to find playoff success either.
Last season Milwaukee’s defense was outstanding. The team allowed the eighth-fewest points per game, along with the lowest field goal percentage per game. This season however, the Bucks’ defense has taken a step back. They’re currently 16th in points allowed per game, and 10th in field goal percentage allowed per game. That’s not all, as Milwaukee went from averaging the third-most blocks per game last year, to averaging the tenth-fewest this year.
The Bucks’ offense on the other hand, has been able to maintain mostly the same stats from last season. After finishing first in points per game, and third in field goal percentage per game last year, Milwaukee ranks third in points per game, and second in field goal percentage this season.
The problem is staying the same wasn’t going to be enough for the Bucks. There’s a reason they made the trade to acquire Jrue Holiday from New Orleans. This team wants to win an NBA championship. Holiday however, is putting up similar numbers as Eric Bledsoe did last season. This year Holiday is averaging 16.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. Last season Bledsoe, who Holiday was supposed to be a major upgrade over, averaged 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. So far, Milwaukee isn’t getting a great return on their investment.
Holiday isn’t the only slight disappointment either, as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s stats have also dipped some. Now don’t get me wrong, Giannis by no means is playing bad. He just isn’t performing to his expectations which last season’s MVP award bring. After averaging 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, along with a 31.94 PER (player efficiency rating) last year, Giannis is currently putting up 27 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, along with a 26.16 PER. Even just a slight dip in Antetokounmpo’s production has already hampered Milwaukee this season.
So where does the team go from here?
Well to be honest I’m not really sure. The Bucks will still win plenty of regular season games. That however, isn’t why Giannis re-signed with Milwaukee. This team will be judged on championships. The road to one this season may be harder than ever though. Just in the East, Philadelphia appears to have things clicking as they’re currently the one seed. Boston has already shown this season they can beat the Bucks. Then there’s the three-headed monster in Brooklyn. Unfortunately for Milwaukee fans, it appears a title won’t be coming to your city this season.
