There’s no denying that the Milwaukee Bucks have the talent and experience to win a championship next year. However, according to NBA analysis, there’s one statistic that highlights the team’s problem heading into the upcoming campaign.
As the Bucks prepare for the upcoming season, head coach Doc Rivers faces a critical decision regarding the team’s physicality and overall energy. Last season, the Bucks struggled to keep up with younger, more vigorous teams, relying heavily on two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The lack of explosive play from other players exposed a significant gap in physicality.
Rivers must take into account integrating teenage talentslike Andre Jackson Jr. to inject some much-needed agility into the lineup. While these younger players may be less experienced, their potential for high-energy play could provide the team with a much-needed boost. Jackson, for example, had 16 dunks last season, showing his ability to add excitement and explosiveness.
But bringing in youth comes with risks, including potentially disrupting the team chemistry that experienced players bring, especially in high-pressure situations. The Bucks recently added experienced players like Delon Wright and Taurean Prince, who add to their skill sets but lack the explosive athleticism needed to compete effectively.
Milwaukee Bucks’ wild stats shed lithe on team’s biggest concern heading into 2024-25 NBA season
As it stands, the Bucks have almost every vital aspect of the game covered. According to For Buck Pass’ Dalton Sellalthough they lack physical fitness.
“One statistic that shows just how unathletic the Milwaukee Bucks were last season was highlighted on a recent episode of the Hoop Collective podcast with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontempts and Tim MacMahon. They dug into the numbers and said that only two players on the roster had dunked the ball at least 25 times last season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the team, not surprisingly, and the league in dunks with 251, but the next closest to Buck was Brook Lopez with 42, which ranked 83rd in the league. Behind Lopez was Bobby Portis, who totaled 22 dunks, which ranked 145th in the Association.
Outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks don’t have many athletes who rely primarily on dunks. Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard are great shooters, but they rely on their shooting. Lopez and Portis are both towering giants, so they can dunk the ball occasionally, but they’re also primarily tall players who shoot the long ball. Pat Connaughton used to be a frequent dunker, but his athleticism has waned,” Sell wrote.
The question remains whether Rivers will be able to utilize the team’s younger talent to solve this problem. As it stands, the Bucks don’t have the budget space or resources to bring in athletic players because it would significantly change the dynamic of the roster.
Ultimately, Rivers may need to prioritize a youthful roster transition. Embracing that change could reinvigorate the Bucks’ energy and effectiveness, allowing them to better compete with the league’s younger competition. Balancing experience with youthful vigor will be key to the Bucks’ success this upcoming season.
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