Bucks’ Starting Lineup Conundrum: Analyzing the Best Five-Man Groups
The Milwaukee Bucks are at a crossroads with their starting lineup, and it’s time to take a closer look at which players need to be on the court together. With Khris Middleton’s return from injury, the team has reverted to a familiar starting five, but the results have been less than stellar.
The numbers don’t lie. When Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Middleton share the floor, the Bucks’ offensive rating plummets to 104.3, placing them in the seventh percentile league-wide. This is a far cry from last season when this trio was the cornerstone of the team’s success.
Defensively, the story isn’t much better. With a 111.1 defensive rating, they’re performing slightly worse than the team’s overall top-10 defense. The stark contrast to last year’s dominance is concerning, to say the least.
However, it’s important to note that Middleton has only played in 10 games this season. The sample size is small, and there’s an argument to be made for giving this lineup more time to gel.
Interestingly, when we look at the lineup featuring Taurean Prince in place of Middleton, the offensive numbers improve significantly. The team’s offensive rating jumps to 114.6, while the defense remains relatively stable. Prince’s ability to space the floor and his chemistry with Giannis and Lillard cannot be overlooked.
The Impact of Role Players
One player who’s making a strong case for more minutes is A.J. Green. When he’s on the floor with Giannis and Lillard, the Bucks are in the 99th percentile for field goal attempts at the rim and effective field goal percentage. His shooting ability creates space for Giannis to operate, and the team’s corner three-point shooting leads the league when this trio is on the court.
As we approach the trade deadline, these lineup decisions become even more crucial. The Bucks need to figure out what they have and what they might need to acquire to make a deep playoff run.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bucks’ lineup options, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
• The declining role of Andre Jackson Jr. and its implications
• Upcoming matchup against the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama
• Jimmy Butler trade rumors and potential Bucks involvement
