Camille Davis and Justin Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Bucks podcast, with your daily Locked On Bucks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Bucks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Unexpected Struggles: Can They Turn the Season Around?
Nov 10, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images|Benny Sieu/Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Milwaukee Bucks: Navigating a Rocky Start to the Season
The Milwaukee Bucks have kicked off the season with a challenging 2-8 record, a start that has left fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s potential. As we dissect the first ten games, it’s clear that the Bucks are grappling with issues that need immediate attention to turn their season around.
Assessing the Early Struggles
The Bucks’ early performance has been a far cry from preseason expectations. With only two wins against teams struggling themselves, the Bucks find themselves in an unexpected position. The absence of key players like Khris Middleton has been felt, particularly in games against stronger opponents. His return is anticipated to bolster the offense, which has been underwhelming, ranking 19th in the league. The defense, too, has been a concern, sitting at 26th, a significant drop from previous seasons.
Camille Davis and I have noted that the team’s ceiling might not be as high as initially thought. The recurring issues of boxing out, grabbing rebounds, and transition defense have persisted, despite changes in coaching. However, there’s a silver lining: the Eastern Conference has also had a rocky start, with only two teams above .500. This means the Bucks are not far from climbing the standings if they can capitalize on upcoming games.
Finding Solutions and Moving Forward
The path forward for the Bucks involves addressing both offensive and defensive shortcomings. The team needs to improve its shot selection, particularly increasing three-point attempts to match modern NBA standards. Currently, the Bucks are 15th in three-point shot frequency, a stark contrast to their top-four ranking in previous seasons. This adjustment could help open up the floor and create better scoring opportunities.
Defensively, the Bucks must tighten their perimeter defense and reduce the number of quality looks opponents are getting at the rim. The team has struggled to contain opponents at the point of attack, leading to an increase in high-percentage shots against them. Improving this aspect of their game is crucial for turning close games into wins.
The upcoming schedule presents an opportunity for the Bucks to regain their footing. With games against teams like the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons, the Bucks have a chance to string together victories and build momentum. It’s essential for the team to approach these games with a sense of urgency and focus, as the competition will only get tougher as the season progresses.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Milwaukee Bucks’ season, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
- The impact of Khris Middleton’s absence on the Bucks’ performance
- Analyzing the Bucks’ defensive struggles and potential solutions
- Upcoming schedule and key games for the Bucks
- The role of young players in the Bucks’ rotation
- Strategies for improving the Bucks’ offensive efficiency
The second annual NBA In-Season Tournament/much catchier ‘NBA Cup’ begins tonight, kicking off roughly a month of tournament games that fall on Tuesdays and Fridays. Then, we get into the quarterfinals and conference semifinals, the rules of which I am still not 100% clear on and am not ashamed to admit.
The newness of the Cup is what makes people skeptical of it. It’s what made me skeptical of it last season. It’s difficult to introduce new things into competitive ecosystems that seem largely “set”, which is why it happens rarely. My skepticism of the tournament came from the need to gameify what is already a game, but then I thought about how often the “product” of the NBA (e.g. basketball) gets complained about and realized the league was trying something. Trying something different versus just complaining about what already exists for the sake of griping is also rare.
Part of the fun of the tournament in its current, very green iteration, is its messiness. Last season, athletes were clear about how they, too, were stumped on the rules. How did the point system work? What were the knockout rules? Why were the custom courts so garish? But for the most part, players leaned into it. Did the Lakers lean a little too hard into it by hanging the In-Season Tournament banner in the rafters? Absolutely. But these are Tuesday night games in November — nothing about them should be sacrosanct.
A genuine lift I noticed and liked about last season’s tournament, and my real point of defense, is how these games operated as additional runway for a handful of teams on the verge. The In-Season Tournament was where we started to see the Pacers flourish and use the breakneck speed that went on to become a critical component of their entirely unique offense. The Pelicans also treated the tournament as something different, approaching the games like an escape from the early season injury woes that derailed them (unfortunately in a very cruel deja vu, we’re seeing the same thing this season). There’s going to be more emerging teams and play styles showing themselves this time around.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview Get ready for the Bucks vs. Raptors showdown! Check out the start time, TV schedule, and injury report for this in-season tournament clash.
Analysis Check out this Monday morning media roundup for insights on the Bucks’ regular-season performance and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impact.
Injury The NBA has a ‘missing stars’ problem with injuries piling up faster than normal. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rumor Did Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fake handshake prank launch a new NBA rivalry?
Preview The tiny town and legendary 1980s NBA team that built NBA Draft phenom Cooper Flagg (ESPN)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Monday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Recap
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center.|Photo by Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action featured five games, each packed with performances and injury updates that could reshape your fantasy basketball strategy.
Injury Updates Affecting Lineups
Damian Lillard’s entry into concussion protocol means he’ll miss Tuesday’s game, with a slim chance of returning by Wednesday. This quick turnaround is unusual, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is still dealing with back spasms, and despite his fantasy position eligibility, he’s not a point guard, averaging only two assists per game. The Milwaukee Bucks are experimenting with their lineup, with Pat Connaughton and Ryan Rollins as potential backup point guards. Giannis Antetokounmpo can handle point guard duties, but he needs support, especially with Khris Middleton unavailable.
Zion Williamson’s injury update is a blow to fantasy managers. He’s expected to be out for four to six weeks, longer than initially anticipated. If you have an IR spot, hold onto him, but be prepared for a potentially extended absence. Malik Monk’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least two weeks, affecting the Sacramento Kings’ lineup. Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis could see increased value in the short term.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a surprising 116-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Victor Wembanyama was the standout performer, delivering a stellar 34 points and 14 rebounds, solidifying his status as a top fantasy player. De’Aaron Fox’s assist numbers are concerning, especially with DeMar DeRozan’s arrival affecting his role. DeRozan’s on-court fit with the Kings remains a question mark. Kevin Huerter’s inconsistency continues, and while he had a hot streak, his recent performance was lacklustre. Keegan Murray’s struggles are evident, and I don’t see him breaking into the top 75 players this season.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bucks podcasts.
The Milwaukee Bucks drop to 2-8 after a six point loss to the Boston Celtics The Milwaukee Bucks faced a tough 113-107 loss to the Boston Celtics. This episode explores how the the Bucks play in the second half opened the door for the Celtics comeback.
The Milwaukee Bucks make their way back into the win column after a 23 point victory over the Utah Jazz The Milwaukee Bucks snapped a six-game losing streak with a 123-100 victory over the Utah Jazz. This episode explores the electrifying performance of the Bucks’ star duo, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who combined for an impressive 65 points showcasing their growing chemistry on the court. Andre Jackson Jr.'s defensive prowess is highlighted as he energized the starting lineup.
Are the Bucks or 76ers in a worse spot this season? The Milwaukee Bucks, tied for the worst record in the NBA at 1-6, are in a precarious position. With an upcoming game against the Utah Jazz, the pressure is on for a crucial win. This episode explores the Bucks’ struggles, comparing their situation to the Philadelphia 76ers.
