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Are back-to-back wins a sign the Milwaukee Bucks are beginning their run?
Nov 13, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates after scoring during overtime against the Detroit Pistons at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images|Jeff Hanisch/Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
A Sign of Progress or Fool’s Gold?
The Milwaukee Bucks have been on a two-game winning streak, and while it’s not quite a streak until it hits three, there’s a lot to unpack from these games. The question on everyone’s mind is whether this is the beginning of a significant run, as hinted by Doc Rivers, or if we’re just seeing a flash in the pan. The Bucks’ recent performances have shown promise, but there’s still a lot to prove.
Analyzing the Bucks’ Recent Games
The Bucks have shown improvement in their process over the last couple of weeks, despite a few setbacks against strong teams like the Cavaliers and Celtics. The defense has been climbing the ranks, now sitting around 14th or 13th, which is a positive sign. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the recent wins have come against teams that aren’t considered top-tier. Yet, these victories are essential for building confidence and demonstrating that the process is working.
Last season, the Bucks struggled against teams they were expected to beat, often losing games that left fans scratching their heads. This year, the team seems to be addressing that issue, showing up with the right mindset and execution against so-called “lesser” competition. The close games against Cleveland and Boston were encouraging, and the wins over the Jazz and Pistons, with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impressive 59-point performance, are steps in the right direction.
Upcoming Challenges and Opportunities
Looking ahead, the Bucks face the Charlotte Hornets, a team that has been surprisingly competitive this season. The Hornets have young, energetic players who could pose a challenge, but a win against them would be a significant confidence booster for the Bucks. The defense has been a focal point, and with the Hornets’ offense struggling, this game presents an opportunity to improve defensive metrics further.
Offensively, the Bucks have faced unexpected challenges. The absence of Khris Middleton has been felt, and some players have yet to find their shooting rhythm. However, the upcoming home games offer a chance to settle into a routine and improve offensive cohesion. Players like Gary Trent Jr. and Bobby Portis need to regain their shooting touch to help the team climb out of the early-season hole.
The Bucks’ journey this season is still in its early stages, and while the record might not be what was expected, there’s plenty of time to turn things around. The team remains united and confident in their potential, and with 70 games left, there’s ample opportunity to climb the standings.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bucks’ performance and future prospects, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
- The impact of young players on the Bucks’ recent success
- Defensive strategies and improvements
- The role of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the team’s performance
- Upcoming matchups and what to expect
- Analysis of the Bucks’ offensive struggles and potential solutions
I held off on writing about the apparent rash, or rise, of early-season athlete injuries because there’s always some recency bias involved when the subject comes up. Are there really more injuries this year than any other? Do we have the data to support it? Is there a new, underlying cause? Or are injuries due to the same compounding mix of bad luck and the NBA’s 82-game schedule running into a long postseason, running into the offseason, running back into a brand new long regular season and the erosion of bodies this eventually leads to?
A report early this week showed early-season injuries were up 35%, and indeed ESPN’s list of injuries, at a glance, looks like a ferocious Christmas tree, lit up in blazing reds and yellows. A handful of teams (the Grizzlies, Pelicans, Raptors) are cobbling together rosters game-to-game depending on who’s still healthy. TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott ran a draft of the injured list this week and each team reads like an All-Star squad on steroids, and when Abbott printed out the league’s official injury report it was 10 pages long.
Injuries are definitely up — but why?
The Paris Olympics proved extra playing time for a few top-tier stars, but most of them remain healthy. The early season schedule hasn’t served up any more back-to-backs to longer road game stretches, which tend to be more gruelling on athletes, than usual. However, when everything appears to be normal and the bodily price is anything but, perhaps it’s time to examine that “normal”.
The NBA’s current schedule of 82 games was adopted in 1967. Already, I’m sure your brain is picturing black and white basketball, that’s good. When you picture that grainy, glitchy footage, how fast is it going? The reality is that the game used to be a lot slower. Not just in its mechanics (think of an offensive passing sequence, the ball flipping from set of hands to hands at a speed that can be hard to follow), but the athleticism too. Bodies were moving slower. The game was still physical — the trope of players from the 80s and 90s complaining about the “softness” of current athletes is a trope for a reason — but full tilt sprinting, cutting, complex rotations, these weren’t the norm. Given that, the bodily mechanics were different. Guys weren’t stopping on a dime, pivoting hard, having to force their ligaments and muscles and bones into exacting motions with all sorts of volatile force behind them.
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
Trade Trade season is heating up! Check out these realistic mock trades involving the Bucks, offering intriguing possibilities for team improvements. (Behind the Buck Pass)
Injury Taurean Prince is feeling more comfortable and making great strides in his recovery. This update brings hope for his return to the court soon. (Behind the Buck Pass)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
This week in the fantasy basketball world has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. A major talking point has been Chet Holmgren’s unfortunate injury, which has fantasy managers scrambling for replacements as the Oklahoma City Thunder adjust with potential lineup changes. Keep an eye on players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace — who might see increased minutes — and consider them as temporary pickups in deeper leagues.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bucks podcasts.
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