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.
Are the Milwaukee Bucks Rediscovering their Defensive Identity?
Nov 18, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; =tp during the =*q= against = at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images|Jeff Hanisch/Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
As a Milwaukee Bucks enthusiast, it’s thrilling to witness the team potentially rediscovering its defensive identity. This season, the Bucks have shown signs of returning to their roots, focusing on a defense-first approach that has historically brought them success. Over the past few weeks, the Bucks have climbed to the fifth-best defense in the league, a surprising yet welcome development. This resurgence is not just about numbers; it’s about the team finding the right combination of players who excel defensively.
Defensive Resurgence
The Bucks’ recent defensive prowess is evident in their performance against top-tier teams. They’ve faced formidable offenses like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks, yet managed to hold their ground. This isn’t just about playing weaker teams; it’s about standing strong against the best. The defensive improvements are partly due to strategic personnel changes and the influence of Greg Buckner, who has brought a fresh perspective from his time with the Cavaliers.
The Bucks have minimized their defensive weaknesses by integrating new players who are more defensively inclined. Young talents like A.J. Green and Andre Jackson Jr. have stepped up, reducing the number of exploitable spots on the floor. This shift has allowed the Bucks to maintain a solid defensive presence, even when facing challenging opponents.
Offensive Challenges and Adjustments
While the defense has been a bright spot, the offense has faced its share of challenges. The absence of key players like Khris Middleton has impacted the team’s offensive flow. However, there’s optimism that as players return and shooting variances stabilize, the offense will improve. The Bucks have been experimenting with different lineups, which has sometimes led to unconventional setups. Yet, this experimentation is crucial for finding the right balance and maximizing the team’s potential.
The Bucks’ offensive strategy appears more player-driven, with an emphasis on quick decision-making and exploiting mismatches. This approach requires players to be adaptable and make smart choices on the fly. As the team continues to gel and players become more comfortable with their roles, we can expect to see a more cohesive offensive unit.
The Bucks are on a promising path, with their defense leading the way. As they continue to refine their strategies and integrate returning players, there’s a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead. For more insights and a deeper dive into the Milwaukee Bucks’ journey, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
- Analysis of the Bucks’ recent games and defensive strategies
- Impact of Greg Buckner’s defensive philosophy on the team
- Challenges faced by the Bucks’ offense and potential solutions
- The role of young players in the Bucks’ defensive resurgence
- Upcoming schedule and key matchups for the Bucks
The streak had to end sometime. Even the 2015-2016 Warriors only (“only”) got to 24 wins to start their season. Ironically, they’d go on to lose the title to the Cavs that season.
That Cleveland lost to the Celtics, in TD Garden, without Isaac Okoro and with Darius Garland shooting 3-21 — well only the first half of that stings. If Garland made two more of those field goals the Cavs would’ve taken the game, and Okoro, out with an ankle sprain, will be back.
This game was a tester for the Cavs. Beyond a match against the defending champs and a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview, it was an opportunity to see how the team responded to pressure, unfavourable conditions and expectation. NBA basketball is about winning, we all know this refrain well, but that the Cavs scoring dried up in crucial stretches while the team also fell into bad habits of turning the ball over in momentum-leeching moments, and they still managed multiple runs to come back within two, speaks pretty well to this group’s ability to respond.
What makes the Celtics so good, and a bit like a dream-crushing machine, is their ability to capitalize on and invert what usually brings their opponents wins. In the Cavs case, it’s their speed. Not just pure speed without aim, but their ability to push the pace within their offensive possessions because not one player tends to move in isolation from anyone else. Their lightning quick passing, their flashing cuts and counter-cuts, it’s all predicated on ball movement capitalizing on intuitive communication. A sixth sense of understanding where their teammates are on the floor at any given moment.
Boston was able to jam that up. Not entirely upend it, but chase with pace of their own enough that Garland at times appeared to be the pursued and not the pursuer. Where Garland rushed an offensive possession, where he went in for a fastbreak ISO drive to wrest the pace of the game back into his team’s hands, he bungled it. He’d botch an easy layup and go careening past the baseline, having to expend more energy to get back down the floor in the transition already underway. And the more he botched it, the faster he went. The Celtics saw this and upped the pressure on him, taking advantage of forced turnovers by draining three after three and all but eliminating a huge component of what’s made the Cavs so formidable — their rebounding.
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
Fans Join the conversation with Bucks supporters discussing the latest poll, sharing their views on Giannis, Brook Lopez, and the team’s playoff prospects. Engage with the community and see what other fans are saying. (Brew Hoop)
Analysis How the Cavaliers’ offseason plan has turned them into the top team in the league so far this year. (ESPN)
Milestone Russell Westbrook becomes the first player in NBA history to record 200 triple-doubles. (CBS Sports)
Must Read The NBA’s three-point revolution has gotten extreme, begging the question: How many is too many?(The Washington Post)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Can Dalton Knecht Keep Up This Run?
Nov 19, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) react after scoring a three point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images|Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Dalton Knecht has recently become a focal point in NBA fantasy discussions, thanks to his electrifying performances on the court. In a standout game, Knecht scored 37 points, including nine three-pointers, with an impressive 75% shooting accuracy. This remarkable display has fantasy managers buzzing, as Knecht’s shooting streak positions him as a valuable asset in leagues.
Knecht’s Shooting Streak: A Fantasy Goldmine
Over the past four games, Knecht has been on a tear, shooting 22 of 33 from beyond the arc, equating to a 67% success rate. Such efficiency is rare and highlights his potential as a sharpshooter. For fantasy managers, Knecht is a must-add player, especially given his current role in the Lakers’ starting lineup. However, while his shooting spree is impressive, it’s important to manage expectations, as maintaining such a high percentage is challenging over the long term.
Injury Updates and Their Impact on Fantasy Rosters
Knecht’s rise comes at a time when injuries are shaking up NBA rosters. Norman Powell’s hamstring injury, for instance, has left a gap in the Clippers’ lineup. With Powell likely sidelined for at least a week, players like Kris Dunn and Amir Coffey might see increased roles, offering potential value for fantasy managers seeking replacements.
Click the button below to get updates on Zach Edey’s ankle injury, and how Bradley Beal’s calf continues to cause problems for fantasy managers.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bucks podcasts.
Brook Lopez shines as the Milwaukee Bucks find a way to beat the Houston Rockets | Bucks win 101-100 Brook Lopez delivered a standout performance, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a win over the Houston Rockets with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals.
Controversial Calls Shake Milwaukee Bucks’ Recent Games Did the referees cost the Milwaukee Bucks crucial victories? Recent games against the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons have sparked debate over controversial officiating, including a “phantom foul” on LaMelo Ball.
Are back-to-back wins a sign the Milwaukee Bucks are beginning their run? Can the Milwaukee Bucks sustain their defensive resurgence? With two consecutive wins, the Bucks are showing signs of improvement, particularly on defense. Yet, their offense remains a concern, ranking in the bottom 10.
