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.
From Laughingstock to Legit, How the Milwaukee Bucks Identity Became Defense
Jan 19, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) celebrate a made basket in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone/Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Bucks at the Midpoint: Defensive Surge and Offensive Challenges
As we reach the halfway point of the NBA season, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in an intriguing position. With a record of 24-17, they’ve overcome a rocky 2-8 start to climb to seven games above .500 – their high-water mark for the season.
The most surprising development has been the Bucks’ defensive transformation. Currently boasting the eighth-best defense in the NBA, they’ve made significant strides from last year’s bottom-10 ranking. This improvement is even more impressive considering the roster remains largely unchanged. Since the NBA Cup, the Bucks have showcased the third-best defense in the league over a 16-game stretch.
However, the offense has been a different story. Despite having the formidable duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Bucks’ offense has yet to crack the top 10 this season. This unexpected struggle has been a point of concern, especially given the team’s offensive firepower.
The Roster Fit
One of the key factors in the Bucks’ improved performance has been the better roster fit. The addition of players like Andre Jackson Jr., A.J. Green, and Ryan Rollins has provided much-needed depth and versatility. The bench unit, in particular, has been a bright spot since Khris Middleton’s return, ranking third in net rating and second in offensive rating among bench units.
Individual Standouts
While Giannis and Lillard have been expectedly stellar, several role players have made significant contributions. Pat Connaughton has been solid when called upon, and the young players have shown promising development. Andre Jackson Jr. had his best game of the season against the 76ers, while Ryan Rollins has outplayed veteran Delon Wright.
Looking Ahead
As we enter the second half of the season, the Bucks face a challenging schedule with several road games and back-to-backs. The team’s ability to maintain their defensive prowess while unlocking their offensive potential will be crucial in determining their success moving forward.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bucks’ midseason assessment, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
• The impact of the NBA Cup on the Bucks’ performance
• Individual player assessments at the midpoint
• The importance of consistency in the Bucks’ offense
Jan 19, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dunks against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Paycom Center. | Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Back with the second half of our midseason report specifically focusing on changes with a farther reaching affect than just this season. A midseason report adjusted for inflation, if you will. If you missed the first half, you can find it here.
Shifting hardware
If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes home the MVP trophy this season (as predicted in this newsletter back in mid-October), we’re in for a shift. While merit for the award comes down to performance, it also hinges on a slew of other factors, and some of those skew intangible.
The pool of MVP candidates, season-to-season, stays largely the same because athletes who are that good tend to stay good for stable stretches of time and because once someone has gained our attention, we don’t tend to shift it. We’re creatures of habit, and the people tasked with MVP voting are, too.
Thunder fans have been banging the SGA drum for seasons now, but it’s just this year that he’s finally managed to break through into the broader collective consciousness. We give a lot of weight to the concept of “readiness”, as in, when young athletes break through an invisible barrier and are able to handle some combination of the spotlight, leadership responsibilities, consistent high-level competition, and yes, award consideration.
The reality of readiness is that it’s mostly reached through repetition. Occasionally that’s accelerated through a trade — Henry Abbott at TrueHoop wrote a compelling case on how this could be true for Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr.
Household names get that way because we’ve said them so many times, not because some invisible cue or professional marker was met.
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
Rumor The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly considering Sacramento Kings’ forward Trey Lyles as a trade candidate to strengthen their roster. This potential move aims to add depth and versatility to the team. (Brew Hoop)
Honor Giannis Antetokounmpo has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for his stellar performances, showcasing his significant impact on the Milwaukee Bucks’ recent successes. (Brew Hoop)
Roster The vision for Bucks rookies is becoming increasingly clear, as their undeniable talent and potential are expected to contribute significantly to the team’s future success. (Behind the Buck Pass)
Analysis The Sixers and Suns’ struggles won’t end “Big Threes” in the NBA. (Forbes)
Watch Inside the NBA: On MLK Day, a look back at the movement to overcome. (ESPN)
NBA Tuesday Fantasy Basketball Preview: Streaming Options and Injury Updates
Jan 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) dunks the basketball during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen/Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
As we look ahead to Tuesday’s NBA action, there are several key storylines and player situations to monitor. With five games on the schedule, fantasy managers have some interesting decisions to make regarding lineups and streaming options.
The Brooklyn Nets are dealing with multiple injury concerns. Ben Simmons is probable to return from illness, while D’Angelo Russell is questionable with hamstring tightness. This creates uncertainty around playing time and roles. Nic Claxton’s value is also in question due to inconsistent minutes and performance. For streaming purposes, Noah Clowney could be worth a look if Simmons sits.
One of the biggest spots to watch is what Miami does with rookie big man Kel’el Ware. Ware started the second half last game, next to Bam Adebayo, and is a guy to grab in case he begins a run of being a starter.
In Orlando, the Magic will be without Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Goga Bitadze. This opens up opportunities for Wendell Carter Jr. and Cole Anthony to see increased usage. Both are solid streaming options in most formats for Tuesday’s matchup against Toronto.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
• Schedule analysis for the upcoming week
• Five-game and two-game team outlooks
• Deeper league streaming targets
3peat (ICYMI)
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