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Milwaukee Bucks receive a B+ for their performance in the first half of the season
At 28-12, the Milwaukee Bucks stand second in the Eastern Conference, two-and-a-half games behind the Boston Celtics. While their defense continues to be a work in progress, their offense is firing on all cylinders, and as such, Bleacher Report has given the team a grade of B+ for their performance in the first half of the season.
Good balance
The Bucks' perimeter defense has been sloppy and inconsistent at best. This was expected after the team swung a trade for All-Star guard Damian Lillard that sent away defensive aces Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen. This results in opponents scoring 120 points or more every time they have the Bucks on schedule.
However, the trade-off has been a potent and versatile offense that ranks second in offensive rating and points per game. The combination of Lillard's elite scoring ability and Giannis Antetokounmpo's all-around dominance has kept the Bucks' offense humming even when their defense falters.
"Concerns for the Milwaukee Bucks defense are legitimate. They're still in the bottom half of the league on that end. And Damian Lillard is routinely losing track of assignments on the outside. But the team's search for offensive balance between he and Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to have been struck. And they're gaining on the Indiana Pacers for the league's best attack," Andy Bailey wrote.
"When those two are on the floor, Milwaukee scores a whopping 125.3 points per 100 possessions. And when they're surrounded by shooting from Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Malik Beasley."
Legit title contender?
Outside of reserve forward Bobby Portis, the Bucks don't have much depth outside their explosive starting five. An injury to any of their core players puts much strain on their championship hopes. However, the Bucks are a legitimate title contender if they can stay healthy.
"Bobby Portis aside, depth is certainly an issue for this team. That's especially true if Middleton picks up another injury in the playoffs, but Milwaukee may very well be the juggernaut hiding in plain sight," Bailey wrote.
