Bucks Zone

Report points to better transition defense as a worthy Christmas present for the Milwaukee Bucks

Here’s what the Bucks really need this Christmas.
Jonas Panerio|
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Milwaukee Bucks

Forget about traditional gifts. What the Milwaukee Bucks really need this holiday season is an improved transition defense. While Milwaukee's defense this season has been particularly egregious—not that it wasn't expected with Damian Lillard and Malik Beasley manning the perimeter—their penchant for not sprinting back in transition has been game-changing.

League-worst transition D

While the Bucks have been racking up wins thanks to their explosive offense, their defense needs to catch up. Transition defense mainly involves effort, which is something Milwaukee is renowned for. However, the fact the team ranks dead last in transition defense paints a different story.

"The Milwaukee Bucks' league-worst transition defense is one of the most confounding aspects of the 2023-24 season," Grant Hughes wrote for Bleacher Report.

"Instead of making it a priority to get back and protect the basket, the Bucks have regressed to an inconceivable degree. Opponents get transition opportunities on 40.7 percent of live rebounds. For context, the second-most generous team in that stat, the Philadelphia 76ers, only permit runouts on 34.9 percent of live rebounds, which ranks closer to the middle of the pack than it does to the Bucks," Hughes added.

Sprint back

Developing winning habits is crucial in the NBA. While this shortcoming may not hurt as much in the regular season, it may be a fatal flaw in the playoffs. Hughes proposed the Bucks sprint back to the other end a second or two before the players think it's necessary.

"A bold suggestion: Milwaukee players should grossly exaggerate their approach to transition defense by running back two or three seconds before they think it's necessary. Maybe head coach Adrian Griffin can wave a flag or use one of those piercing Phil Jackson whistles to signal when it's 'go time.' Clearly, the Bucks can't be trusted to judge when their sprints to the other end need to start."

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO