The Problem With the Milwaukee Bucks 

A few facts here: 1. Holiday didn't have 'offensive shortcomings' so much as he's very much a 'play within the flow' type of guy. Over his tenure with Milwaukee, he was highly efficient with just short of a 58% EFG with around 39.5% shooting from beyond. Compare that to the last three years of Lillard with the Blazers and Lillard was at 52.2% EFG with 36.2% shooting from beyond. Efficiency really matters and Holiday was hyper efficient with his looks while still allowing Giannis and Middleton plenty of time with the ball. The other benefit to Holiday was that he was an elite defender. Even on a night where Giannis was dominating the ball or where Jrue's shot wasn't falling, he still impacted the game with his defense. Dame is really a score-only guy...if he's not shooting and making shots, he's arguably hurting your team due to his bad defense. 2. Brook Lopez is part of the problem defensively. Yes, he is a good rim protector...but ONLY if he's allowed to drop defend. On switches, he is very exploitable by faster wings and most guards. Jrue Holiday hid this for years. Holiday's physicality, toughness and ability to fight over screens allowed Lopez to play drop defense (where he is good) and minimized his exposure to switches (where is pretty bad). Losing Holiday hurt the Bucks badly here because now they have two players to hide on the perimeter...in a perimeter-centric NBA. It also means that 2/5 players are favorable matchups for the opponent. A good opponent will simply pass and force enough switches until they get either Lopez or Dame...at which point they will attack and score. Personally, Dame's limitations were a key reason why I was one of the few Celtics' fans that said 'hell no' to any Lillard-to-Boston proposal. Dame may be a superstar, but to me Jrue is a better fit for a championship team. Why? Because he is more efficient (meaning more looks for other stars) and does more. He can pass, he's an above average rebounder for his position, he's an elite defender. Basically, you can give Jrue zero shots and still feel justified in playing him for 36 minutes. With Dame, if he gets zero shots in 36 minutes he is hurting your team because he's just about the definition of a turnstile on defense (this is also why I really disliked Kemba Walker in Boston). Offensively, I think that the Bucks will figure it out. There's too much talent there for them not to and I fully expect them to be a Top 5 offense by the end of the season. The problem is, I don't think their defensive will improve a ton. Maybe into the low 20's or high teens, but not farther. All well and good, until they run into a team like my Celtics...who look like they could be a Top 5 offense and a Top 10 (maybe Top 5) defense. Personally, I think Milwaukee will be flashier this year, but struggle to make it past the ECSF.

The issue is that the new coach is implementing a new defensive coverage which is like that of Toronto, a sort of man on man defense. Bucks are Zone defensive players, and players like Lopez are too slow to play that style. They will figure it out.

Celtics fan here. I hate to pile on these guys yet. If Middleton fully recovers and they all click, they could roll into the playoffs on a tear

Holiday is balling, thanks Milwaukee

I think their biggest regret might be firing coach Bud

Hilarious. It’s been 5 games.

Keep in mind the bucks went 12-0 to start the season last year, and then got bounced in the first round. My point is, the beginning of the season doesn’t matter. 2 years ago the Celtics, up till Christmas, were low end play in team. They then went the the finals.

Buck is the prime example of teams (and players) chasing big names instead of seeing what really works. Holiday was an exceptional defender, when the bucks replaced him with dame, the team improved significantly offensively, but also dropped off massively on defense. It’s not as easy to say sign a defensive guard, where and when is this guard going to play? Playing along side dame and Middleton (3 guard line up?) but the issue with dame’s poor defense will still make him a target… In a 7 game series, a good team will keep pounding on any weak-link (offensively and defensively). Dame will be a target for teams like Boston and Heat in the playoff… I’ve always say that bucks made the wrong trade replacing Holiday with dame.

500 halfway through the NBA season? You're already past 1k and we're a couple weeks into the season, good for you man!

The issue is with people who expects them to mend so quickly into the season.

Bro y’all is tripping this is brand new territory for for Giannis and dame both of these dudes are in pretty much brand new roles superstars like they are gonna have an adjustment period

Point of attack defense is going to be an ongoing issue, but the adjustment to put Brooke back into drop coverage a huge difference against the Knicks and Khris did finally start to show glimpses of his old self. Hoping the boys can get it figured out but damn it has been an entertaining start to basketball this year

Celtics in 5...playoffs is different...lillard plays no defense...we already know how to deal with mr run and dunk giannis portis is eh middleton isnt the same anymore lopez is ass connaughton as well

my boi said "im tryna hit 500 subs at the halfway season" guess what broskie we only 5 6 games in you broke 1k plenty more to come keep up the great work

Recency bias is crazy, once they start performing everyone gonna switch up as always

The Bucks made an ok upgrade but gave the Cs the chance to make two major upgrades in one off season. Thanks for that. Looks like a shot in their own foot as of now. The best and most important player in Boston is Brad Stevens!

This trade never would have had to happen if Giannis could shoot a pull up jump shot. 🤦🏾🤦🏾

To be honest, I'm surprised that they're having that much trouble on defense, when their new coach is said to be "defensive minded" I think they should just stick to Budenholzers style of drop coverage defense. Let the guards pressure 3 point shooters and make them shoot a less efficient mid range shot instead. The way the new coach is utilizing the Bucks defense is he'setting Brook and Giannis to go as far as the 3 point line allowing the opposing team to drive pass them to the hoop or kick out to an open shooter. On the bright side, these early games in the season might just be a feel out game to see what works and to see what doesn't. So come play off time, they know which plays to run and which plays to avoid. Much better to make these mistakes now than make it later on the season or in the playoffs.

Celtics in 6 Bucks will regret trading holiday for Dame!

Give it time. Bucks have a new coach, a new star and Middletown is coming back from injuries. It’ll take time to get things going

Actually for me the issue is they are putting Brook and Giannis more into the perimeter, not prioritizing paint defense, not dropping off during pick and roll like they used to, and that might be the reason they concede so many points in the paint and outrebounded, hence reducing the number of offence generated from their previous style of running transition from defensive rebound. Ironically Dame is doing decent for someone that is not known for their defense, but for the Bucks he is definitely not a liability at perimeter defense. If they start putting Brook inside the paint again, trust me they will also generate more offense. Giannis averaging below 10 rebound is the proof that they are abandoning paint protection , less of a drop off defense against pick and roll this year. When against the Knicks, Brook starts anchoring the paint again and blocks 7 shots and unsuprisingly they won that match, with Dame and Giannis both doing good(not great). They need to play defense like last year, and play their offense from that.

Congrats on 500.

I would say, let them cook.. they just need some time to gel and adjustment from all round.. i dont expect them to win it this year but got see where the coach makes the adjustment and how they really should be playing..

This might be my favorite nba channel for news

Blazers fan and just wanted to say you’re all welcome. Suns, Bucks, and Celtics all have big chances because of Blazer trades. Anyways the minute they traded Holiday to the Celts was the game changer. Dame got shut down by Holiday when he played for the Pelicans and will get stopped again. I’m thinking the minute Holiday was traded the Celts started celebrating the title. Bucks have a few perimeter defenders just not shooters. Holiday does both.

Anyone who thinks offense is a priority in basketball will fail miserably.

Hard to build chemistry without consistent defensive presence

Lillard is just Eric Bledsoe on steroids. Can’t believe they traded Jrue and worse for the bucks he ended up in Boston.

Thank you for great analytical observation of Milwaukee bucks

Bucks mess up by letting Boston get Holiday. They replaced him with a smaller ball dominant PG. Lopez is old and Middleton is washed up.

Portland fan here, this was my problem for 10 years with dame, he’s an insane offensive player but Portland has been bottom 5 in defense since the dame era began. They gave dame everything he needed for help but his defense struggles always were exploited. Superstars need to be two way player or they’ll never make it all the way. I hop im wrong but this is heartbreaking being a dame fan.

It takes more than just a few games bro. Prime example, look at kyrie and the mavs. The media jumped on them hard. Look at them this year though. 6-1.

as a Portland fan that just lost Dame, trust me when I say that he always lets his man blow by him. and just stands there and tries to swipe at the ball

im sure theyre just testing the water, no need to go all out at the beginning of the Season

It’s the coach. Trust me, he don’t know how to use them and what type of offense is better for them.

Did you forget the playoffs where people left Holiday open

Defense. They need to bring in a young 2nd squad proritizing Defense and uptempo basketball.

I remember when everyone was saying Lillard was the answer to everything 😂

The trade timing didn't help. Right before camp with a new coach to boot. If the Bucks knew they would have Dame and lose Jrue they could have adjusted their personel. Look what the Lakers did last trade deadline. If you want to get better defensively and get more athletic you can almost always do that in the NBA. Its scoring that is very difficult to get and The Bucks have that base covered...they will improve.

Their new coach sucks. They should’ve never fired bud especially since he was mourning last post season.

It’s an age thing. Older men need more at stake to get up for something. Let’s wait till late season for sure

Khris Middleton is the problem of the Bucks now......How many years does He need to be back....🙄

Because Dame is that transcendant player, they should be 82-0 right? All nba players are men working hard to win, you can lose to any team on a given night

Lillard next Russell Wilson

Marion Bouchamp should be the one starting at 2

The season JUST FUCKIN STARTED 😂relax casuals. It's a new team

Dame ia a bootleg version of Steph. Nuff said

Middleton is not the same player and dame does not know how to defend he is a one way player.

Congrats on getting your subscriber goal with like 3 months to go

I’ll subscribe when you discuss the best team in the NBA, The Celtics.

Good video

Congrats on your goal

I told yall they should've never given up holiday. As integral as Middleton has been to the bucks success the past few years dame is a huge upgrade from him. But Holiday is a player that can't be as easily replaced

Middleton is coming off mad injuries and Dame is trying to adjust to only a few games with dudes he never played with before! Are you being serious with this video dude lol....what a joke.....they just started the season

Lol bro already hit his 500 sub goal

As a Celtic fan I refuse to believe we’ll run away with the East because of the bucks struggles it can’t be that easy so I think they’ll be fine and still give us trouble because If not baring any injuries to us and the heat having another lucky year like they did last year even though they didn’t win the finals we’re definitely going to the finals us winning the finals is a different story the nuggets,suns and warriors will give us major trouble so we’ll see when or if we get there

I've watched all of the video and I have some notes to add. Considering Bucks as a new team into the season, with a fresh coach who is also new at this role and the fact that the most clutch superstar joined the team should make you think of checking the history of teams like 2023-2024 Milwaukee Bucks first games. Go back to Nets when they acquired Kyrie-KD for example while Nash did his first steps as a coach in Brooklyn. You can figure out that Nets and all the same teams needed time to adapt. Needed time to find rhythym, chemistry and the regular season was an experimental period. I believe Milwaukee is doing the best they can to go 100% ready to the playoffs because that's what they wanna achieve this year. They don't focus on 1st seed more than being ready to make a good run at the playoffs. Uploading this type of video only 4 games in the season shows that you are rushing into conclusions without enough data. There's a hot topic on covering Dame-Giannis, I get it, but I can only say that your video is containing inaccurate predictions and I say all of that only to help you have a more wise view on the way you produce your videos. Bucks have a bright future and they know it. They had nothing to prove on their first 5 games to anyone.

The problem is he should’ve gone to the heat

The coach gotta goooooo

What if this analysis suffers from recentism and is already outdated?

There is nothing wrong. It’s 5 games in currently holy shit. Also your analysis of Khris’ limited minutes is atrocious. The offense looks much better when he’s out there. Watch the games.

dame is harden without the passing skills, surprised why people where too high on him

Nah. Bucks will be juuuust fine

pig step ?

You already got 500 subscribers

Coaching

Hi!

It's not even 15 games in bruh relax lol

I think its WAY to early to be talking shit. I mean common dude.

It’s early

I've said this before, and I will keep saying this, dame is overrated.

Dame is overrated for a guy who hasnt accomplished anything whats all the hype😊

Wtf are you making videos of any NBA team, when they played only 6 games?

They need more young good players

Bruh its been a week