The Bucks: Tanking But Still Growing

The Bucks have been bad this season, but there are reasons to be excited about their future.

Note: This article was written by contributor Zac Roder, who covers the Bucks and the NBA at The Full Court Press

In the midst of one of the first tanking seasons the Milwaukee Bucks have actually committed to, the Bucks are finding ways to get better for the future while staying bad. With several moves before and during the season, general manager John Hammond had solid drafts of late. I know what your thinking, “Isn’t this that GM that traded Tobias Harris away for a half season of JJ Reddick?” Yes, but the Bucks have managed to build up a core for the future while playing for the top pick simultaneously.

While making some truly horrific moves this offseason, (*cough cough* OJ Mayo) Milwaukee still was able to add some players that have potential to be important for their future success. Khris Middleton was the small piece in the Knight/Jennings trade, but has contributed much more than expected. This young, second year player out of Texas A&M has made a huge leap from his rookie year in Detroit where he played in 27 games and averaged 6.1 points. This year, Middleton has played in 67 games (starting 49) and is averaging 11.9 points. Middleton has seen solid improvement in his Effective Field Goal Percentage and 3-Point Attempt Rate (.489 to .518 and .319 to .336 respectively.) His shooting has proved to be an important part of their offense coming from the shooting guard/small forward position.

In the same trade the Bucks acquired Brandon Knight, the key to the Jennings trade — and this Brandon might just be better for the Bucks. Unlike Jennings who is known for his inefficient scoring, Knight is shooting a respectable .422 from the field and an Effective Field Goal Percentage of .474. Knight’s PER has greatly increased in his new role from 12.0 to 17.0 this season. It may be his 3rd year in the league, but Knight is still only 22 and as the best play on the Bucks this year, he’s proved he will be important for their future with his ability to drive to the hoop, hit open shots, and distributing the ball effectively. Along with Knight and Middleton, adding Zaza Pachulia, while overpaid, is a reliable veteran center they can depend on and rookie Miroslav Raduljica who has an above average PER of 16.1 and could develop into a bruiser. Recent addition Jeff Adrien is a rebounding machine who has made the Bucks better than their fans hoped and could also be used in the future as a key player off the bench.

If the players retained from last season, two players stand out; John Henson and Larry Sanders. Sanders has been a disappointment this year. Injuries, poor play, bar fights, they all factor into the disappointment that has been this year. However, there’s still hope! In between it all Sanders has played well in the few games he got to play with John Henson, the Bucks’ other lengthy big man. More offensively skilled, John Henson has played much more this season, averaging 27.1 minutes in his second year. Henson has been great defensively with 1.9 blocks/game and a 5.5 block percentage. Henson and Sanders are the future of the Bucks’ frontcourt, but this future could come sooner than expected.

Of their latest draft picks, Nate Wolters of South Dakota State is hands down the best 2nd round pick of this past draft. He has played more than many 1st rounders, and has really contributed with 7.3 points per game and 3.2 assists per game. Alongside Knight, Wolters creates a great situation for the future Bucks where both point guards are reliable and good in different situations. Knight the explosive quick scorer, and Wolters the bigger, distributing guard. Wolters creates depth and reliability for the future.

Of course, we can’t forget Giannis. The redraft #1, best selection of the draft from Greece, Antetokounmpo has been hands down the most exciting part of the Bucks’ year. His 6.9 points over his 62 games played has come off some explosive dunks and his potential seems infinite. He still has lots to work on and it could be years before he is fully developed but his talent, size, and love for the game has separated him from the rookie pack. However, this idolization is unfair. 19 years old, Giannis needs time to develop into the star everyone expects of him, and even the hope of him being a star will be a problem. Giannis plays an interesting offensive game. He has shooting ability, and can clearly score at the rim, but he isn’t a scorer. His interior passing and court vision are more important to his offense than any scoring. These comparisons to Kevin Durant will create disappointment and are really unfair to how good of a player he could be simply because his scoring isn’t as big of a part of his game as people will hope — more Scottie Pippen than Durant. In his prime, Giannis will be a second/third offensive option but will be a distributer comparable to Joakim Noah — a bigger player that the offense flows through but isn’t dictated by.

The Bucks may be the worst team in the NBA right now, but unlike even Philadelphia, Milwaukee has talent in the works. Knight, Wolter, Henson, Sanders, and Antetokounmpo will all be big for their future, and everything could change soon if they get that star in this draft they are hoping for who can carry the offense, and turn around the franchise. This may be a bad team right now, but don’t be surprised when the Bucks are true contenders in the upcoming seasons.

By Zac Roder