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Milwaukee Bucks: Can Brook Lopez maintain defensive importance?

By Jordan Treske

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 17: Reggie Jackson #1 of the Detroit Pistons is defended by Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Two of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Fiserv Forum on April 17, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 17: Reggie Jackson #1 of the Detroit Pistons is defended by Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Two of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Fiserv Forum on April 17, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Many have looked to Brook Lopez‘s reinvention as a three-point shooter as a catalyst behind the Milwaukee Bucks’ success, but his defensive services were equally valuable to their run throughout the 2018-19 season.

Transforming himself from a free agent bargain to integral piece of their current foundation, Brook Lopez has been a tailor-made fit for the Milwaukee Bucks.

There was true synergy to Lopez’s reinvention as a seven-foot three-point gunner over recent seasons and finding a home with the Bucks, which coincided with the arrival of reigning NBA Coach of the Year, Mike Budenholzer.

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The man known as Splash Mountain provided the perfect outlet for the Bucks to create a true five-out offensive system that gave Bud and Co. the necessary blueprint for the team’s stars and supporting cast to thrive alike.

While Lopez’s penchant to let it fly has been critical in maintaining his career longevity as a productive starter in this league, his standing on the defensive end has proven to be equally valuable this far into his Bucks stint.

Having all-defensive caliber players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Eric Bledsoe will certainly take some shine away from any of the Bucks’ useful defenders and it certainly applies to the presence that Lopez provided to shield the rim from opposing teams.

Just as he did offensively, the 31-year-old was a fixture behind the Bucks’ top-ranked defense last season and Lopez benefited greatly from the drop-back defensive scheme that was prioritized under Budenholzer, considering it led to a career year for him as a shot blocker at 2.2 blocks per game.

In many ways, Lopez was one of the big reasons why a defender as special and unique as Antetokounmpo can thrive in so many different and invaluable ways away from the ball and at the basket. And in turn, stationing Lopez within the paint neutralized the athletic and mobility limitations he possesses with the likes of Antetokounmpo, Bledsoe, Khris Middleton and so on being able to provide plenty of protection on the perimeter and inside the arc as well.

Lopez’s sound fundamentals had a clear impact not only on Budenholzer and his staff laying out the team’s defensive strategy, but also on the front office, considering they went out and added his twin brother, Robin Lopez, this offseason on a two-year deal worth their room exception.

As Robin brings many of the same qualities as his brother does with an added layer of physicality, the Bucks are pinning their hopes on getting something close to 48 minutes a night of the Lopezes being quite the deterrent in the paint for opposing teams.

For the general NBA consensus, it may be hard to digest how important Brook has been and will have to be for the Bucks on the defensive end. That was certainly reflected in the fact that the one-time All-Star only garnered one second team vote in last year’s voting for the NBA All-Defensive teams.

While Lopez may have eluded consideration for last year’s balloting and unsurprisingly so, the weight of his defensive contributions will remain significant in the eyes of Budenholzer as the Bucks look to run it back in hopes of earning a shot at next season’s title.

Even after undergoing the stark defensive turnaround that the Bucks experienced last season, Budenholzer will always prioritize that end of the floor, given the background he comes from stemming from his days in San Antonio, along with the success his Atlanta Hawks teams had defensively.

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It’s hard for the Bucks to top the high mark they achieved collectively on the defensive end going into the next season. But if they want to make their title hopes a reality, maintaining their defensive excellence is paramount and Lopez will have to be a significant piece in attaining that.

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