Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls: Five Takeaways from Games 1-5

Apr 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) in game five of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Michael Carter-Williams’ Size is Playing a Role Again

Though this takeaway pretty much only relates to Game 5, it’s still an important one to observe. Carter-Williams’ height dictated a Bucks victory on April 1st against the Bulls, so much so that Thibodeau’s failure to stop him in the post looked like it would play a key role in a seven game series. The only problem is, Derrick Rose was hurt for that game and MCW had the privilege of feasting on a 6’0″ Aaron Brooks.

Throughout the series, Rose’s strength has essentially neutralized any height advantage MCW has in the post, as he simply hasn’t been able to back him down… Like, at all. This pretty much sums up most of the post ups we’ve seen so far from him.

But in Game 5, he used his height to a different advantage. Instead of trying to back down and bully his smaller matchup, he attacked them face-to-face and used his size to finish over them.

Notice how in both of these, there’s no help defender at all? How Rose is on an island with Carter-Williams all the way to the basket? Part of that came from great spacing in the second video, but most of it was because there shouldn’t have to be any help defense. Rose didn’t really play bad defense, but he’s just undersized.

NBA big men are not really used to giving help in this situation because they’re not used to a 6’6″ point guard finishing directly over his man. Granted, this shot won’t fall for him every time, but in a game where he’s finishing nearly everything, like on Monday, it puts the defense in a tough situation as they either have to double immediately on the drive or put a bigger man on him.

When people ask “What does Michael-Carter Williams do well?”, this is one of the best things he has going for him as a prospect. He does height well. His ability to get off layups in situations where almost no other point guard can is a unique asset he has in his game.

And he’s been getting these shots before Game 5 too; he was just missing his first few and was hesitant from there on out. If he can consistently finish these looks, that will probably figure to be his best offensive skill/asset going forward.

Next: Trigger Happy Derrick Rose