Milwaukee Bucks Grades, Reaction From 123-86 Loss To Indiana Pacers
By Adam McGee
Milwaukee Bucks Grades: Starters
Michael Carter-Williams, C-
7 Points | 3-5 FG | 1-3 FT | 3 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | It’s trendy to criticise MCW right now, but he’s far from to blame for everything that goes wrong. Some of his point guard play in the first quarter was exceptional, and an example of exactly what it was that would have made the Bucks trade for him in the first place. His defense was certainly not what they traded for, turnovers were an issue too, but at least he wasn’t firing shots like he has so often in the past. It wasn’t a good night for MCW, but in the grand scheme of the game he was only one small part of the Bucks problem.
Khris Middleton, D
8 Points| 3-11 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | This is getting beyond the stage where Khris Middleton’s poor play can be chalked up to him simply being a slow starter to seasons. Middleton hasn’t really looked remotely close to the player who was arguably Milwaukee’s most reliable contributor last season, and last night was no different. If the Bucks are to get back on track they’ll need more than 3-11 shooting from their $70 million man.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, C
9 Points | 3-8 FG | 3-4 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 2 BLK | This was more reminiscent of the Giannis stat lines that we were used to seeing last year. The Greek Freak was never truly able to influence the game in a way even remotely close to how he did in his career high 33 point showing against Cleveland in his previous outing. Credit Paul George for a job well done, and chalk Giannis down as a victim of the contagious poor play around him last night.
Jabari Parker, B+
10 Points | 4-8 FG | 2-2 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | If you didn’t know and had been told one of the Bucks players on the floor in Indiana had been struggling with a niggling injury and ruled out indefinitely as recently as within the last seven days, you would never have picked Jabari Parker out as the man recovering. Jabari looked smooth and powerful attacking, as he looked to push pace in transition, even initiating a couple of fastbreaks due to great anticipation allowing him to steal the ball in the passing lanes. He’s still the real deal.
Greg Monroe, B+
11 Points| 4-10 FG | 3-4 FT | 14 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | When the Bucks were at the best in this one, Monroe was the fulcrum of the offense. If he wasn’t touching the ball on every possession, he was at least causing enough of a distraction to allow his teammates to thrive. His rebounding was strong, once again, but he can’t single-handedly keep the Bucks in it on the boards all season long. Sooner or later he’s going to need some help from his teammates.
Next: Grades: Bench