Milwaukee Bucks Grades, Reactions From 92-74 Win Over Denver Nuggets

Milwaukee Bucks Grades: Starters

Jerryd Bayless, C-

7 Points | 2-6 FG | 2-2 FT | 1 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK |

This was the Bayless that was around for most of last season. Gone was the efficient three-point shooter who actually waited and picked smart spots for shots. This was the chucker who doesn’t do quite enough passing, and other starters paid for that.

O.J. Mayo, C

9 Points| 3-8 FG | 1-1 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK |

Juice needs to start passing more if he’s going to have a spot on this team going forward. His numbers didn’t end up bad against the Nuggets, but the manner in which he got his points were concerning. Far too much isolation, not enough ball movement. That’s not a recipe for success in the modern NBA.

Khris Middleton, B

10 Points | 3-9 FG | 3-3 FT | 1 REB | 5 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK |

Middleton didn’t get many shots thanks to Juice and Jerryd taking all of them, but he still ended up with five assists in this one. I love selfless Middleton–he’s a team player, and he’s proving exactly why he’s worth that big deal he got this offseason with his play of late.

 Giannis Antetokounmpo, C

9 Points | 3-10 FG | 3-4 FT | 6 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK |

Giannis needs more minutes, and more confidence. Recent events in the locker room seem to have him playing different than he was at the start of the season, but it’s not a good change. Giannis and Jabari’s development is the most important part of this season–every night Bayless and Mayo get over ten more minutes than Giannis does is a wasted game.

Greg Monroe, B+

18 Points| 8-11 FG | 2-2 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 2 BLK |

Monroe was really good in the scant minutes he got against Denver. It’s a bit confusing as to why Moose only got some 24 minutes despite dominating his man in this one. Does he get tired? Or is this just a side affect of four guards playing a combined 120 minutes?

Next: Grades: Bench