Grading The Milwaukee Bucks Current Depth Chart
By Ti Windisch
Small Forward
The Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Talent Grade – D: Giannis Antetokounmpo was a top tier player in the latter months of the 2015-16 NBA season. But he’s only one player. A position group needs at least two players to be decent, and really needs three to be considered solid.
Even if we assume Steve Novak will be a Buck next season, this is still by far the weakest area in Milwaukee’s rotation. Just because Giannis is very good doesn’t mean Milwaukee doesn’t have to throw a real backup behind him.
Fit Grade – A: I was very torn between giving Giannis’ fit with the Bucks either an A or a N/A. The reason for that is simple: he’s the centerpiece that Milwaukee is building around. His talent and potential are such that the Bucks are okay with adapting their roster to mask his weaknesses and exemplify his strengths.
As with shooting guard, the only real benefit to not having a proven backup–or in this case any backup–is that there won’t be jockeying for the starting position or for minutes. Nobody the Bucks add at small forward will think they have a real shot at displacing Giannis as the starter. Still, the Greek Freak needs some help.
Next: Power Forward