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Milwaukee Bucks: How Will The Bench Look?

By Lukas Harkins

Dec 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) celebrate following a basket during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) celebrate following a basket during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 31, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Michael Beasley (8) shoots the ball during the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Beasley

Recently acquired forward Michael Beasley is a player who can just flat-out score. His usage rate is off the charts (29.7 percent last year), but he also averaged 25.3 points per 36 minutes. He might have limited NBA experience for a former second overall pick, but Beasley could be a nice fit with Milwaukee.

Without Middleton supplying his point production, the Bucks will need to generate more scoring off the bench, and that is just where Beasley fits in. He was very solid for the Rockets in 20 games last season and that stretch is likely to continue with Milwaukee. Watch out for him to be a high volume performer off the bench.

Strengths

Score. Score. Score. That is just what Beasley does. He might not be an exceptional shooter (career 34.4 percent shooter from deep), but he can attack the rack and finish well. The vast majority of his shot attempts come near the rim, which fits his play style as an athletic power forward. His ability to put the ball in the basket will be a very nice skill off the bench, especially when playing alongside a pass-first point guard like Michael Carter-Williams.

Along with his immense scoring numbers, Beasley is fairly good rebounder as well, snatching 9.7 boards per 36 minutes. Teaming up with Greg Monroe and John Henson down low, that combination should prove to be a menace on the glass for opponents. They all have flaws in their games, but as rebounders, they can be a force.

Weaknesses

That usage rate is enormous. A 29.7 percent usage rate would have been #1 on the Bucks last season by quite a bit (team leader was Greg Monroe at 23.5 percent). With the team leader Monroe on the floor with him, that is a huge amount of possessions taken care of. If he can tone down his usage and become a more efficient scorer, that would greatly benefit the team.

On the other side of the ball, he is not a good defender. The Bucks are hoping to improve defensively after a rough year last year, but Beasley does not help in that regard. He is quite effective offensively, but it is hard for him to play good defense without an imposing rim protector next to him (cue John Henson).

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