Milwaukee Bucks Best and Worst: October 26 – November 11

In the first edition of the Bucks Best and Worst, we look at Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s stardom, Miles Plumlee‘s struggles, and much more.

Welcome to the Bucks Best and Worst, a semi-regular column that will look back on some of the most encouraging and discouraging events we’ve seen in recent games.

We will focus on more overarching trends and statistical positives and negatives than simple game-by-game analysis. The hope here is that by taking a step back, we can avoid short-term overreaction and focus on more encompassing issues.

At around three weeks into the new season, there truthfully hasn’t been a ton to complain about. The Bucks have surprisingly been competitive in most of their games, which seems to deviate from what many have expected prior to the season.

However, there have been legitimate grievances regarding certain players or trends that will need to be addressed if the Bucks want to continue to improve.

Bests

Giannis Euro-steps His Way to Stardom

For all the hype surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo prior to the season, so far it looks like he may have surpassed most expectations. In the absence of Khris Middleton, Giannis has seen a career-high in usage rate (28.2 percent, up from 22.3 last season) and with that an uptick in virtually every statistic.

Through eight games, Giannis is putting up numbers that have literally never been duplicated in NBA history.

The rest of the league is officially beginning to not only notice, but fear the Greek Freak, as he has truly made the ascent into stardom.

That isn’t to say this performance comes completely as a surprise, but this development from Giannis is exactly what the Bucks were counting on to become a championship contender down the road.

Mirza Teletovic Goes Nuclear

Mirza Teletovic started slow, shooting just 5-for-18 from behind the arc in his first five games, but rebounded in a big way with a 22 point performance featuring seven-for-nine three-point shooting against the Sacramento Kings.

These type of Mirza Games, along with an improved three-point percentage at .441, not only make the team better, but electrify the crowd in ways non-shooting teams often can’t.

When Mirza goes off in this fashion, his fans and teammates are in for a treat, as he has the power to take over and swing the tides of any game he plays in.

Malcolm Brogdon Turns Heads

Immediately after the most recent NBA draft, and even in the weeks and months following, the biggest takeaways from the Bucks’ selections ranged somewhere from disbelief to hope.

Of course, these emotions were almost entirely in response to the selection of Thon Maker, so as it were, the second round choice of Malcolm Brogdon went largely unnoticed by the masses. Since then however, Brogdon has done everything to change that sentiment.

The former Virginia Cavalier become an integral part of the rotation, playing around 20 minutes per game, and unlike many younger players (Rashad Vaughn comes to mind), these minutes aren’t wasted with inactivity.

With healthy averages of 7.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and three assists per game, Brogdon has taken to stuffing the stat sheet, seeing time at both the point guard and shooting guard position, the former of which he never played in college.

His mature demeanor and heady play have made Brogdon a favorite of both fans and writers alike, as “Uncle Malcolm” came in fourth in the latest NBA rookie ladder.

If play like this keeps up, Bucks fans could be watching their first All-Rookie player since Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2014.

Worsts

Missing: Miles Plumlee – Reward: $50 Million

This trend may have been foreseen, or at least feared by many in the Bucks biosphere, but the Miles Plumlee signing has looked more and more troublesome as the season has gone on.

Plumlee started the first eight games of the new season before being benched in favor of John Henson, a decision that in many eyes, came too late.

Even last season, in which he warranted his new four-year, $50 million contract, the 28 year old was never prominently featured in any box score, checking in at just 5.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Through eight games this year, in exactly the same 14.3 minutes per game, these averages have fallen to 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds.

What may be more troubling is that Plumlee has more or less maintained his pick and roll play, averaging 1.18 points per possession as the roll man. This trend is largely what led the Bucks to re-sign Miles this offseason, as it served to unlock Giannis’ play at the point.

However, unlike last year, Plumlee has posted a negative-14 net rating, which is among the worst marks on the team.The book isn’t closed on this situation, especially not as Plumlee will be under contract for the next three seasons, but it’s safe to say that it has started out subpar.

More from Behind the Buck Pass

• Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
• Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
• Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
• Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
• New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited

Inconsistency

This is a less specific gripe, and one that may not even be founded in statistics, but many Bucks fans likely feel that the young Bucks are much too vulnerable towards inconsistent play.

After a three-game winning streak that saw Milwaukee defeat that Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings by 18 and 26 points respectively, the Bucks turned around and handed the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans each their first wins of the season, right before defeating the Memphis Grizzlies in a good game at home.

This is most likely a lack-of-maturity issue that should be solved as the Bucks leaders grow older, but if Milwaukee wants any shot at playoff relevancy, consistency must be achieved.

Next: Next Five Games Could Decide the Season

That’s it for this week, make sure to check back soon to see the highlights and lowlights of this week’s action!