Behind the Bucks Pass
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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 Takeaways From Series Loss To Toronto Raptors

By Ti Windisch

Apr 27, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket as kToronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) defends during the third quarter in game six of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket as kToronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) defends during the third quarter in game six of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd gestures as he speaks to his player during a 106-100 loss to Toronto Raptors in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd gestures as he speaks to his player during a 106-100 loss to Toronto Raptors in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Time To Change The Scheme?

This topic is another one that’s becoming old hat in Bucks circles, but it’s a fair point. Milwaukee’s defense was stifling to start the series, but the Raptors quickly adjusted by starting Norman Powell in place of Jonas Valanciunas.

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That move brought Thon Maker out of the paint. When the Bucks swarmed the ball-handler and trapped, all Toronto had to do was find whoever was open and they could get a three-pointer or a drive to the rim with ease.

Toronto was able to find open shooters whenever the Raptors moved the ball. The huge run the Bucks went on in the second half of Game 6 was possible because Toronto stopped passing, making it much easier for the Bucks to defend the Raps.

When questions about Milwaukee’s unique defense have come up this season, the recurring answer has been that it’s not possible to make any huge changes during the season. Now that the Bucks have months off until their next game, it would definitely be possible to make some changes.

The most obvious one would be to simply trap less. With Thon in the starting lineup, Milwaukee could switch on pretty much any screen they wanted to without giving up a huge matchup problem.

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Instead of swarming the ball, the Bucks could stay home and prevent those pesky corner threes from opening up in the first place. There’s no guarantee any change is made to the defense, but if one were to happen it would during the offseason.

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