Milwaukee Bucks: How do standout Bucks teams since 2000 compare?
By Ben Sewell
2016-17 Milwaukee Bucks
Depth Chart
Guards – Malcolm Brogdon, Matthew Dellavedova, Tony Snell, Jason Terry, Rashad Vaughn and Gary Payton II
Forwards – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jabari Parker, Michael Beasley and Mirza Teletovic
Center – Greg Monroe, Thon Maker, Spencer Hawes and John Henson
Starting lineup – Brogdon, Snell, Parker/Middleton, Antetokounmpo, Maker
Sixth Man – Greg Monroe
Star Player – Giannis Antetokounmpo (All-Star, All-NBA 2nd Team, Most Improved Player, All-NBA 2nd Defensive team).
Coach – Jason Kidd
Guards – A definite weakness in this side is the guard rotation, in both depth and quality. Although Brogdon (10.2 points, 40.4 percent from three, 4.2 assists) shone in his Rookie Of The Year campaign, he didn’t have much help.
Although Terry (4.2 points and 42.7 percent from three) provided valuable veteran experience and Dellevadova (7.6 points and 4.7 assists) had a statistically solid season, it wasn’t quite enough.
Often, the Bucks were on the losing end due to their guard rotations’ inability to provide any spark offensively. Too often, “Point Giannis” was called upon to provide something he’s not entirely suited to providing, a definite issue the current Bucks team still has going forward.
Forwards – The hands down, undoubted strength of this side is located in their forward rotation. Giannis (22.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists) became a bonafide star this season and combined well with Parker (20.1 points and 6.1 rebounds) and Middleton (14.7 points, 43.3 percent from three) while they were fit and on the court.
Tony Snell (8.5 points, 40.6 percent from three) and Michael Beasley (9.4 points, 41.9 percent from three) provided valuable cover throughout the season. Of the three teams, the current Bucks roster has the clear advantage at the forward positions, boasting both star power and depth.
Center – Speaking in terms of depth, this is the strongest area for the Bucks, boasting four genuine centers. Thon Maker (4 points, 2 rebounds, 0.5 blocks) surpassed all expectations and made himself a genuine starter by the time the playoffs arrived with his lock down defensive game. Going forward, he appears to be an ideal side kick to Giannis with his ability to knock down threes and defend multiple positions at an elite level.
Greg Monroe (11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds) also had an excellent season, providing extremely valuable minutes for the Bucks off the bench and finishing (ironically) sixth in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Hawes (4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds) and Henson (6.8 points and 5.1 rebounds) also provided valuable minutes throughout the season. Although as the NBA progresses away from the traditional big man, you’ll continue to see the value of guys like Henson and Monroe diminishing in the future.