Behind the Bucks Pass
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Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 2012-13 season

By Ti Windisch

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 9: Monta Ellis #11 and Brandon Jennings #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks in a game against the Golden State Warriors on March 9, 2013 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 9: Monta Ellis #11 and Brandon Jennings #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks in a game against the Golden State Warriors on March 9, 2013 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks rode their small backcourt as far as it would take them during the 2012-13 season.

The season: 2012-13

The record: 38-44

The postseason: 0-4, lost in the first round

The story:

After bringing Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings together during the 2011-12 season, the Milwaukee Bucks missed the playoffs. Still, their abridged run with that backcourt in place went well, so the team ran those two back as their offensive fulcrum during the 2012-13 season.

With Andrew Bogut now in Golden State, Larry Sanders ended up getting the bulk of the starts at center in Milwaukee. That explains how despite starting the defensively lacking pairing of Jennings and Ellis, the Bucks still ranked 12th in defensive efficiency that season.

Ekpe Udoh‘s presence certainly helped, as did Luc Mbah a Moute‘s. That team ended up having a fun mix of players who are still in the NBA today, although the Bucks’ boisterous backcourt definitely led the way in both putting up points and calling some shots.

Ellis took the scoring lead that year, putting up 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game in a nice all-around season. Jennings added 17.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.6 steals of his own as Ellis’ backcourt buddy.

Those two were never the most efficient players, which explains why Milwaukee had the NBA’s 22nd ranked offense in terms of points per 100 possessions. The Bucks ranked 12th in points per game because of the quick pace Jennings and Ellis ran at–only two teams used more possessions per game.

Ersan Ilyasova scored 13.2 points per game while draining 44.4 percent of his 2.9 three-point attempts per game, making him the leading Buck in terms of three-point percentage. He was also Milwaukee’s third-leading scorer.

The fourth-place finisher in scoring was a mid-season acquisition. At the 2013 trade deadline Milwaukee flipped Tobias Harris, Doron Lamb and Beno Udrih for J.J. Redick, Gustavo Ayon and Ish Smith.

Because Ellis was firmly entrenched in the starting two-guard spot, Redick rode the bench. Still, he added 12.3 points per game in 28.7 minutes per game, the third-most any player got that season. Only the starting guards played more per game.

About a month and a half before that deal, the Bucks and head coach Scott Skiles reached a “mutual agreement” to part ways. Jim Boylan was installed to finish the year heading up the Bucks.

That fun group unfortunately wasn’t all that good. After starting 16-16 under Skiles, Boylan led the Bucks to a 22-28 record, meaning as a whole the team finished 38-44. In a very weak Eastern Conference, that somehow meant a playoff spot for the Bucks.

Thank goodness for Behind the Buck Pass’ podcast’s sake it did. I present the most important moment from the 2012-13 NBA season:

They did not win in six. As described in the video above, the Bucks matched up with the Miami Heat in the first round in 2013. The defending champions made light work out of the Bucks on their way to another title and Milwaukee was swept by LeBron and company.

Next: 49 years in 49 days: 2011-12 season

The Bucks would be forced to make adjustments after losing in four in the postseason due to a few players deciding to head towards greener pastures.

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