Behind the Bucks Pass
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Milwaukee Bucks: 49 years in 49 days – 2015-16 season

By Ti Windisch

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 26: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the hoop during there second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at BMO Harris Bradley Center on December 26, 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 26: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the hoop during there second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at BMO Harris Bradley Center on December 26, 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks missed the playoffs after what could only be considered a disappointing season in 2015-16.

The season: 2015-16

The record: 33-49

The postseason: Nope

The story:

The Milwaukee Bucks were determined to capitalize on a nice 2014-15 season by adding a big-time free agent and focusing more on young players. Several moves the team made after that run were meant to build toward those goals.

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Ersan Ilyasova, Jared Dudley and Zaza Pachulia were all traded for essentially no return. None of those players had huge deals, but the combination of the three of them being moved opened up some serious cap space that Milwaukee intended on using.

Greg Monroe would end up being the beneficiary of the Bucks’ salary dumping, as he signed a huge deal with the club after turning down the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks. It’s not hyperbole to say that was probably the first time an NBA free agent turned down max deals from franchises based in New York and Los Angeles to sign in Milwaukee.

Khris Middleton also got some money, as the Bucks locked him up quickly before he was able to really even hear offers from other teams. He made Milwaukee look great for buying into him by leading the Bucks in scoring that year.

Middleton put up 18.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from deep on the season. He started all 79 games that he played in and played almost exactly 36 minutes per game.

There was little doubt that he was the best Buck for the entirety of the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo sure gave him a run for his money after he took on more of a role on offense during the second half of the year, though.

Giannis’ season numbers are good in themselves, as he put up 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks each night. After the All-Star break he functioned with the ball in his hands on offense a lot more, and his per game averages reflect that. The Greek Freak posted 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game in the second portion of the season, giving birth to the idea of Point Giannis.

Jabari Parker was healthy for most of the season as well, and he had a decent year. Jabari posted 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Monroe slotted in as the Bucks’ third-leading scorer in his first season in Milwaukee, putting up 15.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

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Despite some encouraging signs from those players, especially Middleton and Antetokounmpo, the 2015-16 Bucks weren’t all that good. Injuries to Jerryd Bayless, Michael Carter-Williams and O.J. Mayo exposed the lack of depth caused by dumping all those veterans before the season. The youth movement also led to a reduction in defensive efficiency.

The Bucks’ swarming defensive scheme was the fourth-best in the league by points per 100 possessions in the previous year. In 2015-16, Milwaukee was 23rd in defensive efficiency.

The Bucks’ offense couldn’t overcome a lack of non-shooters, and Milwaukee ended up being a bottom-ten offense as well. The team struggled all year and finished 33-49, outside of the postseason race even in the weakened Eastern Conference.

Next: 49 years in 49 days: 2014-15 season

A much more productive offseason, and leaps in production from key players, would save the Bucks from missing the postseason for a second straight season after the disappointment in 2016.

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