Milwaukee Bucks: How each player can improve before the season’s end
By William Wang
Second Unit
Jabari Parker: Get healthy, and off-ball defense
Parker is still getting up to game speed, as Basketball Biomechanics pointed out. If Parker can return to form this season, count that as a success. Improving his off-ball awareness would be the cherry on top.
Sterling Brown: Decision making
The rookie has exceeded expectations for his first year, already stepping in as a valuable 3-and-D rotation player. He just needs to build his game experience, making the right passes and shooting the right shots.
Thon Maker: Play within himself
Maker brings energy every time he steps on the court, but his energy is not always applied effectively. The sophomore is overwhelmed with trying to improve so many parts of his game at once. Maker needs to channel his vigor into disciplined play on defense, and confidence on offense.
Matthew Dellavedova, Malcolm Brogdon, Mirza Teletovic: Get Healthy
Dellavedova remains out for at least two more weeks with a right ankle injury. Brogdon is out for at least four to six more weeks with a partially torn left quadricep tendon. The Bucks just need their savvy guards to be back to game speed in time for the playoffs.
Teletovic’s basketball career remains in question as he remains out indefinitely with pulmonary emboli. At the very least, the Bucks will just hope Teletovic can regain his health for his personal life.
Everyone else: Make your shots and compete
Tyler Zeller, Sean Kilpatrick, and Jason Terry currently play rotation minutes, and have produced off the bench. Xavier Munford, Marshall Plumlee, and D.J. Wilson have mostly been relegated to garbage time, and will need to earn greater opportunities.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Looking back on the Ray Allen trade 15 years later
Minor improvements could make all the difference for the Bucks. Now, can the players deliver?