Steals
The Bucks’ steal numbers went down from the second highest in the league in 2017-18 to very much falling in the middle of the pack last season. That was a natural byproduct of the more conservative defensive scheme employed by Mike Budenholzer, but it still afforded room for a couple of individuals to enjoy success.
There’s no reason to believe the core principles of the defense will change, but this season, those numbers may still see a slight increase based on personnel additions alone.
3rd: Wesley Matthews
Where steals weren’t much of a feature in Malcolm Brogdon’s game, Matthews’ defense-first mindset will make him a frequent threat to pick opponents’ pockets or to come away with interceptions in the passing lanes.
Matthews averages 1.1 steals per game for his career, and before being shifted around in trades last year, he’d racked up four consecutive seasons of picking up an average of at least one steal per game. If he wins the starting spot in Milwaukee, as most expect, he’ll be odds on to fall in that range once again.
2nd: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Once again, it’s entirely possible that Giannis could finish up at no. 1 in this category. After all, he is just one season removed from leading Milwaukee in all five stat categories. On the whole, though, steals appear to have been an area that has suffered as Giannis’ skills and body have developed.
Antetokounmpo’s all-around defense is formidable, but his added size has seen his emphasis on that end shift a little bit more toward the interior of late. Since racking up a career-high 1.6 steals per game in 2016-17, Giannis’ steals have declined two years running. He’ll still come up with his fair share due to his high IQ, and his free safety style role with the Bucks, but he’s no longer the young wildcard living off of gambles in the passing lanes.
1st: Eric Bledsoe
Bledsoe averaged 0.5 steals fewer per game last year than in the Bucks’ blitzing scheme the year previously, and yet he still finished as Milwaukee’s clear steals leader at the end of the season. His combination of pressure defense and exceptional speed, both with his feet and his hands, means that opposing point guards can’t switch off at any moment with Bledsoe around.
In his first season with the Bucks, Bledsoe ranked third in the NBA in steals. Even with Milwaukee’s less aggressive approach he was 16th in the league last year. He’s one of the NBA’s very best in this department, and that will see him top of this category for the team next year.