Currently riding a four-game winning streak, the Milwaukee Bucks appear to have found their footing at this point in their 2020-21 run.
Although they will certainly be tested on their current road swing out West, the Bucks stand at 15-8 on the season after racking up decisive victories over the Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers over the last week.
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With all that in mind, we’re starting a new project where we’ll recognize the three stars of the week for the Bucks in the vein of how hockey highlights recognizes the three best players on a given night.
What we’ll look for in these three stars is how Bucks players impacted the week it was, with the third star generally shining a light on a bench player who enjoyed a standout week or a high-level performance.
So without further ado, let’s hand out our three stars for the week that was for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ first star of the week — Giannis Antetokounmpo
Another week in the books, another set of dominating performances from superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
It was a more modest start to the week for Antetokounmpo in the Bucks’ 28-point victory over the Blazers last Monday night, but Antetokounmpo was only getting started as it turned out. Turning out his third triple-double of the season against Indiana, Antetokounmpo showed just how he’s been able to thrive within the Bucks’ revamped offensive system this season.
After dispatching the Pacers, Antetokounmpo played a central role in the Bucks sweeping the Cavaliers in their back-to-back set to start off this current six-game road set.
In those four games, Antetokounmpo averaged 24 points on .610/.286/.733 shooting splits, 10.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.5 blocks over 30.4 minutes per game. That’s certainly the stuff of an MVP and it’s why he earned the first star of the week for the Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ second star of the week — Jrue Holiday
The Bucks’ biggest newcomer from the offseason, Jrue Holiday continues to acclimate to his new surroundings swimmingly.
Holiday takes home the second star honors from last week for the way he has played his brand of two-way basketball. That all started when he helped limit Damian Lillard to one of his quietest scoring performances of the season so far, all while scoring 22 points on 10-for-14 shooting, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals in nearly 30 minutes of run.
That certainly set the tone for the Bucks’ dominant week and especially against the Pacers as Holiday clamped down on former Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon to an inefficient 12-point outing on 5-for-17 shooting from the field (2-for-6 from deep).
It was in Cleveland where Holiday turned in some of his most commanding offensive performances of the season, all of which played a part in the Bucks beating the Cavs by a combined 47 points over those two nights.
In those four games, Holiday averaged 17.5 points on .674/.545/.500 shooting splits, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2.3 steals over 27.9 minutes per contest. All along the way, Holiday has led by example and it’s clear that Holiday’s quiet confidence has been infectious for the Bucks overall this season.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ third star of the week — Bobby Portis
As he has done all season long, Bobby Portis did plenty of Bobby Portis things to benefit the Bucks and their undefeated week.
Portis has given the Bucks quite the efficient scoring punch off the bench this season and that continue with three double-digit scoring performances last week, including matching his season-high of 21 points against the Blazers. Along with that, Portis continue to attack the glass with plenty of verve and tenacity on both ends of the floor.
In Milwaukee’s four games last week, Portis averaged 14 points on .533/.583/.333 shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 21 minutes per contest.
With the continued scoring lifts he has given the Bucks and the winning he has finally enjoyed, it’s clear that Portis has been among those most enjoying his time in Milwaukee this season as he recently discussed with Spencer Davies of BasketballNews.com:
"“Obviously, it’s always fun playing this game. It’s a beautiful game if you play it the right way, and I’ve been having a lot of fun this year,” Portis said. “I think if you ask anybody about me, I’m the same person every day of my life. I don’t know no other way to be. All I know is to be Bobby Portis. I can’t fake the funk. I’mma go out there every day, be who I am, play hard, make the right play. Just play with an edge, play with a swag, play with energy. That’s who I’ve been my whole life, and I’m gonna continue to be who I am. I don’t know how to be any other way.”"
The Bucks will certainly delight in the spark plug role that Portis has carved out on this year’s Bucks team.
We’ll be back again next week to look at the three stars that will hopefully make for a successful road swing out West for the Bucks as far as their current road trip goes.