Milwaukee Bucks: 3 reasons for optimism at halfway point in 2020-21 season

Third reason for optimism — Milwaukee Bucks’ new ‘Big 3’ has lived to their billing

For as much as the offensive improvements they’ve sported and the increased defensive variety they’ve turned to, all of it has been defined by their new ‘Big 3′ of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton.

While Holiday’s recent bout with COVID-19 disrupted their shared time on the floor and grwoing chemistry, the Bucks’ top three players have been the nucleus they’ve needed to power them through the season. When those three share the floor, the Bucks are outscoring their opponents by 10.7 points per 100 possessions in 483 minutes this season.

The trio of Antetokounmpo, Holiday and Middleton are so instrumental in what the Bucks are looking to achieve this season and the evidence we have so far is all three snugly fitting with one another.

Holiday, in particular, has brought a certain calm and confidence to the Bucks this season, especially as they have taken on more reps in clutch time situations. Certainly Holiday’s recent game-winning shot against the Memphis Grizzlies was indicative of all of that. And that all goes on top of the well-rounded game he possesses and the defensive versatility the Bucks will lean on against the top teams the rest of the way.

As the Bucks have clearly improved their top-end talent, trying to find the right lineup configurations to lift them further is an ever-evolving quest and dependent on the premier matchups they’re due to face. While they face many financial restrictions in the lead up to the trade deadline and on the buyout market, the Bucks will be players for a midseason addition who they hope will fortify their roster.

But it’s Antetokounmpo, Holiday and Middleton who will all come to define what the Bucks achieve moving forward this year.

With all of that laid out, now is the time to see how the second half of the season will unfold for the Milwaukee Bucks and they’ll start that when they host the New York Knicks Thursday night.