The Milwaukee Bucks have certainly righted the ship coming out of the All-Star break.
While they have slipped in the last two games with their losses to the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks, Milwaukee is not far removed from playing their best basketball of the season, as evidenced by their eight-game winning streak.
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The Knicks’ loss certainly wasn’t on the level of the Celtics, given that the Bucks had eight active players on hand and rested several starters on the eve of going into their longest road trip of the season.
Still at 29-16 on the season, good for the third seed in the East, the Bucks are keeping pace with the likes of Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets.
With that in mind, let’s go over the rising trends that have all emerged for the Milwaukee Bucks since they have resumed play from the All-Star break.
Jon Horst and Mike Budenholzer are rising trends for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks, namely general manager Jon Horst, have certainly been busy shoring up their roster over the last couple of weeks, all of which started with their move for P.J. Tucker, along with Rodions Kurucs, that saw them send out D.J. Augustin, D.J. Wilson and a pair of draft picks. On that same Wednesday, the Bucks sent out Torrey Craig to the Phoenix Suns for cash considerations.
Milwaukee had been hot on Tucker’s trail dating all the way back to the offseason and they finally get the defensive specialist they need that will be essential to continue their defensive evolution. They were able to do so without having to move Donte DiVincenzo, rather for pieces that never found their footing in Milwaukee.
While Horst has been busy making changes to the Bucks’ roster, head coach Mike Budenholzer is on the rise after it seemed at times that his seat may have been heating up this season. However, the Bucks have showed a renewed effort in defending the three point line, a historical sore spot under Budenholzer’s watch.
Since the All-Star break the Milwaukee Bucks have been switching screens more often and contesting opponents three point attempts and the acquisition of Tucker will raise the Bucks’ defensive versatility. That is when he’s fully healthy as he’s missed the last two games due to a left calf strain.