Milwaukee Bucks: 3 key tactics to slow down Brooklyn Nets in Conference Semifinals

Examining Brook Lopez’s role with the Milwaukee Bucks against the Nets

Over the last few years, Brook Lopez has been the Bucks’ defensive anchor for the Milwaukee Bucks on defense and has helped space the floor for Antetokounmpo and so on. Against the Nets this season, Brook only averaged 9 points on 10-for-26 shooting from the field (38.5 percent) and 2-for-12 from downtown (16.5 percent).

There’s no question that the Nets will be looking to play attack Lopez on switches since the drop coverage tactic would not work against three of the best scorers and shooters in the league today. Lopez’s advantage on offense would also be compromised since more post ups for him would mean less space for players like Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton to create.

What Lopez’s role looks like this series will be significantly determined by Budenholzer.

The Bucks relied on Lopez’s size, length and overall sturdiness to rid themselves of the Heat in the first round, but extended minutes are far from guaranteed if the Bucks look for more versatility. The Bucks have enough firepower to withstand Lopez being on the bench with the likes of Bobby Portis spelling him for minutes and Tucker offers more mobility to make up for Lopez’s mobility concerns and ability to defend in space.

While it will be difficult for Bud to adjust Lopez’s minutes on the fly and puts more pressure on the likes of Antetokounmpo, Portis and Tucker, the Bucks have the flexibility to downsize their frontcourt if possible. Forcing the Nets to play a sluggish game and prevent the game to become a trade bucket-for-bucket is the only way Milwaukee can boost their chances to emerge victorious in this series.

Where Lopez fits into the Milwaukee Bucks’ plans in this highly anticipated series against the Nets remains to be seen, but it will be the biggest bellwether into whether the Bucks will rely on the habits they developed over the regular season.