3 takeaways for the Milwaukee Bucks at quarter mark of 2021-22 season
#3: The Milwaukee Bucks own the best Big 3 in the NBA
Yes, we haven’t seen them together for a stretch longer than seven games yet this season (it’ll be eight games soon!), but you can’t deny how great the Bucks’ three best players have been when they’ve played together.
The Bucks are undefeated when they have all three of Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Holiday in the lineup and lineups with those three at plus-23.3 per 100 possessions. Before the season, I ranked the Bucks trio second among the best in the league, right behind the Brooklyn Nets. Well, guess what, the Nets don’t have their trio, and out of all the ones listed, the Bucks trio has the best net rating.
Even with all of the lineup fluctuation, injuries, and illnesses, the Bucks trio has persevered, despite some struggles upon returning to the lineup. All three members are terrific at both ends of the floor and fit perfectly alongside each other.
Beyond those three, the Bucks have also done a fantastic job and filling in players to fit with them. Grayson Allen has stepped in to become a great floor spacer and secondary ball-handler in a pinch, Bobby Portis also provides excellent spacing as a big while bringing energy and effort at both ends, George Hill has been a wonderful addition and fits in very well alongside Holiday in two-guard lineups.
It helps that the Bucks’ trio each plays a style that is easy to mesh with, which has made the transition into the lineup easier for the new guys. At this point in the season last year, we were watching the Bucks’ big three figure out how to play off of one another and now, after a full season and championship run together, you’re seeing how great they can be.
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As long as the Bucks have their three best players in the lineup, they’ll be tough to beat on any given night.