Following the much-needed All-Star break, the Milwaukee Bucks’ quest to bring the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to the 414 will intensify.
Of course, any success the Bucks have will primarily rely on the Big 3 of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday. They are the engine that makes this team go, but they cannot do it alone. The Bucks will need their role players if they will make a deep playoff run, and there are a few worth noting who stand out as potential x-factors. These guys being on or off could be one of the major deciding factors in a playoff series. With that said, let us look at three x-factors for the Bucks down the stretch once they resume playing in the coming days.
3 Milwaukee Bucks’ role players who will be X-factors post All-Star break – Joe Ingles
Joe Ingles is a fascinating player. He’s 6-foot-8 and can handle and facilitate the basketball well while knocking down long-range shots with consistency. While he’s been inconsistent this year, which was expected after missing 10 months due to ACL surgery, Ingles has proven to be a nice addition to the second unit. The Bucks have never had a player like him, and if Ingles can do all of those things moving forward, he could be a major x-factor.
Ingles’ shooting and facilitating could be significant for the Bucks down the line. On his best day, Ingles is one of the more reliable shooters in the associations. He’s been hit or miss this season, but having a career 40.6 3-point shooter is always a nice thing to have. Shooting like that could help the Bucks out tremendously. The same goes for Ingles’ facilitating, as his ball-handling skills could alleviate pressure off of the Big 3 to create on the offensive end.
The question is which version of Ingles the Bucks will get down the stretch. They could get the version that was on display in January, where the forward averaged 7.5 points and 3.7 assists while shooting 43.6 percent from three. That would be tremendous, but they could also get the February version, where he has averaged four points and 2.7 assists while shooting 21.4 percent on his 3-point attempts thus far. If Ingles could regain his footing and play like he did in the month of January, he could serve as the ultimate Swiss Army knife for this bench brigade.
The Bucks bet big on Ingles by signing him before the season, and they are certainly hoping he can be a game-changer off the bench in some big moments.
3 Milwaukee Bucks’ role players who will be X-factors post All-Star break – Grayson Allen
Bucks fans have seen both sides of Grayson Allen’s x-factor status before. In last year’s first round postseason series vs. the Chicago Bulls, Allen went crazy with an elite display of 3-point shooting; he truly was a difference-maker in that series. However, in the very next round, Allen proved to be a liability on both ends as the Boston Celtics sent the Bucks home in seven games. Fans want to know which version of Allen they will be getting this season. If it’s the former, he could certainly be a difference-maker for this team.
Like Ingles, Allen’s strongest attribute is his long-range shooting. The Bucks need reliable players who can knock down long-range shots. Circling back to last year’s playoffs, Allen was a hero in the first round by shooting a blistering 58.3 percent from three. However, he looked like a completely different player in round two by shooting 20.8 percent from deep. If Allen is capable of shooting at least 40 percent down the stretch, it would help this team mightily. Allen has his flaws defensively, but if he is hitting his threes, it makes up for it to an extent.
After a poor series against the Celtics last season, Allen will undoubtedly look to right his wrongs and bounce back this year. Time will tell which version Milwaukee ultimately gets.
3 Milwaukee Bucks’ role players who will be X-factors post All-Star break – Jae Crowder
After a lengthy pursuit, the Bucks finally acquired Jae Crowder via trade. Given Milwaukee’s need for a big wing defender, Crowder should slot nicely into the rotation. On paper, the Crowder trade is great, but there are some questions regarding what the forward may look like when he puts on his jersey, given that he has not suited up in a single game this season.
The Bucks are hoping that Crowder can be a reliable 3-and-D wing, meaning he can defend many positions and shoot the long ball well. Will Crowder have lost a step defensively after spending so much time away from the game? Will he be able to find a groove from three? Those questions are there, but the Bucks are banking on the hope that Crowder can do both of those things. If Crowder can indeed do both of those things, there is no doubt that he could make a difference in a potential playoff series this season.
Crowder might be rusty at first, but the Bucks made this move with the postseason in mind. If the forward can get up to speed by then, he could very well find himself in Milwaukee’s starting five in the playoffs. The Bucks clearly view Crowder as a major piece, and time will tell how it all pans out. Crowder could very well have a chip on his shoulder as he looks to prove his place in the NBA after a rough exit in Phoenix, and Milwaukee is hoping he can help in their championship quest.
Keep an eye on these three Milwaukee Bucks as the season progresses.