After many months of fans imploring for a change, as well as the first two games of their round one playoff series in which the team came out of the gate flat, Milwaukee Bucks' head coach Doc Rivers finally conceded and made a starting lineup shift in the Game 3 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Bucks' new starting lineup shift sparks victory
For the first two games of their round one playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks fanbase watched with disdain and unease as the team struggled mightily to find its footing against a very determined and fast-paced Pacers team.
The very familiar frustrations of extremely slow starts from the opening tip and questionable rotations bubbled to the surface, echoing the sentiments that had been swirling amongst the fanbase for months. Calls grew for a starting lineup change. Finally, in Game 3, it appears as though Doc Rivers had an epiphany, though it may simply be too late.
The most significant change in the starting lineup was a move that many had clamored for over the past couple of months. Starting guard Taurean Price, who has been a regular throughout the regular season and the first two playoff games, was moved to the bench, which paved the way for Gary Trent Jr. to join the starting five.
Make no mistake about it, as this was not a subtle tweak to the starting lineup. It was more of a clear signal that Doc Rivers recognized the dire need for a different dynamic from the opening tip. The impact was both immediate and undeniable, as Trent Jr. exploded for a playoff career-high 37 points, showcasing the sharpshooting prowess that many fans believed had been underutilized.
His career-high nine 3-pointers not only fueled the Bucks' offense but also provided crucial spacing for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to operate. The energy and flow of the starting unit felt palpably different, which was a direct response to the change in personnel.
The starting lineup change wasn't the only subtle shift. While the starting lineup garnered the most attention, the overall rotation seemed to have a renewed sense of purpose. Players who had seen inconsistent minutes found themselves in opportune moments, and the minutes distribution appeared more aligned with the immediate needs of the game.
For the Milwaukee Bucks' fanbase, this adjustment felt very much like a breath of fresh air. The frustration of watching stagnant offensive sets and defensive mismatches had been mounting. The willingness to deviate from established patterns, to finally address the concerns that had been voiced repeatedly on social media, offered a glimmer of hope.
Obviously, one victory does not necessarily turn the series around, especially after Damian Lillard went down in Game 4 and could very well remain sidelined. The Bucks find themselves in a 3-1 hole and will have to make yet another starting lineup change. Yet, had Lillard stayed healthy, perhaps this lineup change could have been the spark the team needed.
Tactical flexibility potential
It is fair to say that Doc Rivers may have viewed Taurean Prince's skill set as less crucial in the specific game plan after Game 2. With the focus on perimeter scoring and containing Tyrese Haliburton, Prince's more versatile but perhaps less specialized skill set might have been deemed less essential in this particular matchup. Hence, the reason why Prince only played three minutes in Game 3 and 14 in Game 4, the latter likely being due to Lillard's injury.
It remains to be seen if this will be the standard approach moving forward. Playoff series are all about adjustments and counter-adjustments, just like in a chess game. Prince's versatility and experience very well could still be valuable assets for the Milwaukee Bucks as the series progresses, especially as they scramble without Damian Lillard.
For now, Taurean Prince's limited minutes appear to be a direct consequence of a calculated and ultimately successful tactical shift by Doc Rivers.