Over the last handful of years, the Milwaukee Bucks have been at their best when they're playing fast. However, with the key components of the roster aging, they've been able to do that less and less, and the lack of late-season success speaks for itself. Now, after a summer of change, the Bucks are on the cusp of reigniting a key component of what fueled their best basketball in recent memory.
The Milwauke Bucks need to play fast out of the gates next season
Milwaukee's pace has been mediocre over the last several years. This past year, they ranked 14th in the NBA. In 2023-24, it was eighth. In 2022-23, they were 10th. Health has obviously been a crucial factor in the team's lack of success, but the style of play hasn't helped. While the rest of the NBA has relied on youth, athleticism, and speed, the Bucks failed to keep up with the times.
Now, turning back the clock, the best Bucks teams of the decade were clearly 2020-21 and 2021-22. During their title season, Milwaukee ranked second in the NBA in pace. The year after, when they had an excellent chance of repeating before Khris Middleton went down with an injury, they ranked third. The two teams played with impressive pace, but they've been unable to recapture that. Now, they can.
Milwaukee's offseason retooling has seen them drop the age of the roster significantly. Brook Lopez is in Los Angeles. Damian Lillard made his way back to Portland. Khris Middleton left last season, but he will be gone for the entire year now. The oldest Buck is 33-year-old Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and he won't play much at all. A 33-year-old being the oldest player in town is unheard of for the Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks have surrounded Giannis Antetokounmpo with young, energetic players who will push the pace in transition on both ends. In years past, transition was always a glaring weak point for the Bucks due to not everyone being able to get back. Now, with so much youth in tow, that feels like it will be less of a lingering issue next season.
Myles Turner, who just came over from an Indiana team that ranked seventh in pace and went to the NBA Finals, will play a vital part in this. If he can consistently keep up and play with pace at center, the Bucks will be in a much better position. For all of the good he did, this wasn't something Brook Lopez did well during his final few years with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Of course, it will also fall on Doc Rivers' shoulders to make this happen. As evidenced by the numbers, he hasn't hammered it home yet, but there's still time. It could be the key to finally helping the Bucks leap back into the title-contending picture.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.