Based on their roster makeover this summer, it was clear that the Milwaukee Bucks felt like change was needed after last year's issues. If a summer full of shocking transactions wasn't enough proof, Doc Rivers outright said the quiet part out loud during a recent media appearance, highlighting just how much the new moves will help make this team a better defensive unit.
"Defensively, we were good last year, but we had to play a more passive style of defense because of what we had. It's just hard every night to win that way when you're more back on your heels than the offense. We want to put the other team on their heels, and the way to do that is through pressure, being more athletic, and we think the changes we made will help with that."
Retooled Bucks' defense should be much better than last year's
Since Doc Rivers took over as coach, he's taken plenty of criticism for his team's defense, but it hasn't all been his fault. While he put forth effort, Damian Lillard was no Jrue Holiday on that side of the ball. Brook Lopez was great defending right at the hoop, but the second he got dragged out beyond that, trouble began brewing, as he was often exploited. It didn't help that Taurean Prince was tasked with being Milwaukee's primary wing defender every single night because of the personnel.
Doc Rivers could only work with those recurring issues so much.
Of course, Lillard, Lopez, and Prince weren't the only ones at fault for Milwaukee's defensive issues, and Rivers wasn't perfect with his schemes. However, the Bucks are better-equipped to make some noise on that side of the ball than they were last year because they've fully bought into athleticism, versatility, and youth. The motor of this team will be far different from what it has been in past years, and it could fuel their return to form as a good defensive team.
It all starts with Myles Turner. Milwaukee's new center can protect the rim among the best of them but can also move his feet and defend in space. He's not elite in that regard, but he can hold his own far better than Lopez, who is eight years older. Fully buying into Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, and Amir Coffey - if he makes the roster - will also improve Milwaukee's perimeter defensive efforts. Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. generating steals and fast break opportunities will be a great strength.
Above all else, the Milwaukee Bucks' moves this summer signaled that they didn't want to have any liabilities on the court. If a player cannot play on both sides of the ball, it will be tough to crack the rotation. In the modern NBA, that has become the new norm.
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