One of the Bucks' biggest deficiencies last season was their lack of second-chance buckets, but they found an antidote this offseason in Kel'el Ware. Unlike Milwaukee's other centers, Ware was a prolific rebounder last season and finished 10th across the entire NBA in second-chance points. By comparison, the Bucks were 30th among teams in that category and clearly need a shot in the arm on the offensive glass.
Ware gives the Bucks an essential missing element
In recent seasons, the importance of rebounding has come back to the forefront of NBA team-building. During the league's recent parody era with 8 consecutive different champions, nearly every title has gone to a team with size advantages on the boards. Sadly, the Bucks were awful in that department last season.
Between Myles Turner occupying a constant starting spot and Giannis Antetokounmpo missing most of the season, the Bucks didn't have a ton of physicality in their frontcourt. Their defensive rebounding was actually solid thanks to the efforts of perimeter players, but those guys are just too small to make a huge impact on offensive rebounds.
Ware can be a breath of fresh air in the paint for the Bucks with his impressive athleticism and sheer size. Unlike Turner, he doesn't hang out on the perimeter constantly on offense (although he is capable of knocking down threes with impressive accuracy). Instead, Ware's tendency to hang around the rim for alley-oop finishes also sets him up perfectly to clean up misses for easy second-chance points.
Jericho Sims can be the key to unlocking Ware's putbacks
Of the centers on the Bucks' roster, Ware has the most natural talent for rebounding by far. His official measurements are 7'0" tall with a 7'4" wingspan. But he actually doesn't have the best motor and technique when it comes to rebounding, or converting second-chance points. That distinction goes to Jericho Sims.
Sims might "only" stand at 6'10" with a 7'3" wingspan but his constant energy on the boards has made him a formidable rebounder in the NBA. It's also made him a solid second-chance finisher. Last season, Sims converted on 67% of his putback opportunities.
By comparison, Ware hit just 50% of his own putback shots. Surely volume plays a role, as Ware attempted many more of these shots than Sims over the entire season. But playing and practicing alongside Sims should also give Ware more tips and tricks for finishing effectively after gathering offensive rebounds.
Whether it's subtle details with timing and positioning or just a matter of effort, Sims should push Ware to be even more dominant on the offensive glass. If the two can put together a respectable volume of putbacks for the Bucks next season, Milwaukee's offense will be much better off for it.
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