While there was plenty of hype and anticipation entering the 2024-25 season, the Milwaukee Bucks have come out of the gates flat.
They are now just 1-4 on the season, having lost four straight. To dump salt in the wound, not only are the Bucks losing these games, but they're losing them in ugly ways. Whether it's through poor nights shooting the basketball or younger, more athletic players getting whatever they want and leaving the Milwaukee Bucks' aging defenders in the dust, this team clearly has issues.
With that said, before the team attempts to turn the page in November, let us analyze five Bucks who saw their individual stock dip dramatically in this brutal five-game stretch in October.
Delon Wright
When he was first signed, Delon Wright was viewed as a big pickup for the Milwaukee Bucks. Due to the defensive reputation he's built up across his NBA career, the hope was that Wright could provide reliable defense in the backcourt. A respectable passer and outside shooter as well, many thought Wright was incredibly well-suited to be Damian Lillard's backup at the Bucks' point guard spot.
In five games, Wright's performance has been poor. He's averaging just three points, 1.2 assists and 0.6 rebounds per game. Yet, it's his defensive numbers that are turning heads, as opposing players are currently shooting 61.5 percent (16-of-26) with Wright as the primary defender, which is the worst on this entire Milwaukee Bucks team. This is not the production the Bucks wanted.
Pat Connaughton
After a decent preseason, many thought Pat Connaughton could be ready to turn back the clock and help the Milwaukee Bucks once again. Wrong. In 17.2 minutes per game, he's mustering up averages of 4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 29.6 percent from the floor and 26.3 percent from 3-point land. Defensively, opposing players are oftentimes hunting him.
The Milwaukee Bucks were helpless against athletic teams in this stretch, and Connaughton is one of the primary reasons why. Once a Dunk Contest contestant, Connaughton no longer has the speed or athleticism needed to stick with younger players as a defender, practically giving them a red carpet to the rim when he defends. It might be time to lessen his minutes dramatically.
Bobby Portis
Plenty of what was said about Pat Connaughton can be regurgitated when discussing Bobby Portis. Once a helpful role player on a championship team, Portis' production has fallen off a cliff to begin the season, averaging 11.2 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 28.6 percent from downtown. After a top-three finish in last year's Sixth Man race, Portis has struggled to make his mark.
Portis is running into the same problem as Connaughton against these younger teams; he can't keep up with players who possess any speed or athleticism. That's not necessarily a new issue, as he has never been reliable in that regard, but when he's also struggling to score and shoot the ball while also failing to make an impact on the glass, it will be amplified.
Doc Rivers
The struggles of Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis are under a microscope because of Doc Rivers, who keeps putting them in dreadful situations. Against Memphis, not only did he have these two on the court at the same time, but he paired them with Brook Lopez. That's an unforgivable decision to make when playing a team that athletic; the Grizzlies flat-out feasted on this trio defensively.
Rivers has made no shortage of head-scratching calls this season, mainly with his rotations. It seems that everyone but him understands that this team needs more youth and athleticism in the mix over players like Connaughton and Portis. To his credit, Rivers has started giving Andre Jackson Jr. time in spurts, but he remains far from committed The coach needs to adapt to the modern NBA.
MarJon Beauchamp
MarJon Beauchamp was supposed to be the young, athletic player consistently alluded to during this article and many others like it. After using a first-round pick on him in 2022, there were high hopes for the wing, but the Milwaukee Bucks let it be known how they feel about him after declining his option for next season, allowing him to become a free agent once this season ends.
Beauchamp finds himself in a spot no young player wants to be in. With his option declined and his role in the rotation non-existent, it's going to be hard for him to showcase why he deserves to be on an NBA team moving forward. It's a shame because he has all of the physical tools to help this team with its lack of athleticism and speed, but he's never been able to display it consistently.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.