In what has been a roller coaster ride of a season, the Milwaukee Bucks have used various different starting lineups.
Most recently, Doc Rivers has landed on a lineup involving Damian Lillard, Taurean Prince, Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. It's far from a traditional lineup, as Taurean Prince, naturally a small forward, is playing the two guard, while Kyle Kuzma, who has been a power forward for most of his NBA career, is playing the three.
With a 4-1 record when utilizing that lineup, it's hard to argue with the results. As unconventional as it might be, this lineup has produced results. However, given that the Bucks have had to claw their way back into several of these games after falling into early holes, perhaps a starting lineup change could help them start faster and not have to climb out of a deficit as often.
If so, there is one more traditional lineup the Milwaukee Bucks should look into utilizing.
AJ Green with the Bucks starters has worked out well
When the Bucks roll out a Lillard, Green, Kuzma, Antetokounmpo and Lopez lineup, they are posting a net rating of 43.8, a defensive rating of 81.3 and an offensive rating of 125. Among their lineups to log at least 10 minutes following the All-Star break, this particular lineup combination boasts the highest numbers in all of those categories by far. This five-man group gets results.
For reference, the typical starting five has a net rating of 1.7, which ranks fourth among their lineups after the break, a defensive rating of 109.9, ranking third, and an offensive rating of 111.6, coming in at second among their lineups. These are solid numbers, and it's hard to argue with the results with a 4-1 record after the break.
Some will say if it's not broke, don't fix it. That's justifiable, but the primary concern with this lineup is how they will hold up defensively against guards, something that Doc Rivers alluded to prior to a win over the Denver Nuggets this week. With Kuzma at the three, Prince has to take on the responsibility of guarding smaller and faster players. Another guard, like Green, may be more well-suited to do so.
For the moment, things will likely stay as they are. The starting lineup only has 51 minutes total, while the Green lineup has 15. Doc Rivers will likely want a bigger sample size, but as he's shown by moving Gary Trent Jr. and eventually Andre Jackson Jr. out of the starting lineup, the coach can change his mind at any given moment.
If the lineup with the starters and AJ Green continues thriving, a change could be in order, especially as the NBA Playoffs get closer.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.