Comparing current Bucks' bench to 2021 championship bench
By Rudy LB
Comparing the Bucks guard and wings
DJ Augustin/Jeff Teague and Sam Merrill (2021) vs Delon Wright and Andre Jackson Jr. (2024)
Advantage: This current group.
Delon Wright should really be able to do a more than capable job of playing backup point guard for this team. I might even argue he’ll have a clear, defined role that he should excel in. He is a huge upgrade over Cam Payne or Jevon Carter. And while Payne and Carter did capable jobs in that back-up role, Wright could excel.
In Wright’s defense, playing for two teams last season certainly did not help give him any sense of continuity. Still, the defensive-minded-right-handed guard should really be able to exceed his career averages of seven points and three assists over 19 minutes per game of play.
Well, it compares favorably if everyone stays healthy. That is very important here. Unlike the 2021 team, the Bucks have very clear starters and very clear bench pieces.
The midseason addition of PJ Tucker to the 2021 team was also something that cannot be understated (and won’t happen again with Patrick Beverley, who now plays in Europe).
Forbes/Connaughton (2021) vs Green/Connaughton (2024)
Advantage: 2021 Bucks.
Looking back at that championship team's bench, another thing that stands out is both the youth and the toughness of that bench.
Forbes was a tough, complete sharpshooter. What this 2024-2025 bench lacks that the 2021 team had was outside shooting. Forbes and Connaughton were very dependable 3-point shooters that season. They were able to hit key shots to give the team a spark. Does this current bench have that? Probably not. Prince and Wright are simply not known as 3-point specialists.
Does that mean that the role of AJ Green as a 3-point specialist becomes even more critical? One would have to think that could be a big storyline going into the season.