The Milwaukee Bucks are Reconstructing Their Bench and Loading up for a Second Consecutive NBA Title Run

The Milwaukee Bucks are back for another NBA title run, and that will be thanks in no small part to their bench. Last year, the Bucks’ bench was among the best in the league. It was full of solid role players, but sometimes their defense was suspect, and their role players were not able to produce consistently enough to truly support the starters.

The Milwaukee Bucks are set to be one of the top teams in the NBA this year. They are going to have a young and talented core, and have added several key pieces in free agency. That’s all great, but what they need is a dominant big man to help anchor the team in the post. The Bucks had been searching for a big man for several years now, and they finally have one in Kentucky Wildcat Skal Labissiere.

The Milwaukee Bucks are on the verge of rebuilding their roster, and they’re doing it in a very specific way. The Bucks have assembled a cast of players that, when they form a winning team, will allow the Bucks to play the “Golden Age of Basketball” that some observers have envisioned. These players are not quite superstars, nor are they all veterans that are past their prime. Instead, they are all players who could contribute to the Bucks winning a title.. Read more about milwaukee bucks roster 2020-21 and let us know what you think.

The Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA title in 50 years, rallying from a 2-0 hole to defeat the Phoenix Suns in four consecutive games in the 2021 NBA Finals.

The Finals MVP is still in high spirits. The other two-thirds of Milwaukee’s great three recently created history by earning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

During the Bucks’ championship run, though, Giannis Anteotkounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton carried much too much of the burden. As the playoffs progressed, Milwaukee used a seven-man rotation.

GM Jon Horst, on the other hand, has been busy rebuilding the Bucks’ bench in the early stages of free agency as the team tries to win back-to-back NBA championships.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA championship run was carried by Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and Holiday.

Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates during the Milwaukee Bucks 2021 NBA Championship Victory Parade

Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates during the Milwaukee Bucks 2021 NBA Championship Victory Parade During the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 NBA Championship Victory Parade, Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates | Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Antetokoumpo was named NBA Finals MVP after averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks in nearly 40 minutes per game. Middleton scored 24 points per game in more minutes (42.1) than Antetokounmpo. Holiday added 16.7 points, 9.3 assists, and 2.2 steals in 41.7 minutes a game.

In the finals, Milwaukee’s three best players combined for 68 percent of the Bucks’ points.

As the club progressed farther into the playoffs, Pat Connaughton took over as the sixth man. Against the Suns, he played precisely 30 minutes each game off the bench. Bobby Portis was the only Bucks bench player to receive substantial playing time in the finals, averaging 16 minutes per game. In their 46 minutes together, the two combined for 17.5 points per game.

Around Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee is rebuilding its bench, adding more shooting and depth.

According to Spotrac, the Bucks re-signed Portis to a two-year, $9 million deal. George Hill is also returning to the Cream City after spending much of last season in anonymity. Hill was part of the Milwaukee deal that went to New Orleans in exchange for Holiday, was rerouted to Oklahoma City, and then wound up in Philadelphia as part of the 76ers’ playoff run. Hill hit around 39% from three-point range throughout his adventure in 2021, but with the Bucks in 2019-20, he topped the NBA in three-point percentage. Milwaukee’s system and most of its people are familiar to the 13-year veteran.

Horst made a relatively significant trade as well, acquiring guard Grayson Allen from Memphis. Last year with the Grizzlies, Allen averaged career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, assists, and steals while shooting 39.1 percent from deep on 5.5 attempts per game, also a career-high.

Rodney Hood, a veteran guard, was also signed to a one-year contract by the Bucks. Hood, who had his Achilles tendon injured last season, appeared in 55 games between Toronto and Portland. With career splits of 42.2/36.7/83.9, the Duke graduate has postseason experience at several locations.

Milwaukee also took a chance by signing Semi Ojeleye, a former Boston Celtics forward, on a one-year contract.

If the Bucks want to win a second straight NBA championship, they will need to rebuild their bench.

After tearing a tendon in his left foot during the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Donte DiVincenzo, Milwaukee’s starting shooting guard last season, returns. In 2021-22, he should be back as the Bucks’ starting two-guard.

Connaughton is now in a more comfortable bench position. Hill can play at either guard position, while Portis will handle the bulk of the relieving minutes up front.

Hood will step in as a spot-starting winger, with Ojeleye serving as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency 10th man with agility, enthusiasm, and defensive flexibility.

Horst has put together a squad that can go as deep as ten players if necessary, headed by Antetokounmpo, one of the greatest players in the world. That combination should be more than capable of winning the NBA championship for the second time in a row.

Basketball-Reference.com provided all statistics.

RELATED: Draymond Green, Khris Middleton, and the Most Valuable Second-Round NBA Draft Picks for Winning Championships

The Milwaukee Bucks have added depth to their bench, resigning sharpshooter Sterling Brown to a two-year, $2.4 million contract, while picking up two-way forward Tony Snell from the Chicago Bulls for the veteran’s minimum. While the Bucks were able to retain their core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Eric Bledsoe last season, they have continued to add to their depth in hopes of making a strong run at a second consecutive NBA title.. Read more about bucks news and let us know what you think.

This article broadly covered the following related topics:

  • monta ellis bucks contract
  • why did golden state trade monta ellis
  • bucks examiner news
  • buckinghamshire newspapers
  • bucks free

Related articles

Comments

Share article

Latest articles

Newsletter

Subscribe to stay updated.