As the new NBA season begins, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves grappling with challenges that they surely did not anticipate following a promising start. Their opening win against the Philadelphia 76ers, which came despite the absence of key players like Joel Embiid and Paul George from the Sixers' roster, was seen as a strong start. However, subsequent performances have painted a troubling picture for the Bucks.
Lillard Shines, Then Fades
Damian Lillard, one of the Bucks’ star acquisitions, showcased his scoring prowess by putting up 30 points in the season opener, including a remarkable six three-pointers from 12 attempts. His early performance created expectations for a season marked by offensive brilliance. Yet, following this initial outburst, Lillard's shooting accuracy from beyond the arc declined, as he managed just 6 successful three-pointers out of 33 attempts in subsequent games.
In a recent clash with the Memphis Grizzlies, Lillard's struggles were stark. He scored only four points, managing to hit just 1 of his 12 attempts from the field. These numbers indicate a worrying trend for a player of Lillard's caliber, whose consistency from long range is pivotal to the Bucks' offensive strategies. The team, collectively, isn't faring much better with a three-point success rate hovering at a modest 30.6%.
Struggles on Both Ends
Milwaukee’s woes aren't confined to offense. Defensively, the Bucks find themselves ranked among the bottom 10 teams in the league, a statistic that underscores the systemic issues Coach Doc Rivers aims to tackle. Since taking over the coaching reins from Adrian Griffin last season, Rivers has been candid about the challenges. Following a 122-99 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies, he remarked, "It's discipline, period. At some point there has to be consequences for it. Just too many times they ran behind us today. Over and over again. I mean, bigs running behind us for lobs. That just can't happen.”
This defensive vulnerability is compounded by an offense that isn't clicking. Currently, the Bucks rank 26th in assists per game, a statistic that speaks to a lack of cohesion and ball movement necessary to create open shots and maintain offensive rhythm. Despite recording 20 assists in the defeat against the Grizzlies, the effectiveness remains elusive.
The Pressure is On
The Bucks are now on a concerning four-game losing streak, which has fans and analysts questioning the team's direction and capability under Rivers, whose track record with the team stands at a subpar 20-27. As Rivers himself highlighted, the responsibility lies not just with player execution but also with the coaching staff's ability to effectively communicate and instill the fundamentals needed to secure victories. "It's not like we don't work on that every day, but we are not working on it well enough, because if we were they wouldn't be doing it. Again, I keep going back to me. There's something they're not hearing that I'm telling them, and I gotta do a better job," Rivers explained.
The pressure is palpably mounting for the Milwaukee Bucks. With high expectations pegged on their stars and coaching staff, the team's current trajectory signals an urgent need for reflection and adjustment. Whether the tide can be turned remains to be seen, but the subsequent games will certainly test the resolve and adaptability of both the players and the coaching squad. As the season continues, the Bucks must find answers to their glaring issues if they wish to reposition themselves as contenders rather than underperformers.