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Jamal CollierESPN
The Milwaukee Bucks They have begun the season 9-1, equaling the best start to a franchise’s history.
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo The Bucks are the team with the best start of his career. They are the No. 1 defense in the NBA, and have assembled a team of players who can complement their star. Last year’s team resigned 14 of 17 players. This is the league’s highest retention rate.
Bucks forward: “I think it’s mostly having the same guys back. Guys really being in similar positions that they were last year.” Bobby Portis ESPN. “Guys know what is expected to win, know our formula, and just being familiar.”
“We already know each others’ games and it flows really well right now.”
The 2015-16 team was the last to win nine consecutive victories to begin the season. Golden State WarriorsThe NBA record for regular-season wins was set by, who later became the NBA’s most successful player with 73. These Bucks, like the Warriors, brought back the core of their championship team, but Golden State was fuelled by the satisfaction of winning the championship the year before. Milwaukee is motivated by failure, having lost in the second round against the Boston Celtics.
“It felt like our mission isn’t over,” Bucks guard Jrue Holiday said. “I feel like the door is closed behind us.”
Milwaukee has enjoyed a favorable early-season schedule so far. Seven of their first 10 games were at home. Their opponents have a combined winning percentage.368 (32-25) which is the lowest in the NBA.
However, there are nine Already have wins, Antetokounmpo’s dominating start and top-ranked defense make the Bucks poised to compete for a second title in three seasons. Milwaukee is also able to count on the return of key players, as its schedule becomes more difficult. Let’s take a look at three reasons why Milwaukee is hot:
Antetokounmpo has launched a second MVP campaign
Antetokounmpo broke a record when he scored his sixth consecutive 30-point game on the night the Bucks set a franchise-record with their seventh straight win. He recalled the last time this team began the season so hot as he sat down at his postgame press conference.
Antetokounmpo was awarded the MVP award for 2018-19. The Bucks opened the 2018-19 campaign 7-0. Antetokounmpo had already won 44 games in Milwaukee the year before, so this was Antetokounmpo’s first taste at winning at such an elite level.
Antetokounmpo said, “2018 felt different. It’s almost as if this year, it’s like “OK, we’re just trying to do our job.” It’s just going out and competing. Our job is to win basketball games. “We have a larger goal.
Despite their hot start in 2018-19, they didn’t win that season’s title. Instead, they lost to the Toronto Raptors In the Eastern Conference finals, Antetokounmpo lost four games in a row after taking a 2-0 series lead. Antetokounmpo continues to take the team’s winning streak early in the season with a positive attitude, even though he is still dominant.
Through his first Antetokounmpo’s average is 31.8 points, 12.2 boards and 5.3 assists. This makes him the only player in the NBA to average 30 ppg and 10 rebounds over nine games. Antetokounmpo is shooting 54%. He leads the NBA’s total points in paint and tied for the lead with fast-break points.
Antetokounmpo is also the only player who has completed this feat in 2019-20.
Antetokounmpo explained, “I believe it just comes from maturity.” “I know exactly what I can contribute to the table. “I know there will be good days and bad days. I’m trying to be as positive as I can and go out there. It doesn’t matter what it is, I’m okay with it.”
Bucks defense returns back to form
Milwaukee is the NBA’s top team for defensive efficiency in its third season under coach Mike BudenholzerHolding opponents to 101.9 points per 100 possessions. This is a return to form for the defense that slipped to 14th in defensive efficiency during their 2021-22 regular season. Most of this was played without a defensive anchor. Brook Lopez.
Since the 2013-14 season, the Bucks surrender the fewest points per stance against half-court offenses. Indiana PacersAccording to Second Spectrum, this is despite the Bucks keeping their preseason promise of reducing the number 3s they give up. After allowing their opponents to shoot a NBA record 40.6 3-pointers per contest last season, the Bucks have decided to limit teams to 31.6 per match in 2022-2223.
“I believe they’re one the most intelligent teams within the league in knowing when and where to rotate who and what.” Minnesota Timberwolves Last week, coach Chris Finch stated. “Last season, they would kind of look at your taking a lot more open 3s, and they’d bet certain men were not going to shoot, which obviously burned them during the playoffs. [Celtics forward] Grant Williams.
“But they do a great deal of making the right decisions for most people. They seem to be covering everyone more honestly this year.
Antetokounmpo is still the anchor of defense, while Lopez remains the second. Second Spectrum tracking has shown that Antetokounmpo is keeping opponents under 38.6% in contesting defender. This ranks among the top 10 in qualifying players. Lopez is keeping opponents under 40.6% in paint contesting defender. This is the sixth lowest rate of qualifying players.
Finch said that both of these men “just swallowed up the rim.” “Lopez is there permanently and Giannis comes in like a heat seeking missile.
There is always room to improve, as the schedule becomes more difficult
After a Bucks victory against the Thunder on Saturday, Lopez and Portis had a conversation in the locker room. Jevon Carter Not on, but focused Their record of success is not what they are capable of, but how the team thinks it can improve.
Portis said that they can’t get on a “high” right now because they haven’t done much.
The Bucks are 9-1, despite missing Khris Middleton And Pat ConnaughtonTwo of their top six rotation players have been able to win, even without Antetokounmpo who was unable to attend Saturday’s victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Milwaukee is the 18th best offensive rating in the NBA, thanks to Antetokounmpo and Holiday’s strong start to the season. It is also shooting only 34.1% from 3. Players believe that both numbers will rise as the season progresses, particularly after Connaughton and Middleton return to action.
Middleton, who was a three-time All-Star and averaged 20.1 points per games last season, worked last week with the Wisconsin Herd. Milwaukee wants him back to practice before he is able to return to the Bucks. Middleton has been absent since last season due to offseason wrist surgery. Budenholzer indicated that Connaughton, a player who averaged 9.9 and shot 39.5% 3 from last year (both career records), is close to making a comeback and will travel with them during their three-game road tour this week.
The Bucks plan to have both players back in November. This will help with the difficult schedule in the second half. According to NBA Advanced Stats, when Holiday, Middleton and Connaughton shared the floor last year, the Bucks outscored the opposition by 11.2 points per hundred possessions.
Milwaukee ends the month against Atlanta (two games), San Antonio, San Antonio, Portland, Chicago and Dallas.
“Right now, [our record] Portis stated, “Really doesn’t mean anything.” “It’s early, the guys are still trying their chemistry and finding their stride on other teams. Although we are still trying to get along, we are off to a great start.