Sir Charles in Charge
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Why the Milwaukee Bucks can’t yet compete in the East

By Dylan Huberman

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 111-100. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 111-100. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks have three starters scoring around 20 points per game, yet they sit at the 8th seed in the lowly Eastern Conference

Giannis Antetokounmpo is undoubtedly one of the NBA’s finest superstars. Khris Middleton is dropping over 20 points per game as the two-guard. Eric Bledsoe, who the franchise practically stole from the Phoenix Suns after a public fallout, has delivered 17.5 points per contest.

However, the Milwaukee Bucks sit at just 8th in the Eastern Conference, at 24-22, destined for a trip to Boston, Toronto or Cleveland in the first round of the postseason. Management obviously felt that the team was underperforming, so the ousted head coach Jason Kidd to the dismay of Antetokounmpo.

Firing Kidd will not change all that much for this franchise, as he was not the problem. The biggest problem of them all is constantly overlooked and the team has done absolutely nothing to fix it.

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That huge problem is rebounding. The Greek Freak leads the team with 10.1 boards per game, as a small forward. John Henson brings in 6.7 boards per game himself, and Middleton collects 5.3 rebounds a game as a stretch three.

Doesn’t seem too bad right?

Nobody else on that team averages more than five rebounds per contest. The crazy thing is that no centers were mentioned in the paragraph above. Thon Maker, who played very well last season, has been a no-show thus far in 2017-18.

Greg Monroe was sent back in the Bledsoe deal early on this season. Jabari Parker is still rehabbing his torn ACL and forces Antetokounmpo to often play at the four rather than the three.

Milwaukee desperately misses not only Parker but also a center that can control the paint. There are too many possessions where the Bucks get up a single shot, miss, and then fall back on defense. They need to generate second-chance opportunities via offensive rebounds. It’s mind boggling that they have not aggressively pursued a center prior to the all-star break.

There are plenty of big men on the block. DeAndre Jordan and Tristan Thompson are two of many names that are reportedly being shopped. Why not go after one of those two guys?

If they decide not to pursue a big man prior to the deadline, it would be perplexing to say the least. This team has all the tools except for a big man. Maybe they could call up Phoenix and inquire about Alex Len, who plays sparingly behind Tyson Chandler. Golden State could be willing to part ways with JaVale McGee. Maybe Denver could deal one of their numerous big men for a forward.

Must Read: NBA Trade Rumors: Should the Milwaukee Bucks target Hassan Whiteside?

There are options that would largely benefit this team. Milwaukee has all of the tools other than a rebounding asset not named Antetokounmpo. Until they find themselves one, they simply will not be competing for a championship. Now that they’ve also made a questionable decision in firing Jason Kidd, they are in the market for a new bench boss as well.

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