Bucks reason No. 2: Improved depth
Last year, the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship team looked to Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton as their reliable bench options in the playoffs. So far this season, the champs have more depth at multiple positions, with the potential to gain even more at the trade deadline.
The offseason acquisition of Grayson Allen has paid dividends, as he has slotted into the starting lineup perfectly as largely a spot-up shooter. Averaging 12.8 points per game in almost 30 minutes a night, Allen is establishing himself as the perfect complementary offensive piece to the presence of Antetokounmpo.
Most teams are forced to double Giannis, making it crucial to have reputable shooters on the floor, as someone will always be open on the perimeter in those situations. Both Allen and Pat Connaughton have benefitted from Antetokounmpo’s passing ability this year, as they are shooting 40.8 percent and 40.7 percent from beyond the arc, respectively. This is not a small sample size either, as they combine to shoot over 13 threes per contest.
They’ve recently picked up both DeMarcus Cousins and Wesley Matthews to add to their depth even more, as they’re both capable of providing valuable minutes to an NBA roster. Cousins has slotted in as the starting center in the absence of Lopez but provides an actual backup center option if Milwaukee needs one.
In years past, coach Mike Budenholzer has had to rely on Giannis to be the backup center, which is frankly incredibly effective lineups, but it’s much more beneficial to have a reputable traditional option to replace Lopez in the lineup.
Additionally, the continued development of Bobby Portis and the reacquisition of George Hill have provided more stability to the team on both ends of the floor, as they are solid veterans on both ends of the floor.
The Milwaukee Bucks can run a ten-man rotation and have no weaknesses, which is something that not many teams can say.