Milwaukee forgot how to play defense in the bubble

[mademan]

The Bucks stout defense has been unable to get stops since the bubble started.

Defensive rating pre-bubble: 101.9
Defensive rating in the bubble: 111.6 (112.7 in the game Giannis played)

How much of a concern is this for the Bucks? They were pretty bad in the scrimmages before too. I was pretty confident they'd make the finals before the bubble, but now i feel like the East is wide open.

[RoxSteady]

The "pre-bubble" rating is from a large sample size of games when the team had continuity, and the rating in the bubble is from a small sample size, the team has less continuity, and they are playing against better opponents.

[The_Hater]

Or Milwaukee might just be treating these as preseason type games because they already had the 1st seed locked up.

Let’s see what happens when the real games start.

[Suprasc1]

It's a one man show aka 2007 cavs

[Jabroni Lames]

Opposition coaches have had like 5 months off to do nothing but study the best of the NBA. Maybe they've found a few chinks in the armor of Bud's system.

[OkcSinceSGA]

The Bucks stout defense has been unable to get stops since the bubble started.

Defensive rating pre-bubble: 101.9
Defensive rating in the bubble: 111.6 (112.7 in the game Giannis played)

How much of a concern is this for the Bucks? They were pretty bad in the scrimmages before too. I was pretty confident they'd make the finals before the bubble, but now i feel like the East is wide open.

You don't sustain their level of defense all year (top 5 defense ever I believe) for it to be a mere fluke. Reality is the Lakers, Bucks and even the Clippers are sloppy and disinterested in this, and can't wait for the playoffs. Believe me when I say the Bucks defense is still a juggernaut and we will see it soon. Kudos for Toronto to actually playing the same way, and giving max effort (It's admirable and I wish my team was wired this way), but most of the top teams are kind of coasting and resting guys.

[Bergmaniac]

They have basically locked up the number 1 seed in the East since before the bubble started and it quickly became obvious the Lakers can't catch them for the overall best record, so they have no reason to play hard on D.

[mademan]

The idea that theyre not giving effort doesnt jive with what ive seen when watching. And Korver's comments

[OkcSinceSGA]

The idea that theyre not giving effort doesnt jive with what ive seen when watching. And Korver's comments

You can give SOME effort without giving all effort. Sure they may be overall still trying to W and playing moderately hard, but they aren't playing at their peak energy/effort obviously.

[otmshank1]

Most Bucks fan are concerned, some very concerned (me). There's a lack of effort, focus, and execution. Defense is one thing, and I don't have the numbers in front of me but they likely have one of the highest turnover rates in the bubble too. I'm hoping its because these games don't matter, but I've watched this team long enough to think it may be something more serious than that. Maybe it will get better once families are allowed to join the bubble?

[Texas Chuck]

The "pre-bubble" rating is from a large sample size of when the team had continuity, and the rating in the bubble is from a small sample size, the team has less continuity, and they are playing against better opponents.

This

Or Milwaukee might just be treating these as preseason type games because they already had the 1st seed locked up.

And this.


And look offenses are just way ahead of defenses across the bubble. Number of reasons for that -- players could do little but work on offense during the hiatus-especially shooting, these smaller venues are much better for shooters, role players feel none of the usual pressure of playing games on the road since they play in empty buildings.

Regardless of those numbers in the OP, no East team is looking forward to facing a defense anchored by Giannis and BroLo and lots of smart veteran defenders on the perimeter--there are no easy marks and when you beat your guy, the rim protection is as good as it gets.

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

The bucks don't have a solid defense, they just pack the paint.

They get lit up from distance.

[mademan]

The idea that theyre not giving effort doesnt jive with what ive seen when watching. And Korver's comments

You can give SOME effort without giving all effort. Sure they may be overall still trying to W and playing moderately hard, but they aren't playing at their peak energy/effort obviously.

If theyre not giving effort, its not a conscious decision.

"On all the teams I've been on, I've always found..this is when there's a turning point for a team. You either take this and you move towards better, you move towards good, or you can go the wrong way. I'm not going to say we are at that point but we are certainly close. I believe in the character of our group, I think we have a bunch of guys who want to do the right thing, I believe in our culture and I think we are going to figure it out."

This isnt a team thats out there screwing around cause they dont gaf. They clearly do. If theyre unable to get the energy to play hard, that should be just as concerning.

[OkcSinceSGA]

The "pre-bubble" rating is from a large sample size of when the team had continuity, and the rating in the bubble is from a small sample size, the team has less continuity, and they are playing against better opponents.

This

Or Milwaukee might just be treating these as preseason type games because they already had the 1st seed locked up.

And this.


And look offenses are just way ahead of defenses across the bubble. Number of reasons for that -- players could do little but work on offense during the hiatus-especially shooting, these smaller venues are much better for shooters, role players feel none of the usual pressure of playing games on the road since they play in empty buildings.

Regardless of those numbers in the OP, no East team is looking forward to facing a defense anchored by Giannis and BroLo and lots of smart veteran defenders on the perimeter--there are no easy marks and when you beat your guy, the rim protection is as good as it gets.

This is an important point in itself. Teams are GOING OFF in the bubble offensively, especially from 3. Look at the scores every night? Most teams aren't playing particularly good defense.

[ocelot17]

The 19-20 regular season ended five months. The bubble is a new season.

[Jabroni Lames]

The "pre-bubble" rating is from a large sample size of when the team had continuity, and the rating in the bubble is from a small sample size, the team has less continuity, and they are playing against better opponents.

This

Or Milwaukee might just be treating these as preseason type games because they already had the 1st seed locked up.

And this.


And look offenses are just way ahead of defenses across the bubble. Number of reasons for that -- players could do little but work on offense during the hiatus-especially shooting, these smaller venues are much better for shooters, role players feel none of the usual pressure of playing games on the road since they play in empty buildings.

Regardless of those numbers in the OP, no East team is looking forward to facing a defense anchored by Giannis and BroLo and lots of smart veteran defenders on the perimeter--there are no easy marks and when you beat your guy, the rim protection is as good as it gets.

This is an important point in itself. Teams are GOING OFF in the bubble offensively, especially from 3. Look at the scores every night? Most teams aren't playing particularly good defense.

Bud's system is designed to give up open 3-pt shots in very high volume. Something's gotta give.

[Catchall]

These "seeding" games mean nothing to the Bucks, who already have the #1 seed locked up. Defense is the first area where lack of effort will show up.

[KqWIN]

The bucks don't have a solid defense, they just pack the paint.

They get lit up from distance.

???

It's the most effective defense by a mile. Sorry, but a few games with no meaning doesn't throw that out the window. The paint is the most important area of the court, and the Bucks are ahead of the game in the way they defend it.

[bisme37]

I think it just takes a lot of repetitions to be the absolute machine the Bucks have been on defense this season. Everyone has to be on a string like they share the same brain. The machine is less well-oiled after the time off, but they'll get it together.

[NyKnicks1714]

Lakers struggles have allowed Milwaukee to go under the radar with theirs.