Despite improvements on the defensive end under coach Doc Rivers, the Milwaukee Bucks have been struggling with offensive inconsistencies. Since Rivers took over on January 29th, the team has faced a challenging schedule and has only managed a 14-13 record, in comparison to the 14 losses they had under the previous coach in 43 games. The team’s offensive rating has dropped significantly since Rivers’ arrival, falling from second in the league to 19th.
Rivers has been trying to run the offense through Damian Lillard, hoping to capitalize on his gravitational pull on defenses to create opportunities for himself and teammates. However, Lillard is having one of the worst scoring seasons of his career, with decreased shooting percentages. Despite being the second option on the team, Lillard has maintained a high usage percentage, ranking 27th in the NBA. The team emphasizes the importance of running more pick-and-rolls with Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team’s MVP.
While Lillard plays a significant role in the offensive struggles, other players like Khris Middleton have also underperformed during Rivers’ tenure. Middleton has missed games and has not been able to consistently create shots. Bobby Portis has shown flashes of potential but has been inconsistent in his scoring output, making it difficult for the team to rely on him. The Bucks’ inability to mesh their stars on the court has contributed to their offensive inconsistencies throughout the season.
Milwaukee’s big three, including Lillard, Antetokounmpo, and Middleton, are still working on playing off each other instead of as individuals. This has led to instances of hero ball, where the players take turns trying to score individually instead of playing as a cohesive team. In critical moments, such as their fourth-quarter collapse against the Los Angeles Lakers, the team has struggled to move the ball effectively, leading to a lack of scoring opportunities. Time is running out for the Bucks to figure out their offensive struggles, as they have a limited number of games left in the regular season.
With Lillard out against the Atlanta Hawks, the big three will have fewer chances to play together and improve their chemistry on the court. As the regular season winds down, the Bucks may have to rely on improvisation in the postseason if they cannot find solutions to their offensive inconsistencies. This could potentially mean wasting a year of Antetokounmpo’s prime if they are unable to make significant improvements. Without quick adjustments, the team’s offensive struggles are likely to continue into the postseason, highlighting the need for continued work and effort to find success.
