Should Milwaukee Bucks fans be concerned?
Many voiced their opinion(s) once the Milwaukee Bucks traded away Brandon Knight earlier this month. On one hand, fans saw the vast potential the move had for the future of the team. On the other hand, fans were disappointed to see Milwaukee’s best scorer shipped off and essentially take a step back on a season the city was getting excited about.
Since Knight was traded away, the Bucks are 2-4 and losers of four of their last five.
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What is even more discouraging is who Milwaukee has their wins against. They have managed to beat only the Nuggets and 76ers in their past six games, while putting up sloppy performances against the Hawks, Bulls, Lakers, and Jazz.
There are many factors contributing to the slow second half start.
Milwaukee’s offense looks lost without Knight. Their floor spacing and offensive production are suffering because they lack pure scorers. They have averaged just 81.2 points in their four losses, including a 71-point performance against the Bulls this past Monday.
Many hoped their turnover problems would at least be diminished with Knight gone, but it is still a big reason they are losing games. The Bucks have recorded games of 22, 23, and 24 turnovers in this six game stretch, including an ugly 16 turnovers in the first half of their game against the Hawks.
With Milwaukee trying to re-establish an offensive identity and struggling with having so many empty offensive possessions, it leads us to a question on many people’s minds.
Should Bucks fans be concerned?
Feb 27, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Wesley Johnson (11) dunks against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
It’s easy to get ahead of ourselves in these kinds of situations as sports fans. We have been getting a glimpse of what a winning NBA team with a bright future looks like. Frankly, we’ve been a bit spoiled this year. I’m here to help try and regain perspective for anyone that may have lost it.
If you were someone who was disappointed to see Knight go because of the impact it would have on the rest of this season, then yes, you should probably be concerned in terms of the rest of this season.
It was no secret this team downgraded for the time being after receiving Michael Carter-Williams, Tyler Ennis, and Miles Plumlee for Brandon Knight. Concerns of offensive production, offensive flow, team chemistry, and many more surfaced after the trade, and rightfully so.
We heard about MCW’s shooting struggles, Ennis’ production and minutes being non existent, and Plumlee just being a throw in piece. It’s going to take time with these players. Patience is going to need to be a virtue. Any potential upsets the Bucks were going to make this postseason just got much more difficult.
If you envisioned Milwaukee doing big things after this trade, then yes, you should be concerned. You probably should have been concerned before this 2-4 start.
Now if you saw the Knight trade as the Bucks franchise trying to establish a consistent, contending NBA team for years to come with more future pieces, then relax.
All of the concerns brought up regarding these new players are every bit legitimate. And yet all you hear with them are their problems. At least for me, I have not heard about many solutions for these guys.
Is it at all possible that MCW could eventually get in an offensive rhythm, improve his jump shot under a coach who was just as bad shooting the ball early in his career, and help lead this team? Can we try and remember he is still only 23 years old and is in his second NBA season?
Is it at all possible that rookie guard Tyler Ennis, who played no minutes on a guard heavy Phoenix Suns team, just needs actual on court experience to help develop his game?
You should be concerned if you have the Bucks making noise late into the playoffs. I’m not saying it won’t happen nor that I don’t want it to happen, but this team is not playing anywhere near the level of beating a top Eastern Conference team in a seven game series.
If you understand where this team is right now, the direction they want to go, and the time necessary to get there, then there is no need for concern. This team will be fine.