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Milwaukee Bucks: All signs point to bombing threes

By Brian Sampson

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Head Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks calls a play during the second half of a game against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on February 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Head Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks calls a play during the second half of a game against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on February 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The NBA has adopted the three-point line as the most dangerous weapon in the game. It appears the Milwaukee Bucks finally have as well.

There’s no doubt about it. The NBA has completely turned into a game of outside shooting and spreading the floor. Unfortunately, the Milwaukee Bucks have been fighting the trend and pushing for an offense that’s stuck in the early 2000’s.

The Bucks ranked 25th in the NBA last season with just 24.7 three-point attempts per game. To provide some context, the Houston Rockets were first in the league with 42.3 attempts. Even though the Rockets were an anomaly, Milwaukee was still well below other teams who shot the three-ball at a reasonable pace.

The bad news is the Bucks’ ranking isn’t anything new. They typically have sat in the bottom five of the NBA in three-point attempts. That includes a horrendous 15.6 per game in the 2015-16 season.

Before we go too much further, there is one thing that’s extremely important to point out. Shooting threes doesn’t make an offense good, but it is an indicator of a good offense. In other words, teams shouldn’t force up three after three because it’s an efficient shot. Instead, they should rely on ball-movement, penetration and their sets to create those open shots from the perimeter.

With that being said, it appears Mike Budenholzer is opening the door to create an offense that will look to get up more shots from behind the arc. Every single move general manager Jon Horst has made since hiring Budenholzer has pointed in that direction.

First, they drafted Donte DiVincenzo in the first round of the NBA Draft. Even though there were other talented players on the board, the team believes DiVincenzo possesses the necessary outside shooting ability to help space the floor. DiVincenzo was a career 37.8 percent three-point shooter at Villanova, including 40.1 percent during his final year.

Next, they (unofficially) signed Ersan Ilyasova to a (questionable at best) contract as soon as free agency began. Ilyasova has played with the Bucks before and is also an outside shooter. Ilyasova is a career 36.6 percent outside shooter and will give the Bucks a floor-spacer at the 4 and an option to play small at the 5.

Next, they (unofficially) signed Brook Lopez. Lopez figures to become the teams starting center and has developed an outside shot in recent seasons. After never taking more than 14 threes during his first eight years in the league, Lopez has attempted at least 325 in each of the past two years. Even though he’s only connecting at a 34.5 percent clip, it’s still good enough to garner the respect of opposing teams.

Finally, they renounced their rights to Jabari Parker. Although there are many debates to be had about this, Parker was not an established three-point shooter. Sure, he did shoot 38.3 percent from downtown last year, but his game is certainly not predicated on the outside shot.

All of these moves have surrounded Giannis Antetokounmpo with outside weapons and should provide him with plenty of space to operate. It’s what armchair experts have been saying for years and it appears as if it’s finally happening.

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