Milwaukee Bucks: Will they let it fly even more this season?

The Milwaukee Bucks went through a major culture and philosophy change under Mike Budenholzer last season. Will the trend continue this year?

The honor of highest-scoring offense in the NBA belonged to the Milwaukee Bucks last season at 118.1 points per game. This was much to the credit of head coach, Mike Budenholzer’s philosophy of “Let it Fly”. The Bucks shot the second most threes in the league last season at 38.2 per game, following only the analytics-driven Houston Rockets who shot an astounding 45.4 threes per game. They also averaged the second-most threes made at 13.5 per game.

Everyone, up and down the roster, shot from behind the arc. Guards, forwards, centers, you name it, they shot it. Actually, breaking all previous positional norms, Brook Lopez, a seven-foot-tall center, had the most attempts per game at 6.3, followed closely by Khris Middleton at 6.2.

Even guys like John Henson were shooting threes last season before he got traded. Budenholzer’s confidence in every guy on his roster to shoot from outside is extraordinary, and it could mean some new and fun scenes this season.

Guys like Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Robin Lopez have never been known as outside shooters, but they have been getting their shots up this preseason, combining for 15 total attempts so far. How much that will continue in the regular season will be an interesting early-season storyline to watch. One thing I know is that I’d love to see more of Robin’s tea celebration.

In addition to some new guys that could transform into three-point shooters in their first season with the Milwaukee Bucks, some proven shooters were acquired as well. Kyle Korver and Wesley Matthews have both had long careers in the NBA as long-distance snipers. Korver should be on everyone’s all-time Mount Rushmore of shooting, along with Ray Allen, Steph Curry, and Reggie Miller. He has a high basketball IQ and moves around screens to open spots extremely well. Give him an inch of space and he’ll make you regret it.

Matthews isn’t quite as high in the greatest shooters ever discussion, but his abilities behind the arc are nothing to sneeze at. A career 38.2% three point shooter, he can hurt opposing defenses in a variety of ways. He can pull up off the dribble, run off of screens, or catch-and-shoot off of a kick out from the middle. He also has the threat of taking it to the rim, so opposing defenders can’t fly out at him quite as hard as they can on Korver.

The Bucks did lose a few shooters in the offseason, however, most notably Malcolm Brogdon. He shot over 40% from beyond the arc last year and was always steady and consistent. They also lost Nikola Mirotic. Yes, he was extremely disappointing, especially in the playoffs, but he attempted 6.2 threes per game in the regular season and we’re just discussing taking threes today, not making them.

One guy that should get rotation minutes this year that is showing no bashfulness from deep is Donte Divincenzo. I will treat Divincenzo like new rookie draftee, because he only played in 27 games for the Milwaukee Bucks last season, and we didn’t get a rookie this summer. Through four preseason games, he’s leading the Bucks in three point attempts with 19, ahead of second-place Dragan Bender, at 13, by a sizable margin. I’m going to stray from the point for just a second here to say that Divincenzo’s game as a whole has looked incredibly smooth this preseason, including his shooting motion, and I can’t wait to see what he does with a full season.

Speaking of smooth, Giannis Antetokounmpo looks like he just might have a jumper. Just try to watch the first pull up three in this clip against the Mavs just once and not be excited enough to watch another 34 times like I did.

It’s quicker, it’s more compact, it’s just smoother. There is no guarantee that Giannis will be a reliable three-point shooter this season, but he is showing early signs that this could finally be what we, and every basketball analyst, have all been waiting for: The Greek Freak with a jump shot. If that happens, the Milwaukee Bucks will reach even higher heights in their new “Let it Fly” era with a superstar that doesn’t just create shooting opportunities for teammates but makes his own as well.

All things considered, from non-shooters being transformed, to sharpshooting acquisitions, to new smooth releases, this Milwaukee Bucks team could see another jump in three point attempts. It will not be anywhere near as dramatic, but they could, realistically, break the 40 attempts per game threshold while staying efficient. There will be no shortage of long-range splashes this season, so get your rain coats, umbrellas, and three-point celebrations ready, because it’s going to be a fun Milwaukee Bucks season.