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Milwaukee Bucks: 3 ways to be even better in the second half

By Kenny Jilek

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 12: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw during the first half of a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 12, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 12: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw during the first half of a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 12, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks
Robin Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks, (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Offensive Rebounding

At only 9.6 offensive rebounds per game, the Milwaukee Bucks are 24th in the league in grabbing their own missed shots. This could be due to many different things. It could be a lack of effort, the product of smaller lineups, or just their offensive philosophy.

For the people thinking that they simply don’t get offensive rebounds because they shoot a high percentage and, therefore, don’t have as many possible offensive rebounds, they rank even worse in offensive rebounding percentage. They have gotten 20.9 percent of all possible offensive rebounds, which is an even worse league rank of 26th.

This lack of ability to get offensive rebounds could be a lack of effort, but that seems unlikely. This team runs the floor very well, and leads the league in pace. They also have strong coaching with Mike Budenholzer at the helm. Many times, Budenholzer has taken players out of the game for not giving enough effort. If he didn’t think that his team was crashing the boards hard enough, there would be changes made.

It could also be because of smaller lineups that have less height on the floor. The problem with that thought is that the Bucks very rarely play without a seven-footer on the floor. There is no lineup without a Lopez in it that has played more than sixteen totals minutes for the season. There are always big men in the game for the Bucks. Even lineups with Giannis at center give them enough rebounding ability.

The most likely reason that the Milwaukee Bucks have such a low offensive rebounding rate is because of their offensive system and philosophy. They are built around Giannis, putting shooters on the three-point line. When Giannis takes a shot in the paint, or when he kicks it out to a shooter, Giannis is the other player in the lane. Because of this, guys simply aren’t in position to grab the offensive rebound.

This will likely not improve much in the second half of the season, but there is one way they can get some more extra possessions through rebounding. If the guards cut more often to the lane, they will be closer when shots are taken. This is something that guys like Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, and Donte DiVincenzo already do very well, but if it becomes even more of a norm for everyone, then offensive rebounds will start to bounce their way more often.

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