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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
Donte DiVincenzo Milwaukee Bucks, (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Disruptive Defense

Finding an issue with the Milwaukee Bucks defense this year may be nitpicking. They are the best interior defensive team, with the Lopez brothers and Giannis patrolling the middle and stifling shots close to the rim. Brook Lopez is leading the league in contested shots per game, ahead of known rim protectors Rudy Gobert, Jarrett Allen, and Hassan Whiteside.

Because the Bucks have the luxury of having such great defenders in the back-end of their defense, their guards and wing players should be able to take more chances on steals. This is where they need to improve.

The Milwaukee Bucks are currently 20th in steals per game, and rank 24th in opponent turnover percentage. With the rim protectors they have that can instantly erase mistakes on the perimeter, those should be a lot higher. Guys like Wesley Matthews, George Hill, Sterling Brown, and Pat Connaughton can all be taking more chances at steals to create some free baskets.

None of these guys are bad defenders. Matthews routinely guards the best offensive player on the opposing team, Hill has shown the ability to stay in front of any point guard in the league, and Brown has shown flashes of the ability to be a tenacious defender.

These guys should take a cue from Donte Divincenzo who is never-ceasing to try to get his hands in passing lanes and being aggressive on crossovers. This has obviously gotten him in trouble at times, but has also led to him leading the team with 1.5 steals per game, also ranking him 15th in the NBA.

Next. Handing out Mid-Season Awards. dark

Obviously, guys can’t just adopt Divincenzo’s defensive instincts, but if they’re coached to be less conservative on the perimeter, it could lead to some extra steals and dunks on the other end.

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