Milwaukee Bucks Midseason Performance Grades: Wings

Further Down the Milwaukee Bucks Bench

Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Thanasis Antetokounmpo being on this team is a big reason why Giannis is still in Milwaukee, and that’s about all you need to know.

He’s also one of the most fun garbage-time players in the league. It’s always exciting to see him check-in and he’s usually good for a big dunk or an athletic block. This year, he is 11th on the team in minutes played, but his 16 dunks are second on the team. Thanasis minutes are fun minutes.

His value has always been on the defensive end and while his offense has always struggled, he’s had a positive defensive box plus-minus every season with the Bucks, including this season. His role in the playoffs as the end of quarter defensive specialist was a big hit, and hopefully, we all get to see him take on that role again when the playoffs roll around.

Overall Season Grade: F, but not for Fail. F is for Fun

Rodney Hood

So far, Rodney Hood has been a low-risk, potentially high reward signing that just hasn’t panned out. He’s a career 10.7 points per game scorer that’s had great success as a three-point shooter and sparkplug off the bench. But after an achilles injury in the 2019-20 season, he hasn’t been the same. Last year, he shot just 30.1 percent from three, and it hasn’t gotten much better this year at 32 percent.

Part of the problem is he’s gone away from what some of his game is, getting to good midrange looks in his spots on the floor. In his career, 44 percent of his field goal attempts have been threes, but this year that number is 63.6 percent. He’s not having success from out there, but continues to let it fly in classic Bucks fashion, however, maybe some rhythm could come from getting to midrange and hitting some closer jumpers.

Without his shooting, it’s hard to justify much court time for the 8th year small forward. He doesn’t offer a lot on the defensive end, and he won’t do much to create shots for teammates either. The one silver lining of his season is that he hasn’t turned the ball over much. In 34 games, he’s given it away just seven times. He’s also hit 13 of his 14 free throw attempts, so that’s good for him.

Other than those small victories, Hood just has not returned to the level of play he was at two years ago that Milwaukee Bucks were hoping for.

Overall Season Grade: D+

So what do you think of these grades for the Milwaukee Bucks wings? Would you change any? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @DairylandXpress.