Milwaukee Bucks: 5 Takeaways From First Week of NBA Season

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Nov 1, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. (44) dunks the ball during the second half of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Fastbreak

In simple terms, Milwaukee’s efforts in transition defense have fallen short of expectations. There’s been a recurring issue with players not fully committing to getting back on defense, allowing opponents to capitalize with dunks and open shots. Part of this problem can be traced back to the same struggles in perimeter defense that have affected their rim protection. This has led to the Bucks ranking second-to-last in the league, conceding an average of 21 fastbreak points per game.

The Bucks are giving up 21 fastbreak points per game (2nd worst in the NBA).

Lots of times, teams are just waltzing up the court into open shots as Milwaukee halfheartedly gets back. pic.twitter.com/eWWMraTd81
— Bucks Film Room (@BucksFilmRoom) November 2, 2023

On the offensive end, the team has encountered difficulties in pushing the pace after turnovers and missed shots. Coach Griffin has emphasized the importance of a fast-paced style, but the Bucks have had trouble executing it effectively in the early part of the season. Currently, they rank 27th in the league, only scoring an average of 9.5 fastbreak points per game. Naturally, it becomes challenging to initiate a fastbreak when you find yourself repeatedly retrieving the ball from the net after defensive breakdowns.

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