Power Rankings
Overall rank: 11th
Tier: Playoff Locks
Projected Seeding: 5th in East
The Bucks are certainly heading in the right direction as a young team with plenty of upside. Former Rookie of the Year PG Michael Carter-Williams runs the point, and is just one of many incredibly lengthy and athletic freaks on the roster. SF/SG Giannis "The Greek Freak" Antetokounmpo epitomizes this description, and is joined by more young, talented players on the wing: SF/PF Jabari Parker and SF Khris Middleton. PF/C Greg Monroe, signed this offseason, projects to be Milwaukee's top scorer and their only reliable low-post threat. The bench also looks deep, with SG O.J Mayo, PF/C John Henson, and PG/SG Greivis Vasquez, and more. However, there's just one issue: the team can't shoot! Carter-Williams is shooting 25.2% from the 3 point line for his career, and shot even worse in this past season (14.3%). Many others, like Greek Freak, aren't much better, and it's really only the bench players that stretch the floor. For reference, in today's NBA, a little over a third of long-balls go in. The only consistent 3-point threat that forecasts to be in the starting five is Middleton, who is a career 40.3% shooter from beyond the arc. It's no coincidence that last year's six best teams record-wise all finished in the top seven in threes attempted. While the Bucks are still young and talented with plenty of room to grow, making the final leap this season is not going to happen unless it starts raining from downtown.
Overall rank: 11th
Tier: Playoff Locks
Projected Seeding: 5th in East
The Bucks are certainly heading in the right direction as a young team with plenty of upside. Former Rookie of the Year PG Michael Carter-Williams runs the point, and is just one of many incredibly lengthy and athletic freaks on the roster. SF/SG Giannis "The Greek Freak" Antetokounmpo epitomizes this description, and is joined by more young, talented players on the wing: SF/PF Jabari Parker and SF Khris Middleton. PF/C Greg Monroe, signed this offseason, projects to be Milwaukee's top scorer and their only reliable low-post threat. The bench also looks deep, with SG O.J Mayo, PF/C John Henson, and PG/SG Greivis Vasquez, and more. However, there's just one issue: the team can't shoot! Carter-Williams is shooting 25.2% from the 3 point line for his career, and shot even worse in this past season (14.3%). Many others, like Greek Freak, aren't much better, and it's really only the bench players that stretch the floor. For reference, in today's NBA, a little over a third of long-balls go in. The only consistent 3-point threat that forecasts to be in the starting five is Middleton, who is a career 40.3% shooter from beyond the arc. It's no coincidence that last year's six best teams record-wise all finished in the top seven in threes attempted. While the Bucks are still young and talented with plenty of room to grow, making the final leap this season is not going to happen unless it starts raining from downtown.