Have the Bucks hit a snag, or are they doing just fine as we reach the midway point of the 2022-2023 season? As the All-Star break nears, NBA analysts and commentators have been weighing in on the teams that look the most poised to make a title run in April. NBA writer Steve Aschburner has assessed each team and has given a grade for their performance through mid-season.
The Bucks rank just above the middle of the pack with a lukewarm B- minus grade at this point of the season. Aschburner cites offensive play over the past two months and injuries as contributing factors for the less-than-stellar grade.
“It’s almost impossible to assess the Bucks as a title contender because we barely have seen the team capable of getting them there. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday have only played five games together, good for a 3-2 mark.”
Injuries have plagued the Bucks throughout the season. Of the 46 games they’ve played, Middleton has missed 37, and Holiday and Antetokounpo have missed several games throughout including having currently missed the last five games.
These absences have contributed to often mediocre offensive performances with Aschburner describing their play as “complacent.” The most noticeable lagging performances came in the December 15 142-101 blowout loss versus the Grizzlies, the January 6 138-109 blowout loss to the Hornets, and the December 28 119-113 overtime loss to the Bulls in which the Bucks blew a 22-point lead.
In recent games, however, the Bucks’ offensive scheme has looked superb dominating against the Pacers and sporting wins over the Raptors, Hawks, and a competitive Knicks team. The former two matchups saw dominating performances from Holiday who scored 35 and 37 points respectively and solid performances from Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Grayson Allen, and Joe Ingles.
Despite the criticisms and the inconsistent offensive play, following the loss against Cleveland, the Bucks currently stand at a 29-17 record and remain in third place in a strong Eastern Conference.
Will this upward trend continue into the later months of the season, or will the team face another slump? If they do, will that spell trouble for a Bucks team that performs much better at home? Will they be able to compete against the top-seeded Celtics who have consistently put up great performances? Should much stock even be taken into mid-season grades?
Only time will tell if fans should remain relaxed, as Giannis suggests, or if there should be major moves made by the Bucks to prevent an earlier-than-anticipated playoff exit.
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1 Comment
Considering the inconsistency of the lineups, they’ve played well enough to hold 3rd place. I think over the coming months they’ll continue to trend upward as the team gets healthy. We’ve just got to stay the course until the post-season! Go Bucks!