2016-'17 Milwaukee Bucks team grades
Offense
The Bucks knew they had to find more balance in their offense and develop a three-point game. During the 2015-’16 season they ranked last in the NBA in both three-pointers attempted (15.6 average) and three-pointers made (5.4 average).
They did improve, even without Khris Middleton for the first 50 games of the season. Tony Snell had a team-high 355 attempts and made 144, a mark of 40.6%. As a team Milwaukee shot 37%, ranking 10th in the NBA.
The Bucks attempted eight more threes per game than they did the previous season (23.6) and made three-plus more (8.8). They ranked 24th in the league in three-point attempts and 22nd in three-pointers made.
Milwaukee ranked fourth in the league in overall field-goal percentage (47.4%), trailing only Golden State, Washington and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Bucks were fifth in assists, averaging 24.2.
And paint points remained a strength as Milwaukee finished third at 48.0 per game after leading the league at 50.5 last season. The team averaged 103.6 points, ranking 20th.
The Bucks were prone to offensive droughts when they could not get their transition game going and had to play too much in their half-court offense.
Coach Jason Kidd was able to bring Greg Monroe off the bench, helping avoid an offensive letdown when the second unit played. Michael Beasley also contributed in that area, along with rookie Malcolm Brogdon. Grade: C
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Defense
The Bucks tried to use their length to disrupt opposing offenses and had a good share of success.
They were long in the backcourt with the 6-foot-7 Tony Snell to the frontcourt with 6-11 Giannis Antetokounmpo and 7-1 Thon Maker.
Brogdon and Matthew Dellavedova were not the quickest but they often made up for it with their size and gritty determination.
Middleton’s return in February solidified the defense and helped the Bucks make their turnaround in March.
The Bucks ranked ninth in opponents’ points (103.8 average) and ninth in opponents three-point percentage (35.3%), although defending corner threes remained a challenge.
Milwaukee was in the top 10 in steals per game (8.1 average for ninth), blocks (5.3 for sixth), opponent turnovers (14.7 for 10th) and opponent turnovers per possession (15% for third).
Maker’s comfort level increased as he gained experience and his presence made the defense more intimidating at the rim. Monroe improved in taking charges and making steals.
The defense forced Toronto to make critical adjustments in the first-round playoff series as the Raptors rallied from a 2-1 deficit to win the series, 4-2. Grade: B
Coaching
Kidd is not accustomed to losing. That’s what made the Bucks’ slide to a 33-49 record last season such a devastating development for the former point guard.
When Middleton went down before camp started, it appeared another losing season might be ahead. But Kidd and the coaching staff survived those early bumps, which also included Miles Plumlee’s disappearance at the center spot.
The rookies Brogdon and Maker had successful seasons and Snell thrived in his new environment. The coaching staff’s handling of Maker was exemplary.
Kidd continued to lead the development of Antetokounmpo, who became an all-star starter. The mid-season injury suffered by Jabari Parker tested everyone in the organization, including the coaching staff.
Reaching the playoffs was a must in the “Build the Future” plan. Now winning in the playoffs and getting closer to the 50-victory mark are the next steps on the way to being a title contender. Grade: B
Intangibles
The locker room vibe improved with the additions of veterans Jason Terry and Beasley and the signing of playoff-tested Dellavedova.
Terry was just what the team needed, someone with a positive attitude and an understanding of the way Kidd works.
Having a cerebral rookie in Brogdon also set the right tone, and the veteran Monroe was more comfortable in his second season with the team.
There were a few strange moments, including Parker being benched briefly for some innocuous comments to this reporter following a team meeting after a lopsided loss in Orlando.
But the overall positive atmosphere helped the team overcome adversity to reach its playoff goal. Grade: B-plus
Personnel moves
The Bucks’ off-season moves included signing free agents Dellavedova and Mirza Teletovic to multiyear deals and adding Terry and Beasley on one-year contracts.
Those were not franchise-changers, but Dellavedova was a good addition to the team’s overall toughness. And he’s just 26 years old.
The draft picks in 2016 were big hits: Maker at No. 10 and Brogdon at No. 36. They both should be big contributors to the team for a long time.
Obtaining Snell just before the season started turned into a steal. It will be interesting to see if he returns next season: he will be a restricted free agent this summer.
The team’s only trade deadline deal also benefited Milwaukee. Plumlee went to Charlotte, getting the Bucks out from under a $50 million obligation to a non-producing player. Grade: B-plus
Overall
The Bucks (42-40) compiled their first winning season since 2009-’10, when they went 46-36 under coach Scott Skiles.
That counts as progress when a franchise has struggled as much as the Bucks have.
The challenge will be to keep climbing, to make the right moves to complement the young talent on the roster.
It could all be coming together at the right time, with the team playing one more year at the BMO Harris Bradley Center before moving into their shiny new downtown arena.
The incredible rise of Antetokounmpo was tempered by the second serious knee injury for Parker in his three pro seasons. It wasn’t a breakthrough season for the franchise; it wasn’t a step back, either.
Real progress was made and must continue. Grade: B