Sitting atop the NBA, Bucks welcome opportunity to relax at the break

The NBA has reached the all-star break and the Milwaukee Bucks are sitting in the catbird seat atop the Eastern Conference at 43-14.

They're not just leading the pack in terms of record, though. The Bucks have the most efficient defense in the NBA, the league's fourth-best offense and the league's best net rating at plus-9.4 points per 100 possessions. Their point differential of plus-9.8 points per game puts them among some of the elite teams in league history, including ahead of Milwaukee's 1970-'71 championship team which had a regular-season point differential of plus-9.1.

This season's Bucks have also reached the unofficial midway point as the only team without consecutive losses as well as the only team that has yet to lose to the same team twice.

Some might argue that the break comes at a disadvantageous time for the Bucks. They're rolling with wins in eight of their past nine games, including seven straight victories on the road. But for the Bucks, they're looking forward to the opportunity to relax and take some time away from basketball.

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“Not so much on the court, but I think to continue to make sure they’re taking care of their bodies a little bit, which includes taking a break and shutting it down," coach Mike Budenholzer said when asked about how he hopes his players use their time off.

"I think with the break being extended and lengthened it would be wise to do some cardio, do a little something just to stay in shape. If that includes a little bit of basketball, fine, but I’m more just worried about them taking care of their bodies.”

In practice, what that looks like is different for everyone.

New-addition Nikola Mirotic says he'll spend the break getting himself and his family settled in Milwaukee.

Malcolm Brogdon is heading down to the Bahamas for the NBA Players Associations meeting.

Brook Lopez, true to his California roots, also made getting somewhere warm paramount on his list of things to do as he jets down to Florida.

"I think it’s more important to have a mental break than a physical break," Brogdon said. "I think people’s bodies are breaking down, but I think mentally, players and coaches, I think everybody gets a little exhausted at this point. Good to be able to regather yourself and your thoughts and come back fresh.”

Of course, there will be a large contingent of Bucks representatives going down to Charlotte for all-star weekend festivities. That group includes the entire coaching staff, Khris Middleton — an all-star and three-point contest participant — and all-star captain Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Middleton, who is participating in his first All-Star Game, went down to Charlotte after Wednesday's win in Indiana, partly because Charlotte is so close to his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. He'll have plenty to do, but will be also have plenty of family and friends around both during and after the weekend.

“I looked at my schedule and I’ve got a lot of time just to relax and whatnot then I get to go home right down the street right after the game," Middleton said. "Definitely get off my feet some, enjoy being back home with family and friends then come back in and get ready to work.”

Antetokounmpo, however, had much different plans for the first few days of his break, which included returning home to Milwaukee for plenty of sleep, laying on the couch and watching MTV.

"I like some drama shows Kardashians, Ex on the Beach, Are You the One, XXX Challenge – I like it, I love drama," Antetokounmpo said.

Add in a haircut Friday and watching his brother Alex play for Whitefish Bay Dominican that night and Antetokounmpo will be ready to head down for all-star weekend. But for as central a role as he will be playing as the leader of Team Giannis, Antetokounmpo says he doesn't plan on overexerting himself in Charlotte.

"That’s it. I’m just going to rest," he said.

While the weeklong lay-off may cut into some of the Bucks' momentum and include scheduled activities for some, they're happy for the extended break. They're also under no disillusionment about what will be required when they return as they try to maintain their perch atop the East over the final 25 games of the regular season.

“The good thing is we’re leaving on a win," George Hill said. "That’s the start. You can kind of enjoy the break, take the next couple days to enjoy it with your friends, your family but at the same time you’ve got to do something while you’re there to come back hitting the ground running.

"The teams that can come out the break doing well, getting some wins are normally the teams that survive. The ones that are not are the ones that fall.”