Offseason Additions Making Big Impact for the Bucks

Expand

facebook.com/milwaukeebucks

Brook Lopez

On the night the Milwaukee Bucks notched their 12th win of the season with only four losses to match their best start since 1985-86, they debuted new city edition jerseys honoring the iconic Mecca floor that the franchise played on from 1977-1987. The Mecca floor was designed by famous artist Robert Indiana and was truly one of a kind. What better way to break these beauties in than getting a true, grind it out win over a feisty Denver Nuggets team in comeback fashion. In fact, in Milwaukee’s last two games, they have overcome deficits of 22 against the I-94 rival Chicago Bulls and 17 points last night with explosive second half runs and contributions up and down the roster.

When you look back at the Bucks offseason moves, there wasn’t a huge splash that made everyone go crazy. Instead, Bucks 2nd year GM Jon Horst went out and found some solid role players that would best suit the style of new coach Mike Budenholzer. Judging by how this team has come together through 16 games, it sure seems that veterans Ersan Ilyasova, Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton and even rookie Donte DiVincenzo were perfect pieces to put around the core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe.

Splash Mountain

Perhaps one of the most underrated signings of the entire summer was Brook Lopez, who agreed to a one-year deal worth a friendly $3.3 million. Lopez, who played last season with the Lakers after spending his first nine seasons with the Nets, reinvented his game just two seasons ago by becoming a three-point shooter. The way he has shot the ball this season suggests that he had been shooting outside shots his entire career, but that hasn’t been the case. The 7’0 center shot 31 total threes in his first eight seasons; making just three of them. To ensure that he add more years onto his career, an adjustment had to be made. During his last year in Brooklyn followed by his lone season in Los Angeles, the Stanford alum shot a modest 35% shooting well over 300 threes in both seasons.

With the Lakers going younger by adding Javale McGee to the roster, it left Lopez to explore new options, and he may have just found a home in Milwaukee and Budenholzer’s offense. He has certainly not disappointed thus far, shooting nearly 42% from downtown. The key to his success has been finding the right spots on the floor and his confidence is through the roof. Lopez is the exact kind of center Milwaukee has needed while having a guy like Giannis take control the paint. Despite not being known for his defensive capabilities, and unfortunately being on the wrong side of some massive poster dunks throughout his career, one could argue he has vastly improved in that area. He uses size and length to clog up the paint and force altered shots while boxing out opposing bigs to leave room for Giannis and company to grab easy rebounds and get out in transition. With a newly given nickname of Splash Mountain that is starting to stick throughout the organization, it’s safe to say that Lopez has made his impact felt in a big way. If he continues to have nights like his season-high 28-point outing back in Denver, which included a career-high eight three pointers, it means the Bucks are doing big things.

Turkish Thunder

When you think of solid, fundamental players in the NBA, Ersan Ilyasova has to be one of the top guys on that list. The 6’10” forward has made a living as one of the better stretch-four big men in the league with a career three-point shooting percentage of nearly 37%. Originally drafted by the Bucks in the second round of the 2005 draft, Ilyasova was an extremely raw talented 18-year-old who wasn’t gun shy to say the least. After an up and down rookie season, the Bucks shipped him back to Europe to refine his skills before bringing him back for the 2009-2010 season, which happened to be the original “Fear The Deer” campaign. His gritty play garnered him a spot on the team for the next five years before being shipped to Detroit for hometown veteran Caron Butler, who lasted just one season with the team.

After five stops, the 31-year-old has finally found his way back home to Milwaukee on a three-year deal and the timing couldn’t be better. His experience and basketball IQ are at an all-time high. It’s not just shooting and rebounding that define him, but the little things like taking charges and being in the right spots on both ends of the floor that have made him a valuable asset to this roster. Ilyasova has taken a beating in the paint over the years having been in the top 10 in 10 straight seasons in offensive fouls drawn. That’s a stat that typically goes unnoticed, but important because it shows toughness and a willingness to put your body on the line for your team. You won’t hear him talk too much trash or anything of that nature. Ilyasova is and will continue to be a guy who does the dirty work that will go a long way towards overall team success.

Energizer Bunny

Last but not least, a lot can be said about the addition of 25-year-old Pat Connaughton, who was kind of an afterthought signing, as he was added late in the summer on a cheap two-year deal. He could end up being an absolute steal judging by what he’s given in such a short time. A former fourth round pick in the 2014 draft by the Baltimore Orioles, who still hold his rights, he chose a different profession as he was taken in the second round of the 2015 NBA draft by the Brooklyn Nets. While he didn’t make a huge wave during his three-year tenure in Portland, Pat proved he belonged in the league with a smooth outside stroke along with his ability to defend as a “three and D” type of player. Not to mention his freakish 40+ inch vertical that has been on display this season. With rookie Donte DiVincenzo nursing an injury, Connaughton has taken full advantage of his minutes scoring in double figures in five of the 13 games he has played and given Bud no choice but to keep him in the rotation.

Bottom Line

The Bucks have continued to stay at the top of the league with their stellar play on both ends of the floor including being ranked in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They have not just relied on Giannis or Middleton carrying them like in years past. They have finally built an identity that includes everyone having a role to help this team win. The trust they have in each other has allowed them to go out and find ways to win even on nights when they come out struggling to start the game. Confidence is key in the NBA, and the Bucks have had a swagger about them all season long that leaves no doubt they can hang with anyone in the NBA on any given night. The season is still young, and anything can happen, but if this team can stay relatively healthy, there’s no doubt that we will continue to talk about how special this group of guys can really be. Oh, and the mean mug is back!