Milwaukee Bucks Breakdown: Bucks Have Enough Heart to Make Postseason

[Erick Blasco]

Given the confluence of factors conspiring against the Milwaukee Bucks—a fourth game in five nights; a road game in New Jersey a night after playing a game in the comfy confines of Milwaukee; a performance against a downtrodden Nets team a day after a spirited, but heartbreaking loss to the Miami Heat; injuries to much of their roster with Brandon Jennings, Andrew Bogut, Drew Gooden, and Carlos Delfino missing the contest with one ailment or another—that they were able to crush the Nets 115-92 was an impressive feat.

 

In fact, the Bucks displayed an abundance of defensive heart in thrashing the moribund Nets. Despite the tough result the night before, defenders stayed in front of their man along the perimeter as if a playoff game were at stake. Help defenders successfully flashed into driving lanes to prevent dribble penetration, interior rotations were generally on time and effective, every loose ball and every jump shot was contested, guards were pressured bringing the ball up the court, even Ersan Illyasova was able to use his long arms and frail body to flummox Brook Lopez and box him out off the glass.

 

Looking at a more specific detail of Milwaukee’s roster, Illyasova had a terrific game—10-14 FG, 2-3 FT, 13 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL, 1 TO, 1 BLK, 22 PTS. He posted up one time and banked in a right hook, but the rest of his game involves fanning on screen/fades or operating as an offensive safety valve for jumpers. He did pop behind a few baseline and down screens, and given the uninspired nature of New Jersey’s defense found himself open most of the time.

 

He plays post defense by reaching around the posting player towards the baseline side trusting his long arms to deflect entry passes or loose dribbles—hence his three steals plus several more deflections. When he was shot over, his long arms made a tough target for Brook Lopez, though Derrick Favors’ more athletic skill set caused Illyasova more problems. His team defense was not bad but not exemplary. He missed several box outs and interior rotations and was too cautious closing out to perimeter players. Still, he boxed out more often that not, and hunted rebounds after they came off the backboard.

 

http://www.brewhoop.com/2011/1/11/1930001/milwaukee-bucks-breakdown-bucks-still-have-the-heart-to-make-the