Nothing short of impressive can be said to explain the Milwaukee Bucks so far this season. On pace for well over 50 wins, The Bucks have been making waves in the eastern conference. As the current second seed, many around the league see Milwaukee as a top team in the East and having a viable chance to reach the Conference Finals, and possibly even NBA Finals.
Milwaukee has taken a big leap forward from their 44-38 record last season that saw them finish with the seventh seed and take the Boston Celtics to seven games in the first round of the playoffs. One contributor towards their success this season is star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo continuing his progression and having an MVP caliber season. The roster additions of role players like Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton have helped this team have also been showing positive return for the team, as well.
However, when looking at the big difference from last year and this year, it is apparent that bringing in Mike Budenholzer as the head coach has unmistakably been a major reason this team is performing at such an elite level and finding a new identity. There are other coaches in the league doing impressive things and defying odds to will their team into winning, but Mike Budenholzer is the obvious choice for Coach of the Year so far this season.
The Numbers
It was no secret that the introduction of Mike Budenholzer meant a new, and specific, game plan for the Bucks. The focus of the offense was to surround Antetokounmpo with shooters and regularly hit the excellent three point looks generated by the defensive attention required to not let the Greek Freak go bonkers in the paint.
With the floor spaced with shooters, Giannis would have ample room to do what he does best and operate under the basket and driving. Stylistically similar to the Budenholzer-led Atlanta Hawks team, namely the 60-win team in the 2014-15 season, Antetokounmpo is a major upgrade from the previous occupant of his role: Paul Millsap. Both athletic forwards with some ability to shoot but much more dominant working inside, Giannis is just a one of a kind athlete and perfect for a system like this.
As flawless as it sounds on paper, the execution might be even more impressive. The shooters around Giannis are doing exactly what they need to- especially Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. Middleton is letting it rip from deep, with his 40.7 percent ranking him at a tie for seventh best among players taking at least five attempts per game. His three makes per game seats him in tie for seventh overall, as well. Middleton has developed into a perfect complementary player alongside Giannis and a fantastic number two option on this team.
Brook Lopez has been a little more of a surprise, however. Lopez leads all centers in makes and attempts from deep, while shooting a respectable 36 percent. This includes shooting 31.9 percent on the 1.5 shots he is draining from the 25-29 ft. range (AKA Steph Curry range). His impressive shooting has been a key factor in bringing Budenholzer’s vision to life.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is making sure this extra space isn’t wasted. His 2.6 offensive boards ranks him fourth among non-centers and his 13 total rebounds places him first among non-centers and sixth overall. His shooting up close at the rim might be one of the most impressive stats so far this season. Within five feet of the rim, Giannis leads the league in both attempts and makes and his 75.9 percent lead any player who attempts at least five shots per game from this area. Giannis at the rim has become arguably the most reliable shot in the league.
Mike Budenholzer’s formula is proving itself effective. The Milwaukee Bucks are first in three pointers made and third in points in the paint. The team is sticking to what works and not deviating from the plan, as well. The Bucks are second in points generated off threes and sixth in points generated in the paint, combining for a stout 82.2 percent of their total points coming from just these two areas.
Team Success
In the last twenty seasons, the NBA’s Coach of the Year winner sported a .600 or above record all but twice. This mark seems to be beyond believable for Mike Budenholzer and the Bucks, who are putting up some of the best team numbers in the league.
Milwaukee is inside the top ten in 12 of the 14 advanced team stats counted by the NBA, including being top 5 in 9 categories. They currently hold the league’s best net rating, almost two points above the second place Toronto Raptors. The team’s success is easily quantified by their second-place offensive rating and sixth best defensive rating.
The Bucks are making efficiency their trademark. They claim ownership to the second highest rebounding percentage in the league and are number two in effective field goal percentage and true shooting percentage. Budenholzer’s ideal offense is showing itself true in the team numbers in regards to passing, as well. The team is top ten in assist percentage, assist to turnover ratio, and assist ratio.
With the Raptors 3.5 games ahead of Milwaukee, maintaining this statistical dominance is key to Budenholzer’s Coach of the year chances. Despite Toronto likely finishing with the best record in the East, and possibly the league, if coach Mike Budenholzer and the Bucks remain as efficient as they have been, his odds to take home the award next summer are looking good.
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