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The Milwaukee Bucks were expected to take a step forward this season. They had gone through a coaching change by hiring former Coach of the Year in Mike Budenholzer. This season seemed to be promising, but many didn't expect the Bucks to be this successful.
It's the first time since January 23rd 2002 that the Bucks have been 12 games over .500!!#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/qDGPMOh7dS
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 20, 2018
The 2002 roster included Ray Allen, Sam Cassell, and Glenn Robinson. The 2001-02 Bucks averaged 97.5 points per game making them the eighth-best scoring team in the entire league. In mid-January of 2002, the Bucks went on an eight-game terror, averaging 107 points a game in that stretch which was already high based on the era's standards.
The Bucks are now 22-9 on the season after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans by a score of 123-115. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists while shooting 8-of-13 from the field to lead the Bucks to victory. Six Bucks players scored in double digits, including Antetokounmpo, Kris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, Brooke Lopez, George Hill, and Tony Snell.
Budenholzer has done an excellent job recreating this Bucks offense. By giving Antetokounmpo the ball and having everyone spread the floor, often times the offense is simply designed for drive and kicks. In some other occasions, coach Bud will have Lopez screen whoever is guarding Antetokounmpo on the perimeter. This allows Lopez to pop up and hit wide-open threes or for Giannis to have an easy one-on-one matchup with a mismatch.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 26.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, and six assists per game while shooting 58.9 percent from the field. He heads an offense that leads the NBA in points per game (117.6) and is fifth in pace (102.4). He is a surefire MVP candidate at this point of the season.
Budenholzer has given this team the tools to succeed, something his predecessor Jason Kidd could not say for himself.
