Bucks stymie foes’ fast-break opportunities
SACRAMENTO - For all the ups and downs involved with the Milwaukee Bucks defense this season, one positive aspect has remained relatively constant. The Bucks just don't get beat in transition.
Entering Tuesday's game against the Sacramento Kings, the Bucks had allowed the fewest fast-break points in the NBA both in terms of total (120) and per game (6.7) figures. It's a conscious part of coach Jason Kidd's defensive scheme that provides clear benefits as well as drawbacks.
“We’re sending all five back," Kidd said. "Everybody has a stat for something, so that means we’re not getting offensive rebounds. We’re probably dead last. But understanding how important it is, transition defense in this league to take the three or the easy layup away.
"There’s so many talented point guards or talented bigs that can handle the ball, so we’re trying to make a conscious effort to get back.”
Milwaukee is indeed dead last in offensive rebounds, collecting 7.61 per game, just behind the Memphis Grizzlies, who average 7.63. When they don't send all five back on defense, the Bucks rely on their centers, John Henson and Thon Maker, as well as star Giannis Antetokounmpo to crash the offensive glass, though usually not more than one at a time.
Antetokounmpo leads the team with 2.1 offensive rebounds per game, though that number is bolstered by his extensive playing time. Among rotation players, Henson (3.0) and Maker (2.1) are ahead of Antetokounmpo's 2.0 rebounds per 36 minutes.
Often, though, Antetokounmpo is the one designated to go for offensive rebounds. The centers certainly can grab a missed shot if they are in the right position for it, but at nearly 7 feet tall with a 7-foot wingspan, Antetokounmpo's combination of size and athleticism makes him a strong candidate for grabbing rebounds or making up ground from behind, including building a reputation for chase-down blocks.
"Most of the time we’ve got one person going for the offensive rebound, most of the time that’s me and the four others go back," Antetokounmpo said. "I can make up ground fast and I’m really good at getting offensive rebounds and I can sprint real fast to the weak side to get the steal.”
Of course, fast-break points don't just come off missed shots. Another way they're created is off turnovers, which the Bucks have done a commendable job avoiding in the opening six weeks. Milwaukee has committed the sixthfewest turnovers per game (14.4), but not all of them have been live-ball turnovers — the type most likely to end in an easy bucket at the other end.
When the Bucks do find themselves in a disadvantageous situation in transition, they put their length and versatility to the test. Players communicate about their matchups and put themselves in the best positions possible to contest or curtail fast-break attempts.
If the first line of defense does its job, they know the cavalry is coming.
"All the point guards and our guards know not to foul when they're running back on defense because they know there's somebody coming from behind to block that shot at some point or coming to help them out," Maker said. "If one of us didn't do that they're going to talk to us and make sure that we do sprint back and help them out."
As important as communication, length and positioning are, they're nothing without hustle.
“The No. 1 rule is do not backpedal, sprint back," Antetokounmpo said. "That’s what we focus on.”