Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Christmas: A Gift For Every Team’s Wish List

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
18 of 31
Next
NBA
December 18, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd instructs during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Bucks 121-112. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Milwaukee Bucks

A New Hip For Jason Kidd

With Jason Kidd out indefinitely due to hip surgery, the Milwaukee Bucks are in an even worse place than their 12-18 record indicates. It’s not about any one season with a team as inexperienced as these young Bucks, but losing the leader that’s fostering their development is a significant blow.

Coming off a 41-41 season, the Bucks have been a disappointment so far. The arrival of Greg Monroe has provided Milwaukee with a go-to scorer and playmaker from the elbows, but the team’s once elite defense has completely fallen off a cliff. Between Monroe’s flat-footedness and the departure of veterans like Jared Dudley and Zaza Pachulia, the Bucks’ defense is nowhere near playoff-level.

However, the Bucks had recently shown some signs of life with five wins over their last 10 games, so the timing isn’t exactly ideal. For the development of players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jabari Parker and Michael Carter-Williams to continue as planned, the Bucks need J-Kidd back on the sidelines again as soon as possible.

Next: Minnesota Timberwolves