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Milwaukee Bucks : 5 Keys To Success In 2016-17

By Gary Gorski

Jan 29, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd calls a play with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the fourth quarter during the game against the Miami Heat at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Heat beat the Bucks 107-103. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd calls a play with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the fourth quarter during the game against the Miami Heat at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Heat beat the Bucks 107-103. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 25, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (right) grabs the ball as Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (left) drives to the hoop during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (right) grabs the ball as Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (left) drives to the hoop during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Some Moves Don’t Work

The Milwaukee Bucks have done an excellent job drafting in recent seasons (Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Henson, Rashad Vaughn) and they put one over on the Pistons in the Khris Middleton deal, but not every deal can be a home run. The acquisitions of Greg Monroe and Michael Carter-Williams have certainly not lived up to expectations.

Monroe and Carter-Williams are not terrible basketball players. Both players posted a positive VORP (value over replacement player) and Monroe posted a positive box plus/minus as well, but both have their own reasons why they are not a good fit for the Milwaukee Bucks.

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    • Greg Monroe is a nightly double-double threat but as the Cleveland Cavaliers seem to be figuring out with the Kevin Love saga, the modern day NBA doesn’t care about that anymore. Monroe is a benefit to an offense that can be run through him. He’s a capable passer and skilled low post scorer but Monroe is a dinosaur in today’s NBA.

    The Bucks aren’t going to run a steady diet of Antetokounmpo dumping the ball into the low post and watching, nor is Monroe on the level where he would require a double-team to handle. On the other end Monroe is nowhere near the defender John Henson is and while he is a very strong rebounder, being in the proper defensive position is not a strong suit and his lack of athleticism is always a potential liability.

    Michael Carter-Williams is a player still looking to find his footing in the NBA. He shows flashes of brilliance at times but is a terrible shooter — under 34 percent outside of the paint this season. Most importantly, he was replaced as the starting point guard by Giannis. That leaves Carter-Williams in an awkward no-man’s land.

    Monroe and Carter-Williams are not completely useless. Both players can come in and have a positive impact but they need to do so in bench roles. They’re also not so terrible that the Bucks can’t possibly trade them and will be saddled with them for a long time.

    Monroe only has two years left on his deal with the second being a player option that he could turn down hoping for one more big payday given the cap explosion in the next two years. Carter-Williams is about to go into his final season of his rookie contract which is an easily tradeable salary and there are teams in need of a point guard.

    Next: Development Is Key

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