Milwaukee Bucks: How should the playoff rotation be constructed?

Milwaukee Bucks: How the playoff rotation should be constructed – Bench

Thanks to high-valued signings in the offseason and a big trade prior to the deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks have one of the most impactful benches in the league. It’s already pretty clear who will be in the rotation out of the so-called ‘Bench Mob’ in Milwaukee, but configuring the minutes of each valuable role player will be the key.

P.J. Tucker

Minutes: 26-28 per game

Acquiring PJ Tucker was an excellent move by general manager Jon Horst and the Milwaukee Bucks front office. The veteran forward’s pure grit and top-tier communication skills will help this team beyond measures in the playoffs.

Tucker gives the Bucks an essential component of versatility. On the defensive end, he will be key to Milwaukee’s scheme with the different options that they’ll have such as going smaller within the lineup or just wanting to switch more. He won’t start for the Bucks but deserves starter-like minutes as a trustworthy, versatile, tough-minded asset.

Bobby Portis

Minutes: 19-21 per game

Bobby Portis has had an amazing season for the Milwaukee Bucks off the bench, and he’ll be determined to continue to efficiently execute in his role with his ‘underdog’ mentality during the playoffs. Portis is shooting an impressive 47.1 percent from beyond the arc this year compared to just 35.8 percent last season, which says a lot about how far he’s come with his jump shot and how well he’s fit with the Bucks.

He’s shown his value and has seemed to find his ideal role on a title-contending team. Bobby averaged 20.8 minutes per game during the regular season, so there’s no reason to change that consistency heading into the postseason.

Bryn Forbes

Minutes: 19-21 per game

Similar to Portis, Bryn Forbes has established a consistent role for the Bucks off the bench in his first season with the team. He continues to be a lethal threat from downtown by shooting 45.2 percent on 3’s, and makes it so difficult for defenders to close him down with his off-ball movement.

Forbes should maintain his role entering the playoffs as well after the sharpshooter averaged 19.3 minutes per game across the regular season. He’s another valuable weapon that could quickly get hot from the floor.

Pat Connaughton

Minutes: 9-11 per game

With most of the stars and key role players seeing their minutes increase in the playoffs, Pat Connaughton should be the one that sees his minutes significantly decrease. Connaughton played 22.8 minutes per game during the regular season, but that should roughly be cut in half now that the Bucks are heading into the playoffs with little room for mistake in what will be a challenging path to the NBA Finals.

Pat will likely play more than he should since Budenholzer trusts him, but it hasn’t worked out in previous postseasons for the most part. When the season is on the line, Connaughton should not be given close to over 20 minutes or guard one of the other team’s best players while better options are available. Connaughton is a good role player, but not worthy of all that time on a championship-contending team.

Wild Card: Jeff Teague

Lastly, the wild card for the Bucks is Jeff Teague. The veteran guard could be inserted into the rotation depending on foul trouble, injuries, personnel on the floor, or his experience could be favored over guys like DiVincenzo, Forbes, and Connaughton at times.

The Bucks have a very deep, talented squad, so the playoff rotation will be an important and interesting factor as Mike Budenholzer faces the pressure. The Milwaukee Bucks have what it takes to win it all this year, but they must maximize their rotations and minutes distribution throughout the playoffs if they want to reach their ultimate potential.