3 reasons why the Milwaukee Bucks won’t repeat as NBA champions

By Jack Simone | Mar 21, 2022

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts with teammate Khris Middleton #22 during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 10, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina, NBA Power Rankings Week 21: Bucks surge, Lakers plummet. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Jrue Holiday #21 and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks talk during a free throw against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at American Airlines Arena on December 29, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

3 reasons why the Milwaukee Bucks won’t repeat as NBA champions: Defense

For the past few seasons, the Milwaukee Bucks have rode the wave of an elite NBA defense. Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks were one of the top defenses in the entire league. That’s been a consistent fact.

Last season they were a top-ten defense in the regular season (first in the playoffs), the number-one defense in 2019-20, and the number-one defense in the 2018-19 season.

This year? They rank 15th in the NBA, just barely cracking the top half of the league. To put that into perspective, the New York Knicks have a better defensive rating than the Bucks.

Now, this obviously doesn’t mean everything. The Bucks have been dealing with a ton of injuries this season which very easily could be affecting the level of their defense.

But (for the most part), numbers never lie. The fact is, Milwaukee’s defense just isn’t as good this year, which could easily come into play come playoff time, especially with all the talent around the league.

In the Eastern Conference, almost every top team not only has an elite offensive player – Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Durant- but also an elite secondary option – Jaylen Brown, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Kyrie Irving. So while the Bucks have elite defenders on their team, the fact that their defense as a whole isn’t as good should definitely be cause for concern.

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