The Milwaukee Bucks’ transformation from an elite rebounding team to an average one is “baffling,” says a report

The Bucks are faltering on the boards.

© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in a good position a quarter into the season. With a 15-7 record, the Bucks are situated third in the Eastern Conference race. Damian Lillard continues to build chemistry with fellow superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rest of the Bucks.

However, their defensive woes persist as the team ranks 23rd and 24th in defensive rating and opponent's points per game, respectively. Another issue that's plaguing the team is their diminishing rebounding rate. Whereas this used to be one of Milwaukee's strong suits in past seasons, the Bucks currently have an average rebound rate of 74.2 percent, which puts them in 21st place in the league.

Trouble cleaning the glass

The Bucks boast of a frontline with both size and athleticism, but this is yet to result in an uptick in their rebounding rate. While center Brook Lopez has never been known for hauling down boards, Giannis and Bobby Portis are renowned for their efforts in the glass. And yet, they are not rebounding quite as well as in the last few seasons.

While Giannis is averaging 10.6 rebounds per game, which is a robust number, it is his lowest mark since the 2017-2018 season. On the other hand, Portis, who nearly averaged double-digits in rebounds last season with 9.6, is down to 6.5 a game - the lowest his rebounding numbers have been since joining the Bucks in 2020.

"According to Cleaning the Glass, under the tenure of former head coach Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks consistently ranked no worse than third in defensive rebounding percentage, a testament to Budenholzer's strategic emphasis on rim protection. The big men were strategically positioned near the paint, adept at securing opponents' misses and limiting second-chance points," Brian Sampson, an analytics expert who covers the Bucks, wrote.

What's the culprit?

The Bucks' defense has been porous, if not inconsistent, this season. Coach Adrian Griffin's defensive philosophy often involves the team's big men going up to pressure ball handlers to try and force turnovers. However, this has led to less paint presence as the Bucks' bigs are constantly on the move. Poor rotations and confusion on switches have also left Milwaukee vulnerable, allowing opponents to get into the paint and snag offensive boards.

"The root cause is elusive. It could be attributed to the pressuring, aggressive defense implemented by new head coach Adrian Griffin. This defensive strategy urges on-ball defenders to guard well beyond the three-point line, pulling them away from rebounding positions," Sampson explained.

"How the Bucks suddenly went from an elite rebounding squad to an average one is baffling. It appears to be directly linked to their larger defensive woes—an unorganized team that lacks the skillset and desire to successfully finish possessions by grabbing the rock."

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