The Milwaukee Bucks’ defense has been at the center of discussions throughout the NBA in the past few weeks. While nobody believed that they’d continue to be the dominant defensive team they were over the last few seasons after trading away Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen for All-Star Damian Lillard, it’s still concerning that they’ve dropped off so significantly.
The Bucks were once known as one of the best defensive teams in the league, led by Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo and his elite rim protection. However, this season, they have struggled to maintain their defensive prowess, allowing opponents to score nearly 120 points per game, which ranks 24th in the NBA.
However, help is on the way for the beleaguered Bucks as rugged forward Jae Crowder is set to rejoin the team after missing two months because of a groin injury.
Shore up the defense
The Bucks’ last five games have been brutal. They have won only once and have given up an average of 125.8 points during this losing stretch. Crowder said the Bucks have sufficient manpower to overpower opponents with incredible offensive prowess. However, they must also tighten their laces and lock down on defense to compete for the NBA championship.
“I’m looking at more the bigger picture. Like I’m here, we’re here right now in the present, but I am looking forward to the bigger picture of getting our team where we need to be. I feel like, yeah, we’re winning games right now, but we’re not doing it in the fashion that we want to, in the sense of just defensive play,” Crowder told The Athletic.
“I think we have talent. Obviously, we have a lot of talent in the room, and we have a lot of offense in the room, but if we can just focus on team defense and helping each other and building the trust that we need, I feel like we’re still doing that.”
Still have time to turn things around
Crowder is an 11-year veteran who has hung his hat on his defensive abilities and has been a key contributor on playoff teams throughout his career. So when he says the team needs to focus on defense, it carries weight. Defense necessitates building trust with one another, which continues to be a work in process amongst the old and new players.
“I feel like every day we step on the court right now, it’s still — whatever, 30, 40 games in — we’re still building habits. We’re still building trust in one another,” Crowder shared.
“And I think you see it, the up-and-down of our defense. It’s just up and down right now. I think once everyone comes together and me coming back, using my voice, using my leadership where it needs to be, I think we’ll get better.”
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