Milwaukee Bucks: Player Power Rankings (Dec. 1-Dec. 7)
The Milwaukee Bucks were a very solid 3-1 this week, despite coming awfully close to going undefeated. This puts their season record at 11-9, but what did this week mean for our Player Power Rankings?
Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Week in Review (3-1)
W: Milwaukee Bucks, 111 @ Brooklyn Nets, 93
W: Brooklyn Nets, 103 @ Milwaukee Bucks, 112
L: San Antonio Spurs, 97 @ Milwaukee Bucks, 96
W: Portland Trail Blazers, 107 @ Milwaukee Bucks, 115
Even with a bottom-feeding opponent, sweeping back-to-back games against the same team is no easy feat, and the Bucks made quick work of the Nets this week. After these two games, however, the schedule got much harder, with tests against Western Conference playoff teams the San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Both of these games were at home, but the team was ready in each match-up and came quite close to knocking off both opponents. Mirza Teletovic had a great look at a game-winning three against the Spurs which just missed while a massive scoring performance from Jabari Parker and a triple-double from Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way against the Blazers.
And that doesn’t even mention the contributions of Matthew Dellavedova and Malcolm Brogdon, who starred against Portland, combining for 30 points on 6/8 from behind the arc. It is really starting to come together for both players as they get situated alongside the player who looks to be a certain All-Star at this point in the season: the Greek Freak.
Having just celebrated his 22nd birthday, Giannis showed us once again how talented and young he is. The future sure is bright for Antetokounmpo, but don’t let that blind you from the present. It is time to forget the “potential” for Giannis and just watch the star in awe with every devastating dunk and delicious dime.
And with that, it is up to you to guess where the Freak landed in this week’s Player Rankings.
Biggest Riser: Malcolm Brogdon/John Henson ↑ 2
Fastest Faller: Michael Beasley ↓ 6
Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jason Terry
SG
Last week: 4 GP: 13.3 mins/1.5 pts/0.5 rebs/0.3 astsLast rank: 9
It would not surprise me to see Coach Kidd start alternating games played for Rashad Vaughn and Jason Terry. With Terry getting up in age and Vaughn still adjusting to the NBA game, that might be a good plan for both players and the team.
Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
These players did not play enough minutes to garner serious consideration for this week’s rankings. Vaughn and Maker are still very young, so seeing them receive DNP-CDs should come at no surprise to anyone. But maybe we’ll start to see more of Vaughn as Terry continues to struggle.
As for Plumlee, it is clear that both John Henson and Greg Monroe are miles ahead of him and if Jason Kidd just wants to play a two-center system, then Plumlee will continue to sit on the bench.
Thon Maker has been solid in all of his appearances to this point, and these flashes are a good sign to Bucks fans looking to see what he might become. The playing time is not coming yet, but it will eventually, even if it means next season.
Miles Plumlee
C
Last week: 1 GP: 3.0 mins/0.0 pts/0.0 rebs/0.0 astsLast rank: 11
11
Rashad Vaughn
SG
Last week: 2 GP: 6.0 mins/0.0 pts/0.5 rebs/0.0 astsLast rank: NR
10
Thon Maker
C
Last week: 1 GP: 3.0 mins/0.0 pts/0.0 rebs/0.0 astsLast rank: 12
Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mirza Teletovic
PF
Last week: 3 GP: 18.0 mins/9.0 pts/4.0 rebs/1.0 astsLast rank: 10
It is hard to be tremendously critical of Telly’s play because of his style. He is making his threes at a pretty decent rate and that is exactly what he is supposed to do.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Beasley
PF
Last week: 4 GP: 17.5 mins/7.5 pts/4.8 rebs/0.5 astsLast rank: 2
Still, he was effective in his minutes, especially in the game against the Blazers, where he finished with 12 points and eight rebounds in just 22 minutes.
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Snell
SG
Last week: 4 GP: 29.8 mins/9.0 pts/3.0 rebs/0.8 astsLast rank: 6
Snell played the third-most minutes on the team, and only turned the ball over one time. Just once. To put this in perspective, Snell played 12.4% of the team’s total minutes this week, and committed just 1.8% of the team’s turnovers. From a starter, this ability is definitely a positive and cannot be understated.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
John Henson
C
Last week: 4 GP: 25.5 mins/11.8 pts/6.5 rebs/1.0 astsLast rank: 8
Henson does not need to be a high usage player for Milwaukee, but if he keeps up his current role, the team will be in good shape.
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Malcolm Brogdon
PG
Last week: 4 GP: 22.0 mins/8.3 pts/2.3 rebs/3.8 astsLast rank: 7
@ Brooklyn: 4/7 (3/4 from three)
vs. Brooklyn: 2/8 (0/2 from three)
vs. San Antonio: 1/6 (0/1 from three)
vs. Portland: 4/6 (3/3 from three)
When taken together, these are pretty good numbers, but he also had two poor shooting nights this week. Still, that is a bit of a nitpick. Not everyone can be on every night. However, if Brogdon can be relied to knock down 2/5 every night, that balance will help the team even more.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Dellavedova
PG
Last week: 4 GP: 26.5 mins/13.0 pts/1.5 rebs/3.3 astsLast rank: 5
Aside from seeing his shooting improve, it was just another solid week for Dellavedova. Also, already got this one lined up for his first game-winner for the Bucks: Matthew Dellav-it’s-ova.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Monroe
C
Last week: 4 GP: 21.3 mins/10.0 pts/7.5 rebs/1.5 astsLast rank: 4
He also shot 50% from the floor this week, which is not a number to scoff at.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jabari Parker
PF
Last week: 4 GP: 32.5 mins/21.8 pts/5.5 rebs/2.0 astsLast rank: 3
In accordance with his aggressive attitude in the past four games, this allowed him to reach the free throw line with much more consistency, as he attempted seven foul shots in each contest.
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Giannis Antetokounmpo
SF
Last week: 4 GP: 33.3 mins/19.0 pts/7.8 rebs/6.7 astsLast rank: 1
All jokes aside, I want to wish Giannis a happy birthday and I think I can speak on behalf of my fellow Bucks’ fans when I say that we are all eager to continue watching him play and grow in Milwaukee.
The Greek Freak had another great week, leading the team in almost every statistical category. With that, he once again can be crowned with the #1 spot on this week’s Power Rankings.
Check back next week for another edition of the Bucks’ Player Power Rankings!
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