Giannis, Monroe leading Bucks' defensive turnaround
Greg Monroe and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been two of the Milwaukee Bucks' to defenders since the All-Star break.
The Milwaukee Bucks are buckling down on defense at just the right time.
With the playoffs just eight games away the Bucks are playing their best defense of the season, and are holding the opposition to 100.7 points per game since the All-Star break.
It's one of the largest defensive turnarounds in the NBA.
| Team | Pre-PPG | Post-PPG | Diff. |
| Raptors | 104.3 | 98.3 | -6.0 |
| Pacers | 106.4 | 101.6 | -4.8 |
| Bucks | 105.4 | 100.7 | -4.7 |
| Warriors | 105.4 | 100.7 | -4.5 |
| Trail Blazers | 110.1 | 105.8 | -4.3 |
All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo has led the way.
Antetokounmpo is just the sixth player in the last 10 years to rack up at least 120 blocks and 120 steals, joining perennial All-Star Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks and Noel Nerlens of the Dallas Mavericks.
| Season | Player | Team | Steals | Blocks |
| 2016-17 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks | 120 | 137 |
| 2015-16 | Paul Milsap | Hawks | 147 | 139 |
| 2014-15 | Nerlens Noel | 76ers | 133 | 142 |
| 2009-10 | Josh Smith | Hawks | 130 | 172 |
| 2007-08 | Josh Smith | Hawks | 123 | 227 |
| 2006-07 | Shawn Marion | Suns | 156 | 122 |
But he isn't the only one.
Center Greg Monroe leads the NBA with 85 steals off the bench, and is averaging 1.2 steals per game this season.
| Player | Team | Steals |
| Greg Monroe | Bucks | 85 |
| Tyler Johnson | Heat | 81 |
| Manu Ginobili | Spurs | 79 |
| Jordan Clarkson | Lakers | 78 |
| P.J. Tucker | Raptors | 77 |
Statistics courtesy of STATS LLC
