With two-thirds of the roster born after 1990, the Bucks are a young, growing team trying to develop an identity and a franchise that has to figure out which players have a future in Milwaukee. Every Wednesday for the rest of the season, FOX Sports Wisconsin's James Carlton takes a closer look at the players that are still on their rookie contracts, measuring, highlighting and evaluating their progress.
This is the 18th edition of Young Bucks Tracker.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO (age 20, second season)
Statistical averages, past week (season): 27.7 minutes (31.4), 10.0 points (12.7), 4.3 rebounds (6.7), 1.7 assists (2.5), 0.7 blocks (1.1), 0.0 steals (0.9), 41.4 FG% (49.7), 0.0 3PT% (17.5).
Advanced stats, season: 15.0 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 55.7 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 18.4 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes).
Trending: Down
Noted: Antetokounmpo was quietly efficient in Milwaukee's first two wins this week, important victories over the Bulls and Celtics -- although one could argue the team needs more from its budding star than quiet efficiency -- but he was one of the main culprits in the Bucks' frustrating home loss to the lowly Magic. In that game Saturday, the Greek Freak missed nine of 12 shots, scoring only eight points, with three rebounds and zero assists; Antetokounmpo played just 28 minutes, accumulating five fouls for the second straight game, in a contest in which he was needed for much more. It could have been a case of fatigue for the second-year player who averaged 37 minutes in three games last week.
MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS (age 23, second season)
Statistical averages, past week (season): 34.0 minutes (32.8), 12.3 points (14.2), 8.3 rebounds (5.5), 6.0 assists (6.8), 0.7 blocks (0.5), 2.7 steals (1.6), 38.1 FG% (38.1), 33.3 3PT% (23.8).
Advanced stats, season: 13.0 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 44.9 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 25.1 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes).
Trending: Up
Noted: It was a (slightly) more promising week for MCW, who is still trying to figure things out and fit into this Bucks offense. After a woeful week in the last Tracker (8.3 points on 26.9 percent shooting with 2.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists), Carter-Williams' field-goal percentage this time around was way up -- approaching acceptable for a point guard -- and he hit the glass like crazy. He also played about 14 more minutes a game this week. That may be a sign head coach Jason Kidd trusts him more, but MCW's 14 turnovers to 18 total assists (a 1.29 ratio) would indicate he's not taking better control of the ball or valuing possessions any more than before. He's still a potential-filled, enticing and vexing question mark at a critical position.
JOHN HENSON (age 24, third season)
Statistical averages, past week (season): 20.3 minutes (18.3), 10.3 points (7.1), 7.0 rebounds (4.7), 1.3 assists (0.8), 2.3 blocks (2.0), 0.3 steals (0.4), 71.4 FG% (56.4), 0.0 3PT% (0.0).
Advanced stats, season: 18.3 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 57.8 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 17.0 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes).
Trending: Up
Noted: A strong week for Henson, who did very well the things that he usually does when he plays the minutes he did (rebounds and blocks) but also provided some high-percentage and much-needed scoring. That Henson was able to total seven blocks and commit just three personal fouls in three games (season averages of 2.0 and 2.2, respectively) is a testament to his smart, controlled and yet hugely disruptive defense. Even as his young teammates appear to tire down the stretch, Henson continues to be the Bucks' most efficient player.
KHRIS MIDDLETON (age 23, third season)
Statistical averages, past week (season): 34.0 minutes (30.1), 14.0 points (13.2), 4.7 rebounds (4.4), 2.3 assists (2.2), 0.0 blocks (0.1), 1.3 steals (1.5), 34.0 FG% (45.7), 20.0 3PT% (40.2).
Advanced stats, season: 15.3 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 55.4 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 18.7 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes).
Trending: Down
Noted: Last week, it was suggested here that Middleton was tired; this week, his numbers and simply watching him would seem to confirm that theory. His jump shot no longer passes the eye test, as Middleton has lost lift and sometimes kicks a foot out (and not to try and draw a foul). He's been an accurate shooter all season, but this week his percentages from all distances dropped significantly -- his 3-point accuracy was half of his season average. Partly, Middleton has become more of an attacker on offense and a focal point of opposing defenses since becoming the Bucks' go-to scorer after the Brandon Knight trade, so he's not simply spotting up and taking open shots from the corners as often as he used to. But it's hard to believe the drop-off is not also related to exhaustion and an expanded role.
Did not play due to injury or coach's decision:
TYLER ENNIS (age 20, first season)
DAMIEN INGLIS (age 19, first season)
JOHNNY O'BRYANT (age 21, first season): Played 12 total minutes in one game this week, recording seven points, zero rebounds and one assist.
JABARI PARKER (age 19, first season)
MILES PLUMLEE (age 26, third season): Played eight total minutes in two games this week, recording zero points, one rebound and one assist.
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