Young Bucks Tracker: March 18 edition
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.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO (age 20, second season)
Statistical averages, past week (season): 35.0 minutes (30.7), 14.3 points (12.4), 7.0 rebounds (6.7), 3.3 assists (2.5), 1.3 blocks (1.1), 0.0 steals (1.0), 50.0 FG% (49.4), 25.0 3PT% (17.9).
Advanced stats, season: 15.4 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 55.5 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 18.4 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes).
Trending: Up
MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS (age 23, second season)
Statistical averages, past week (season): 33.0 minutes (33.1), 15.0 points (14.8), 6.3 rebounds (5.7), 4.7 assists (7.0), 1.3 blocks (0.5), 2.3 steals (1.5), 31.1 FG% (38.5), 0.0 3PT% (23.9).
Advanced stats, season: 13.7 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 45.3 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 25.4 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes).
Trending: Down
Noted: Yikes. We heard plenty and saw a bit of MCW's pitiful shooting after he was traded to Milwaukee, but this week it really reared its ugly head. It was a week bookended by a 4-for-13 outing against the Magic and an atrocious 2-for-12 Tuesday night in the loss to the Pelicans. The 28 points on 8-for-12 shooting against Indiana was impressive, especially since five of the baskets came outside (though just barely) the paint. He had a 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio this week.
TYLER ENNIS (age 20, first season)
Statistical averages, past week (season): 22.0 minutes (13.3), 6.5 points (4.4), 1.8 rebounds (1.1), 4.8 assists (2.3), 0.5 blocks (0.2), 0.8 steals (0.5), 33.0 FG% (37.9), 30.8 3PT% (30.3).
Advanced stats, season: 8.0 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 43.7 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 21.2 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes).
Trending: Up
Noted: An interesting week for Ennis, to be sure. After two fairly productive performances off the bench (29 total minutes, 14 points, seven assists against Orlando and Indiana), Ennis started for Carter-Williams against the Grizzlies and played 36 eyebrow-raising minutes. On the one hand, he ran the offense and distributed well, doling out 11 assists to just three turnovers; on the other hand, he shot 3 for 14, including 1 of 5 on 3-pointers. Milwaukee's offensive ship, sinking since the Brandon Knight trade, probably won't right itself with Ennis taking 14 shots against an excellent opposing defense.
JOHN HENSON (age 24, third season)
Statistical averages, past week (season): 18.8 minutes (18.4), 5.5 points (7.2), 5.3 rebounds (4.5), 0.3 assists (0.8), 2.0 blocks (1.9), 0.3 steals (0.4), 60.0 FG% (57.9), 0.0 3PT% (0.0).
Advanced stats, season: 17.9 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 59.5 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 16.6 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes).
Trending: Down
KHRIS MIDDLETON (age 23, third season)
Statistical averages, past week (season): 39.8 minutes (29.1), 17.3 points (12.8), 3.5 rebounds (4.5), 2.8 assists (2.1), 0.3 blocks (0.2), 1.3 steals (1.5), 38.8 FG% (46.6), 47.1 3PT% (42.9).
Advanced stats, season: 15.8 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 56.5 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 18.3 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes).
Trending: Down
Noted: Middleton started the week with his second 30-point performance in three games, leading Milwaukee over Orlando, and followed it up with solid (if higher-than-usual-volume) scoring nights against Indiana and Memphis. But in Tuesday's loss to New Orleans, Middleton had his worst game of the season, shooting 2 of 14 to finish with just four points, four rebounds, two assists and four turnovers. It was the first time he didn't score in double figures since Jan. 31.
MILES PLUMLEE (age 26, third season)
Statistical averages, past week (season): 9.0 minutes (17.5), 2.7 points (4.1), 2.0 rebounds (4.7), 0.0 assists (0.5), 0.3 blocks (1.0), 0.0 steals (0.6), 57.1 FG% (53.6), 0.0 3PT% (0.0).
Advanced stats, season: 13.1 player efficiency rating (based on 15.0 league average), 53.9 true shooting percentage (accounting for free throws and 3-pointers), 16.3 usage rate (possessions used per 40 minutes).
Trending: Up
DAMIEN INGLIS (age 19, first season)
JOHNNY O'BRYANT (age 21, first season): Played 13 minutes in one game this week, recording 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds.
JABARI PARKER (age 19, first season)
Follow James Carlton on Twitter