First warning signs for the Bucks defense

During the first few seconds in Toronto, the Bucks looked well in place on defense. But it was only an illusion. The minutes will pass and the defense will crumble, leaving spaces and shots open.

The 2021 champions conceded a 22-8 to start the match and will chase the score throughout the game.

Result: 130 points scored at 56% shooting success by the Raptors, who were nevertheless one of the worst attacks in the league in this first week of competition. A big underperformance therefore.

“We weren’t good at defending to stay in front of the ball. We took too many points in the racket,” regrets Adrian Griffin for The Athleticseeing that the Raptors scored 66 points in the racket of his troops. “For 3-pointers, they just went in and out. We have to contain the penetrations, be more disciplined, because there have been too many. »

Transitions too easy, rebounds left to the opponent

Milwaukee’s new coach wants to install a new defense and there is bound to be an adjustment period, especially after losing such a valuable asset as Jrue Holiday in the field. But in this poor start to the match, and in the meeting more generally, the Bucks were not completely lost, they especially lacked impact and intensity.

The withdrawal, in difficulty since the start of the season, was not seriously ensured, leaving Toronto to score 26 points on the counter-attack.

“Many try to do the right things, and sometimes someone has to ignite the spark for others to follow. We did it in this match, but we didn’t follow through.” notes Giannis Antetokounmpo. “When we had good shots and easy baskets on offense, on defense, we weren’t able to make any stops. I insist: at times, I think that the guys have to impose their will, so that the others follow behind and so that we can build on this energy. »

Another problem for the Bucks: blocking more on the rebound. Because Darko Rajakovic’s players took 15 offensive rebounds (for 21 points scored on a second chance). And Milwaukee had already left 13 to the Hawks…

“In recent years, the Raptors have always been a very good offensive rebounding team,” recalls Adrian Griffin, well placed to know this as a former assistant to Nick Nurse. “We expected it, we didn’t follow the instructions. Basketball is about fundamentals to respect, like blocking rebounds. We weren’t able to recover long rebounds. They got second chances and that blocked our comeback. »

The Bucks are the second worst defense in the league!

Despite this difficulty in holding the rebound, the coach was deprived of Brook Lopez in the second half. The pivot only played five minutes… “I put on Khris Middleton and tried a small five. That’s all. Brook didn’t do anything wrong. Khris had minutes left, so I wanted to throw him”the technician justifies himself.

Clearly, the Milwaukee coach and defense have been slipping since the start of the season. With 119 points conceded over 100 possessions, it is even the second worst in the league, behind the Pacers who have just taken 155 against Boston.

Worrying for a candidate for the title who has established himself as a reference in this field with Mike Budenholzer. Should we already sound the alarm?

“We need to be clearer about what we want to achieve in defense and who we let attack us, because we have to make choices. We can’t stop everyone. We must find solutions because for the moment, we are not there. I hope we will be better in the future, but if we keep this state of mind, we won’t be.” announces Giannis Antetokounmpo. “The hardest part is remaining patient,” tempers Damian Lillard. “We know that it is a process that takes time. Sometimes it will be ugly, sometimes it will look like our potential. However, no one is happy and it is obviously frustrating. »