Since Giannis Antetokounmpo emerged as a consistent MVP contender, the Milwaukee Bucks have grappled with the performance limitations of their point guards, which have hindered the team’s overall potential. Eric Bledsoe and Jrue Holiday struggled offensively, while Damian Lillard faced challenges defensively. It’s difficult not to consider that these players’ notable weaknesses may have significantly impacted the franchise.
This series consists of three chapters, each divided into three sections. One section in each chapter will dissect the point guard from that period (particularly their evident shortcomings), while the other two will analyze additional events during the respective point guard’s time in Milwaukee. Altogether, the chapters will explore the Bucks’ complex trajectory from 2018 to the present, offering a quantitative assessment of how the point guard decisions influenced that path.
Note: This article is written strictly from a results-oriented perspective regarding the front office’s decisions. For instance, reports have suggested that Giannis and GM Jon Horst’s visions have not always aligned. Despite this, Giannis’s preferences have typically prevailed, understandably. While these moves might not yield successful results on the court, they could still be perceived as “successful” because they may contribute to Giannis extending his contract. This angle has been intentionally avoided in this article.
I recognize that team-building is complex, and this narrative serves more as a thought exercise rather than a definitive judgment on the past. Ultimately, I believe that front office decisions should focus solely on maximizing on-court success, even if those decisions contrast with Giannis’s perspectives, as the front office’s responsibility is to formulate winning strategies, and winning is key to retaining the two-time MVP.
Understanding Weak Link Theory and Its Application to Bledsoe, Holiday, and Lillard
My exploration of Milwaukee’s ongoing challenges with one-dimensional point guards leads me to weak link theory. This concept, applicable across multiple sports, posits that the adverse impact of the weakest players on a team outweighs the positive influence of the strongest players. To delve deeper, Owen Phillips elaborates extensively on this theory within his Substack, The F5. From a basketball perspective, weak link theory suggests that a player deficient in defense or shooting will more severely limit a team’s potential than a perfect player can elevate it.
Caitlin Cooper, who covers the Indiana Pacers, recently discussed “playing random” concepts with the team’s coach Rick Carlisle. They talked about the Pacers’ fast-paced game and the demands of 94-foot defense, highlighting the importance of having versatile players without considerable weaknesses who can maintain competitive performance, indirectly emphasizing weak link theory’s relevance in modern basketball:
“The NBA has evolved into a play-hard league. It’s no longer just about a few superstar players. The construction of rosters now prioritizes having more effective players versus a couple of elite players hogging possession.”
— Rick Carlisle
