Defensive Concerns for All-Bench Units
Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers spoke candidly on Monday about the defensive shortcomings of his all-bench lineups. “A lot,” he responded when asked what they could improve defensively during a pregame media session in Indianapolis. Rivers noted that this unit struggles with rebounding, ball guarding, handling pick-and-rolls, and tends to commit excessive fouls.
Rivers’ Strategy and Its Impact
Though his comments were blunt, Rivers lightened the mood with a joke, acknowledging the current challenges of using an all-bench unit. Despite having concerns, he has continued to rely heavily on these lineups through the first eight games of the season, setting the league standard for all-bench minutes played.
Comparative Bench Unit Usage
Data from PBP Stats shows that Rivers has fielded all-bench lineups for a league-high 45 minutes, far exceeding the second-place Washington Wizards with 30 minutes. The Bucks had not utilized this strategy to such an extent in previous seasons, ranking 13th and 18th in all-bench minutes last year and the year before, respectively.
Historical Context and Strategy Evolution
In the past, Rivers has successfully implemented similar strategies with other teams. During the 2020-21 season, the Philadelphia 76ers led in all-bench minutes, while his final seasons with the LA Clippers also saw effective bench units. Rivers commented, “I like it when it works,” indicating that the potential is there when execution aligns.
Current Performance Insights
This season, however, the Bucks’ all-bench units have recorded a defensive rating of 124.7, which is concerning. While they initially managed to score well, their offensive rating has since plummeted to 95.7. This drop has led to opponents outscoring them significantly, highlighting the urgent need for improvement.
Comparison with Previous Successful Models
Rivers’ choice to utilize all-bench configurations may draw inspiration from the 2021-22 Denver Nuggets, who similarly thrived without their second-leading scorer. That team effectively utilized their starting lineup to offset the struggles of their bench, raising questions about whether the Bucks are adopting a comparable strategy this season.
Future Considerations and Decisions Ahead
As the Bucks navigate their current performance challenges, Rivers must weigh the effectiveness of his all-bench and starter units. While there’s no urgent need for drastic changes, the underperformance of both units necessitates reflection and potential adjustments in coming games.
