The Milwaukee Bucks have been infamous for giving up a lot of three pointers… in fact they’ve given up the most three pointers for the last 4 consecutive seasons. The reason? Coach Mike Budenholzer’s drop coverage defense. The drop coverage is effective in limiting shots at the rim, but it allows a ton of three pointers. This major flaw in Coach Bud’s system allowed the Bucks to get killed from behind the arc in the 2019 NBA playoffs versus the Toronto Raptors. And, the 2020 bubble playoffs against the Miami Heat. Bud was heavily criticized and on the coaching hotseat. But, he silenced the doubters with a ring in 2021, he made much improved in game adjustments…but the Bucks got kind of lucky. Both Kyrie Irving and James Harden went down in their series against the Brooklyn Nets, which was a very losable series for the Bucks. Nonetheless, they won and put a ring on their finger. However, the Bucks endured some injuries of their own in the 2021-22 season, after Khris Middleton went down with an injury in the Chicago Bulls series, that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2022 NBA playoffs. Without Kmidd, The Boston Celtics were able to once again expose the Bucks glaring defensive flaws in defending the 3 ball… breaking their own franchise record for team three pointers in a single game TWICE during that series. Fast-forward to the present day and Budenholzer and his staff have changed their ways… they plan on staying in drop coverage, but putting more of an emphasis on contesting the three point shot. If the Bucks are able to execute this at a high level, their top tier defensive presence should be restored, and Giannis just might get his second ring in 2023…
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6 Comments
Love these vids
good vid, perfectly described the previous situation for non-bucks fans that may not know why us bucks fans are always so mad about this issue lol.
First clip miss my boy thon @kolb
The only issue I have with this drop zone coverage defense is that Bobby Portis, Giannis, and Brook Lopez might miss out on some key opportunities to boxout for rebounds.
Also, you are absolutely correct when you say that the Warriors would have gave the Bucks issues had if they made the Finals.
Basically, to summarize this video, Jason Kidd and Mike Budenholzer both have very different philosophies when it comes to playing defense. Kidd is more in favor of on-ball perimeter defense, while Budenholzer is more in favor of off-ball interior defense.