Fantasy Basketball Team Preview: Milwaukee Bucks (9/3/10)
Sep 3, 2010 Blog
The Milwaukee Bucks finished at 46-36 in 2009, capturing the 6th seed in the East. They lost in the opening round of the playoffs to the talented Atlanta Hawks, but managed to make a good showing pushing the series to the full seven games. So who are these guys and how did they do it?
2010-2011 Projected Depth Chart
PG – Brandon Jennings, Keyon Dooling, Earl Boykins
SG – John Salmons, Chris Douglas-Roberts
SF – Corey Maggette, Carlos Delfino
PF – Drew Gooden, Ersan Ilyasova, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
C – Andrew Bogut, John Brockman, Larry Sanders
Coach Scott Skiles
2009 Team Stats
Pace – #19, 91.7 (Avg. 92.7)
Offensive Rating: #23, 104.9 (Avg. 107.6)
Defensive Rating: #2, 103.1 (Avg. 107.6)
Team eFG%: #25, 48.2 (Avg. 50.1)
Offensive Rebounding: #18, 26.2 (Avg. 26.3)
Defensive Rebounding: #3, 76.4 (Avg. 73.7)
Opponent eFG%: #8, 48.6 (Avg. 50.1)
Points Per Game: #24, 96.0 (Avg. 100.4)
Playing Time and Usage Rate
Usage rate illustrates how big a players role is in the team’s offense.
Player (2009 MPG) Usage Rate (2009/Career)
Jennings (32.6) 26.1/26.1
Salmons (34.9) 19.9/17.9
Maggette (29.7) 26.7/25.5
Gooden (25.1) 21.0/21.4
Bogut (32.3) 23.3/19.0
Ilyasova (23.4) 20.8/20.8
Delfino (30.4) 18.0/17.9
Mbah a Moute (25.7) 12.1/13.3
Jennning was the primary option on offense last season, but the Bucks brought in two above average usage guys in Corey Maggette and Drew Gooden. Somebody’s usage is going to have to get cut with this starting five and I’m guessing that Maggette, Salmons, Gooden and Jennings all take a small dip from last seasons stats while Bogut remains steady. The Bucks were 24th in points per game and bringing in Maggette will certainly help that. Delfino could again get 30 minutes a night since he can backup at SG and SF. Ersan Ilyasova is looking pretty good in the FIBA this summer and could make a push for more minutes in his platoon with Gooden. Mbah a Moute could lose a couple of minutes since he’s now the third option at PF and known more for his defense than scoring. I think Maggette and Gooden will both get about 30 minutes a night and will make nice fantasy sleepers.
Shooting Ability and Shot Location
Player Career eFG% Career Per Game 3PT% Jumper/Inside
Jennings 43.1 1.8/4.7 (37.4%) 76/24
Salmons 49.4 .7/2.0 (36.7%) 72/28
Maggette 48.3 .6/1.8 (32.1) 58/42
Gooden 47.4 .1/.3 (21.4%) 45/55
Bogut 53.2 0/0 16/84
Ilyasova 48.5 .9/2.6 (34.7%) 70/30
Delfino 48.2 1.0/2.7 (36.1%) 77/23
The Bucks were ranked 25th in the league in eFG% and that doesn’t look like it’s going to get much better this season with the addition of Maggette (48.3%) and Gooden (47.4%). Jennings is the biggest drain on the team, and a harm to your fantasy squad, with his 43.1 eFG% (37.1 FG%) on 14.8 shots a game.
The Bucks were 12th in the league in 3 Point Percentage with a 35.6% rate. Jennings (37.4%), Salmons (36.7%), Ilyasova (34.7%) and Delfino (36.1%) are all threats to launch a few threes a night.
Jennings, Salmons and Delfino are all fairly perimeter oriented, however Jennings might be the player who should decrease his jumper while improving his moves to the basket. Maggette is a take it to the basket player and he draws a ton of fouls, so keep this in mind if your league counts free throws made. Bogut is limited to inside scoring and Gooden can hit the jumper if he wants it.
Rebounding Rates
Player Off/Def/Total
Jennings 2.0/10.4/6.0
Salmons 2.5/11.0/6.7
Maggette 4.7/15.2/10.0
Gooden 10.8/22.2/16.4
Bogut 9.8/23.4/16.4
Ilyasova 8.3/20.4/14.1
Mbah a Moute 10.0/16.1/12.9
Delfino 3.9/16.9/10.3
Milwaukee ranked as the 18th best offensive rebounding team, but 3rd best defensive rebounding club. They should again rank in the top 10 in defensive rebounding in 2010. Milwaukee got an excellent rebounder when they signed Drew Gooden. He’s got a rebound rate that rivals Bogut’s and he can clean the offensive glass. Corey Maggette is also a surprisingly good rebounder from the SF spot. The Bucks lose very little when Ilyasova takes over for Gooden and also when Delfino spells Maggette.
Defense
Scott Skiles – Skiles is a defensive minded coach who demands good defensive effort from his players. The Bucks probably won’t make many changes and they should repeat that lofty defensive ranking in 2010.
PG – At 6’1-169, Brandon Jennings has some problems with bigger point guards. He tries to make up for it with his quickness, but his defense is still very weak. I’ve seen some writers praise his defense, but I’m not totally convinced.
SG – Salmons is a solid defender, especially on the perimeter. He’s got some size at 6’7-210, so he’s able to hang with some of the bigger SG’s.
SF – Corey Maggette is an offensive player, so defense isn’t really his game. Carlos Delfino is a much better defender at the SF spot.
PF – Drew Gooden is an average to below average defender. Ersan Ilyasova (6’10) is a high energy player and can be a pesky defender, but he’s more of a perimeter player rather than an inside banger. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is the best PF defender on the team and it’s what gets him on the court, because his offense is poor.
C – Andrew Bogut is a defensive stud and he’s the biggest reason for that #2 ranking. He’s an exellent shotblocker and can defend the rim.