Bucks Test All-Bench Lineups: Impact on Doc Rivers?
Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers is facing challenges with his all-bench lineups this season. During a pregame press session, Rivers emphasized the need for improvement in various defensive aspects of these units. His blunt assessment indicated that the all-bench team struggles with rebounding, ball defense, and committing fouls.
Bucks’ All-Bench Lineup Statistics
Rivers has utilized all-bench lineups more than any other NBA coach, logging a league-leading 45 minutes in these configurations over the first eight games of the season. This approach has been a notable shift from previous seasons.
League Comparison
- Milwaukee Bucks: 45 minutes
- Washington Wizards: 43 minutes
- Miami Heat: 26 minutes
In the 2023-24 season, the Bucks are on pace for over 460 minutes with all-bench configurations. This is a drastic increase from last season, where the team had only 84 all-bench minutes, ranking them 13th in the league.
Defensive Struggles
This season, the Bucks’ all-bench units have a concerning defensive rating of 124.7. Their offensive rating has also declined to 95.7, resulting in opponents outscoring them by 29 points per 100 possessions during these minutes.
Historical Context of All-Bench Lineups
Rivers has a history of employing all-bench units effectively. His previous tenures saw teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and LA Clippers achieve positive net ratings using such strategies. The 76ers, for instance, led the league with 399 all-bench minutes during the 2020-21 season.
Past Performance of All-Bench Units
| Season | Team | Offensive Rating | Defensive Rating | Net Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | LA Clippers | 116 | 107 | 9 |
| 2019-20 | LA Clippers | 108.1 | 106.8 | 1.3 |
| 2020-21 | Philadelphia 76ers | 105.2 | 103.3 | 1.9 |
In light of their current struggles, the Bucks must evaluate their use of all-bench units. While Rivers leans on this tactic, the overall performance of both his starters and bench needs scrutiny. The starters have also faced difficulties, being outscored by 7.6 points per 100 possessions.
Future Considerations for Doc Rivers
As this season progresses, Rivers faces a crucial decision regarding his team’s lineup strategies. The Milwaukee Bucks have shown flashes of potential but must enhance consistency and defensiveness to succeed. The goal is to find a balance that maximizes their strengths while minimizing weaknesses in both their starters and bench players.
