Fansided

Midseason Grades for Each NBA Team

By Cody Williams

Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) and forward Khris Middleton during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 91-87. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) and forward Khris Middleton during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 91-87. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

. 19-25. 13th East. Milwaukee Bucks. D. player. 89

Perhaps the biggest surprise in terms of the playoffs in the 2014-15 season was that the Milwaukee Bucks were able to sneak into the postseason out of the Eastern Conference. Subsequently, as the Bucks added Greg Monroe this offseason and had a full season under Jason Kidd to their credit, Milwaukee was one of the more popular sleeper picks in the NBA coming into their 2015-16 campaign. However, they’ve taken a noticeable step in the wrong direction this season.

While Monroe has helped the Bucks take a step forward offensively, the Bucks have lost the thing that carried them last year in that they are no longer an elite defensive team in this league. In fact, their defense that was so suffocating last season has transformed into one of the worst defenses in the NBA this season. Their identity has shifted from focusing on defense as a strength to something far more ambiguous this season and the success of Milwaukee has declined as a result.

It’s hard not to watch the Bucks and see the talent on the floor and wonder if they aren’t a few tweaks or trades away from again making a push into the playoffs. However, the first half of the season has been a major disappointment for this team as they currently sit near the bottom of the East.

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