The offensive rebound, the fatal weapon of the Bucks

After almost three weeks of competition, the Bucks still haven’t lost. Seven matches, seven victories, including a huge Giannis Antetokounmpo who averages 33.6 points and an iron defense, symbolized by Brook Lopez.

However, offensively, the 2021 champions do not show an impressive level of play. For example, they are only 32% successful at 3-pts. “Some evenings, we are not going to put our award-winning shots”warns Mike Budenholzer at The Athletic. “So you have to find ways to win the matches. »

This was the case against the Pistons lately. The Greek and his crew were unable to put in outside for the majority of the game, but they held their lead without shaking. How ? Because Detroit players have already lost a lot of balls, but especially with the 15 offensive rebounds swallowed during the game.

It’s no accident that the Bucks have decided to focus on this area this season. “We insisted on it”, confirms Jrue Holiday. The numbers prove it: the last two seasons, they took 10 offensive rebounds per game, while this season, they are averaging 13.

In addition to the interiors of course, who are closest to the basket, we therefore see the exteriors moving more towards the circle once the shot is attempted.

“It’s a way of making an effort. The backs are probably not going to have the ball, but we have to try. explains Bobby Portis, the team’s leading offensive rebounder with three strikes per game. “We need these efforts,” continues Brook Lopez. “You don’t see that in the statistics, but we have a lot of players doing them in recent matches. The ball thus remains alive. »

Open shots for the Bucks, additional fatigue for the opponents

The bulk of the work is obviously done by Portis and Lopez. The latter attracts opposing interiors, who sometimes have to join forces to hinder him and prevent him from taking the offensive rebound.

“If he can’t have the ball, he pushes it towards the middle of the field and we relaunch the attack. He is good at this exercise because he is so tall, much taller than me. He sees who he can throw the ball to.” notes Portis. “To try to block it, you need two or three players,” remarks Holiday. “So we can then have open prize shots. »

By swallowing 13 offensive rebounds per game, the troops of Mike Budenholzer thus offer themselves as many additional possessions, to score even more points and compensate for a lack of address.

“Obviously it’s a good thing for the team to have more possessions, open 3-point shots, we will need them in the big games, in the important moments”, rejoices and announces Portis. “Some shots won’t fall in, but having the offensive rebounds is positive for everyone. »

Even if the shots do not find the target, for Brook Lopez, this shadow work and this pressure on the opponents will have a beneficial effect in the last quarter. “If we keep hammering again and again, the guys will be tired and it will end up paying off, not in the first, second or third quarter, but at the end of the game. By adopting this mentality, we have improved. »