Bucks Stock Market: Milwaukee has a howler against the Wolves
The Bucks dropped a game against the Timberwolves that was frustratingly winnable.
The Bucks Stock Market is a fictitious market run by the GSPN crew that tracks player stock “movement” following the conclusion of every game. Here’s the spreadsheet logging the game-by-game results.
In only their second home game this season, the Milwaukee Bucks had a dreadful performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now in fairness, the Bucks were once again without Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez, while the Wolves were shooting the lights out early in an effort to rebound from their embarrassing performance against the Zion-less New Orleans Pelicans. But this is a game that Milwaukee could have and should have won. Sure, the shotmaking just wasn’t there for Milwaukee, but they were not winning the rebounding battle or the hustle battle, which ended up being their downfall.
Giannis Antetokounmpo 📈📈
It is a rare occurrence for a player to earn two up stocks in a loss, but Giannis is unique. The only reason that Milwaukee had a sliver of hope to win this game was due to Antetokounmpo. 40 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks was the stat line for the two-time MVP, and honestly, he should have had more than seven assists. Teammates were putting up air balls after he delivered them wide-open shots, which is no fault of Giannis. It was an absolutely dominant performance by all measures, all that was missing was the win.
Rodney Hood📈
After a rough first outing with the team during their road trip, Rodney Hood was the lone bright spot out of Milwaukee’s rotation players. I found it very interesting that Budenholzer was letting Hood be the primary ball handler in some bench units, as it allows him to be attack and get back to his former self. Will that hold up once Jrue comes back so George Hill is the reserve point guard and Justin Robinson is out of the rotation? Only time will tell.
Khris Middleton📉
OOF. We have all seen inefficient Khris games, it’s just a part of the experience. However, his performance against the Wolves felt especially errant. Somehow only credited with one turnover (likely home cooking from the score keeper), Middleton was trying to force himself into a rhythm with difficult shots and drives directly into the heart of the defense and it did not end well. It feels like he’s trying to shoulder too many playmaking responsibilities with Jrue still on the sidelines, so hopefully this subsides when the team gets healthy.
The Milwaukee Bucks will try to rebound from this performance on Saturday, October 30th when they take on the Spurs in the second game of this three-game home stand.
Bucks not named Giannis hit 24.4% from 3 in this game. While frustrating I can't help but be encouraged that this injured team can play so poorly, but still be within two to win a game.