Milwaukee Bucks Power Rankings: Gauging Full Roster After First 6 Weeks
With the first six weeks of the season a thing of the past, these probably aren't the Bucks you were looking for.
New head coach Jason Kidd has the young roster playing fundamentally sound basketball and competing almost every time they step onto the floor. His methods of coaching are far from traditional—such as the irregular lineup rotations—but, to this point, his guys are buying in.
Rookie Jabari Parker, from a numbers perspective, isn't having the fantastic start some envisioned, and Kendall Marshall hasn't come close to snagging any playing time away from Brandon Knight.
And, regardless of how it's working, it is.
Nearly every player on the roster has contributed something meaningful, at some point, over the first month-and-a-half of action, and no player has complained about his role.
That itself is quite the feat, seeing as only Knight is averaging more than 30 minutes per game.
Even with the team playing well as a whole, though, certain individuals have stood out more than others.
Let's take a look at who those players might be by starting from the bottom of the power rankings and working our way up to the best Buck through the first six weeks.
* All statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference and current through Dec. 1 *
The Rest of the Bunch
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No. 15: Damien Inglis
Not much can be said yet about the rookie from France since he has yet to suit up in a Bucks uniform. Out with a foot injury, Inglis probably won't see the court until 2015 at the earliest. And even if he is fully healthy by then, it's hard to envision Kidd throwing a new face into a mix that has otherwise been working extremely well.
No. 14: Johnny O'Bryant
Much like Inglis, Johnny O'Bryant has yet to step foot on the floor during the regular season for the Bucks.
When he does, he will provide a needed scoring option in the post, though his minutes will almost certainly be limited.
The further the season moves forward without guys like Inglis and O'Bryant seeing playing time, the less likely it is that they'll contribute anything significant to the Bucks this season, especially if the team is in playoff contention.
He might be a decent piece for the future, but right now, O'Bryant is hardly valuable to Milwaukee.
No. 13: Nate Wolters
Wolters had a productive rookie season in 2013-14, averaging 7.2 points and 3.2 assists while committing just 1.0 turnover per game. He also shot a respectable 43.7 percent from the floor and filled in nicely when Brandon Knight went down early in the year with an injury.
However, 2014-15 has been a different story to this point.
Wolters has appeared in just five games, totaling 87 minutes. The youngster, for whatever reason, hasn't been able to consistently get onto the floor in Jason Kidd's system.
With Knight playing extremely well and Jerryd Bayless soaking up most of the minutes at point guard off the bench, one has to wonder whether or not Wolters will see much playing time this season.
It's difficult to put a finger on just what he can provide, given his lack of playing time, but should the Bucks get hit by the injury bug, they should feel somewhat comfortable knowing that Wolters is hanging out on the bench.
No. 12: Kendall Marshall
Kendall Marshall, another backup point guard, was signed during the offseason; some believed that he might challenge Knight for the starting role.
Fast forward a month, and that certainly hasn't been the case.
After having a great season with the Los Angeles Lakers a year ago, averaging 8.0 points and 8.8 assists in just 29.0 minutes per game, Marshall has hardly seen the floor for the Bucks.
Appearing in just nine games to this point, Marshall's role has yet to be defined. Like Wolters, he is vying for minutes in a lineup that has several other point guards.
What makes Marshall's status the most interesting, however, is the fact that he is, without question, the best passing point guard of the bunch, and his playmaking ability could certainly be utilized, if nothing else, off the bench.
If Knight struggles, expect Marshall to see more minutes. But until that moment, it doesn't appear as though he'll be playing a key role in Milwaukee's campaign this year.
No. 11: John Henson
Like Marshall, power forward John Henson provides the Bucks with skills that can't be found elsewhere on the roster. And, like Marshall's lack of playing time, Henson's is limited too; he's averaging just 12.2 minutes.
With excellent length and the ability to finish around the basket, Henson gives the Bucks their best low-post scoring threat. It doesn't always look pretty, but it gets the job done.
And for a team with virtually no scoring presence in the paint, his lack of minutes is truly perplexing.
A recent ankle injury hasn't helped things, but it'll be interesting to see what Henson's playing time will look like when he gets back to 100 percent.
And let's hope he does see the floor, because the Bucks could desperately use a scoring option in the post.
10. Jared Dudley
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A veteran who can shoot the ball a bit, Jared Dudley has been relatively quiet for the Bucks this season but continues to earn minutes because of his leadership skills.
Dudley has started nine games on the year and is averaging 18.8 minutes of playing time. During those minutes, he's posting 5.0 points on 45.2 percent shooting while hitting 41.5 percent of his three-point attempts.
And while those numbers certainly aren't anything to write home about, they're decent contributions for a role player who was brought in more for his veteran presence than anything else.
Dudley likely won't make many big waves in the power rankings this season, but if he can continue to fill his role well, he won't find himself dropping any either.
9. Jerryd Bayless
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The numbers Jerryd Bayless has posted to this point aren't exactly great, but he has been a spark off the bench, both emotionally and from a playing standpoint.
Scoring 6.0 points per game on 42.3 percent shooting, the veteran is also averaging 2.1 assists in 18.8 minutes.
Not only that, but he is an energizing spark off the Bucks' bench and carries a feisty, chippy attitude.
And while that might sound cliche, sometimes that's exactly what a team needs, especially coming off the bench. He doesn't have as much potential to impact the game with his play as guys like Kendall Marshall do, but he may have a competitive edge on the likes of Marshall and Nate Wolters.
That could be the reason Kidd is giving him more time.
And as long as he logs the minutes, Bayless should provide the team with exactly what it expects: hustle, occasional scoring and leadership.
8. Zaza Pachulia
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What else would you expect from a veteran?
Zaza Pachulia might be overpaid, but the veteran big man is doing his job to spell Larry Sanders without a drastic drop-off in production.
Averaging 6.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists, Pachulia is doing his part to make sure the Bucks don't lose any production off the bench when it comes to the center position. And while the numbers could be better, it is an encouraging sign.
Pachulia isn't someone who gets intimidated easily—he provides the Bucks with a presence in the post who isn't afraid to mix it up and get physical.
The veteran, contract aside, is the perfect backup center by all means.
And if he can continue to produce how he has been over the first six weeks, the team will be all the better for it.
7. Khris Middleton
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Khris Middleton's 2013-14 season was a welcome surprise, and he was arguably the team's most consistent scorer. However, a slow start to this season and heightened expectations have caused him to fall a little bit in these power rankings.
Middleton is shooting just 40.7 percent from the field while averaging 9.2 points and 3.5 rebounds. Those aren't the numbers someone who has started seven games should be putting up.
However, Middleton has now been relegated to a role coming off of the bench. And while that doesn't mean that he isn't of any value, it is a wake-up call to remind him that he needs to be more productive.
If he can be, the Bucks will continue to see success.
If he can't, it will be an added blow to an offense that already has a tough enough time putting the ball in the basket.
6. Ersan Ilyasova
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Ersan Ilyasova's 2013-14 season wasn't the one fans were expecting after a very good 2012-13 campaign. And even though he was hampered by injuries a year ago, he still didn't perform anywhere near the level he had in the several seasons prior.
And as the first few weeks of 2014-15 passed by, it appeared as though things weren't going to get any better.
However, over the past nine games, Ilyasova has started to hit his stride.
During that run, the 27-year-old Turk is averaging 15.0 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting a scorching 55.1 percent from the floor and an equally good 43.3 percent from three-point territory.
It's no secret that the Bucks struggle on offense, so anything they can get from Ilyasova—who is logging just 18.6 minutes per game—is a welcome bonus.
Not only does Ilyasova's playing well help the team in the immediate future, but it also raises his trade value should management want to make him available come the trade deadline.
As long as he can stay healthy and hit shots, the versatile power forward should solidify himself in the rotation.
5. O.J. Mayo
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O.J. Mayo's 2013-14 season was arguably the worst of his career.
He shot the ball poorly, he essentially was called fat by Rudy Gay and he didn't like the direction then-head coach Larry Drew was leading the team in.
However, Mayo's attitude and work ethic have seemingly changed this season. His weight loss is very visible and he is showing more signs of leadership than he did in 2013-14. With all that said, though, he has still been incredibly streaky.
To date, Mayo is averaging 11.0 points, 3.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds while connecting on just 39.3 percent of his shot attempts and a horrendous 29.8 percent from behind the three-point line. Considering that shooting has always been his biggest asset, his struggles aren't encouraging.
Still, he has been vital to the team's success early on. He is second in assists per game and has typically been good when the Bucks win.
If Mayo can develop any consistency as the season progresses, he will solidify his spot at shooting guard and will help the team become more consistent offensively.
4. Larry Sanders
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You wouldn't think it by looking at his stat line, but Larry Sanders comes in at No. 4 in the power rankings for the season's first six weeks.
The big man is slowly creeping his way back up to his 2012-13 standards and, although he isn't there quite yet, it shouldn't take him much longer to get back to that point after missing all but 23 games a year ago.
Sanders is still not producing much on the offensive end, but he has proven to be aggressive on the boards and is still managing to block 1.7 shots per game. He clearly is still a noticeable distance from returning to full form, but he has been crucial to the team's success early on.
Having an interior presence on the defensive end is nothing to scoff at—and while he isn't much of a threat offensively, he still provides rebounds and can score in a pinch.
If he can remain out of foul trouble and keep his temperament in check, Sanders should continue shaping back into form.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Giannis Antetokounmpo wowed fans with his elite athleticism during his rookie season. Now, the Greek Freak is taking that a step further by developing his offensive game and playing with more control.
Thus far, the 19-year-old is averaging 11.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 47.8 percent from the floor, up from 41.4 percent a season ago. And while the youngster is still struggling with his jump shot—he's hitting just 23.5 percent of those—he has become smarter with his shot selection, as only 68 of his 184 field-goal attempts have been jumpers.
And, of course, his length causes a problem for almost anyone.
Antetokounmpo is still incredibly raw and looks much better some nights than others, but he is well on his way to becoming a consistent, top-tier player. That will be especially true if he can continue to develop his offensive game.
Even now, though, watching his game is a treat.
2. Jabari Parker
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The numbers Jabari Parker has posted through the first six weeks of the season probably aren't quite what some people had expected.
He's not scoring 20 points a night and he isn't taking games over.
However, that doesn't mean Parker's rookie season isn't off to a very respectable start. Better yet, you could look at the fact that he's taking just 10.6 shots per game and say that he's been unselfish.
Given his demeanor, though, that shouldn't be surprising.
And with averages of 12.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 47.4 percent shooting, it's not like he's putting up horrendous numbers. In fact, he's converting a higher percentage of his shots than I expected him to.
There is certainly plenty of room for improvement, especially on the defensive side of the ball and in terms of his conditioning, but make no mistake about it: Parker is well on his way to becoming a star.
As the season progresses and he gains more experience, expect to see Parker excel even more.
1. Brandon Knight
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No member of the Bucks can claim more credit for the team's early success than Brandon Knight.
The 23-year-old point guard has started the season in strong fashion, averaging 17.9 points, 6.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting a solid 44.6 percent from the floor and 41.1 percent from behind the three-point line.
Taking 13.6 shots per game, Knight is being slightly more selective than he was a season ago when he took 15.2 shots per game while averaging less than a minute more of playing time. Additionally, he has developed into a better passer, albeit still turning the ball over far too much.
Aside from that obvious area for improvement, it'd be hard to criticize his performance thus far.
Milwaukee's strong start has been a team effort, for sure, but Knight has been the primary force on offense, and without him, the team would likely not be in the position it currently is based on that offensive production alone.
If Knight can keep it up, the Bucks may be able to sustain this solid start over the course of the season.
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