Three Stats Creating the Bucks' Horrible Defense Thus Far
If you want the simple reason as to why the Milwaukee Bucks are 6-10 to start the much-hyped 2015-16 season, it's the fact they're allowing 106.1 points per game (5th-most in the NBA).
That's nearly 9 points more per contest from a year ago, when they allowed the 8th-fewest points in the league (97.4 points/game).
Things were rough in the first couple of weeks, especially as players were missing, but it's actually gotten worse recently. The Bucks have allowed 100+ points in 6 of their last 7 non-overtime games. That's a recipe for disaster.
As with any disease - this one being the prevention of baskets - there are often numerous factors leading to the overarching problem. While we're only 16 games into this campaign, there are 3 telling statistics causing problems on the defensive end.
(These stats are counting games through Friday night)
Opponents' Offensive Rebounding - 12.9 per Game
Milwaukee has allowed the most offensive rebounds in the NBA with their opponents collecting just under 13 per contest. Giving up so many second-chance opportunities physically and mentally impacts a team, and it's been a consistent problem for the Bucks.
And if you've watched much this year, it seems like they can never grab that defensive board when they need it the most. Furthermore, when the enemy does snag an offensive rebound, it feels like it always becomes either an easy put-back or an open 3-pointer.
If Milwaukee could just prevent a few errant shots per game from finding its way back into the offense's hands, you'd immediately see an improvement on the scoreboard.
Percentage of Opponents' 3-Point Baskets With an Assist - 94%
This may sound a bit confusing, but it basically amounts to this. When a shot is made, there is either an assist or no assist. When the Bucks give up 3-pointers, 94% of the time it came on a direct pass to the shooter.
This is the highest percentage allowed in the NBA and it's not even close. The next worst defense is at 90.3%, while everyone else is below 90% - with 6 teams under 80% allowed.
The assist likely means the shooter is in rhythm and often open, a deadly combination for a professional basketball player.
Multiple things can cause this: slow reactions, poor help defense or switching, failing to work through screens and - as a complement to above - giving up offensive rebounds.
When an opponent gets an offensive board, the defense is often in scramble mode, out of position, and many times fail to pick up the open man. Stats one and two have definitely worked together to kill the Bucks.
Their Offensive Pace is Too Slow - 92.7
While technically, the "pace factor" is an estimate of possessions a team has per 48 minutes, it certainly can affect a club's defense. The Bucks' 92.7 pace factor is the 2nd-lowest in the NBA, and it's hurting the defensive production on the other end.
Last season, the Bucks were 13th in pace, but many were concerned about their turnovers due to them trying to go "too quick." That was an understandable issue and maybe a reason for this year's slow down. However, this group plays better when they're fast and loose - on both ends.
While it can lead to more turnovers on offense (and create possessions/points for the opposition), the Bucks' slower play has only slightly minimized turnovers this year.
Despite the addition of Greg Monroe, Milwaukee leans on quick, long, athletic players to score and defend at high levels. The Bucks need to up the tempo, create a fast-paced environment, and force teams to play their game. When they're bogged down in the half court on either end, it gets ugly.
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Again, we're not even a quarter of the way through the season, so one hopes some of these numbers will regress to the mean. If they do, you'll start to see a more consistent product on the floor - and one that puts up more wins as they limit points.
On the flipside, if these stats remain in the same neighborhood come the end of January, it's indicative of a larger problem with the team's structure and/or makeup.