The Milwaukee Bucks’ season may only be four games in, but their 1-3 record has fans feeling uneasy. After a strong opening win against the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee has struggled to maintain momentum, with defensive lapses and execution issues leading to three consecutive losses. While it’s natural to worry, it’s also important to remember that the NBA season is long, and early struggles don’t define a team’s fate. Here are three critical areas the Bucks need to address to get back on track and build momentum moving forward.
Three Adjustments the Bucks Need After Three Straight Losses
Tighten Up Perimeter Defense Against Guards
One glaring issue has been the Bucks’ inability to contain opposing guards, as they have consistently put up big numbers. After shutting down Tyrese Maxey in the opener, Milwaukee has since allowed Coby White, Cam Thomas, Dennis Schroder, and Payton Pritchard to have high-scoring games. The upcoming schedule won’t get any easier, with matchups against elite guards like Ja Morant, Darius Garland, and Donovan Mitchell.
To address this, Doc Rivers could consider giving more minutes to younger, athletic players like Andre Jackson Jr., whose quickness could better counter high-energy guards. If relying on the current roster isn’t enough, Milwaukee may need to explore trade options to bring in a defensive specialist capable of handling speedy guards.
Improve Defensive Rebounding and Limit Second-Chance Points
Rebounding, particularly on the defensive end, has been a weak spot for the Bucks. Despite having a frontcourt that includes Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis, Milwaukee is near the bottom in securing defensive rebounds. Opponents have capitalized on this, with the Nets scoring 21 second-chance points in the game against Milwaukee. The Bucks’ inability to limit offensive boards gives opponents extra possessions, making it harder for Milwaukee to control games.
Rivers has two main options to address this. He can adjust rotations to include younger, athletic players like Tyler Smith or Chris Livingston, who have shown rebounding potential in limited preseason minutes. While they haven’t seen much regular-season action, both players demonstrated some capability on the boards in preseason: Smith grabbed 10 rebounds in one outing against Dallas, while Livingston had four rebounds in a game against Detroit. Though neither has significant experience, their energy and physicality could help the Bucks cut down on costly second-chance opportunities.
Alternatively, Rivers could emphasize a team-wide focus on boxing out and aggressive rebounding discipline to improve in this area. Without these adjustments, the Bucks risk continuing to give up valuable possessions.
Reduce Turnovers and Focus on Efficient Ball Movement
Turnovers have hampered Milwaukee’s offensive flow, with missteps by key players like Giannis and Portis frequently leading to fast-break opportunities for opponents. The Bucks need better spacing and ball movement to generate high-quality shots and reduce forced plays.
Rivers has acknowledged this need, and implementing a more controlled, simplified offensive strategy could help Milwaukee avoid unforced errors. By focusing on efficient ball movement and making each possession count, the Bucks can improve their scoring consistency and better set up their defense on the other end.
What’s Next for the Bucks After Early Losses?
It’s still early in the season, and the Bucks have plenty of time to make adjustments. Addressing these three critical areas—perimeter defense, rebounding, and ball control—could help Milwaukee stabilize their play and avoid falling further behind. With their talent, the Bucks are fully capable of turning things around, but they’ll need to commit to these changes to build momentum in the coming games.
