2015-16 Pelicans Opponent Preview: The Milwaukee Bucks
Welcome to the “Pelicans Opponent Preview” series. Before the season starts, I’m going to take every team in the NBA and preview and predict just how the Pelicans will handle them. Here’s all you need to know about how the Pelicans will matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2016.
How the Pelicans handled them last season:
The Pelicans had no trouble with Milwaukee last season. They won both of the two games scheduled against them, mainly because no one could handle Anthony Davis. In the Pelicans first game against the Bucks on March 9th, AD had the greatest offensive game of his career.
As fun as watching AD score 43 points was for me, watching his passing that night was even more exciting. Prior the All-Star break, 25% of AD’s turnovers were a result of him failing to pass out of double teams, but he notched six assists against the Bucks that night passing out of pressured situations and doing his best 2004 Kevin Garnett impression.
As Head Coach Jason Kidd remarked: “He made some shots early that got him going, We started to try to come get him, but when you’re 7-feet tall and can turn and shoot over guys or pass over the double-team, it becomes hard.”
Yes it does Jason, it becomes very hard.
Mar 9, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) holds the ball away from Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
In the Pelicans second game against the Bucks AD wasn’t quite as “on fire” from the field, but the Pelicans still were able to contain the Bucks enough to win by one point. Ersan Ilyasova missed what would have been a game winning three, and Giannis only scored 15 points, as oppose to the 29 he got in their first match-up.
Key offseason changes:
Bucks Lost: Jared Dudley (legitimately was fantastic in their system last season)
Bucks Gained: Greg Monroe, Greivis Vasquez (Hey it’s General G!)
How the Pelicans will match-up:
The Pelicans play the Bucks twice this season, on January 23rd and March 12th. By then, Jrue Holiday should be healthy and off his early season minutes restriction, meaning he will most likely be in the starting lineup.
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Jrue’s biggest advantage is his 6’4″ frame, which he typically uses to power through other smaller point guards. Against the Bucks he will matchup with Michael Carter Williams, a 6’6″ point guard who may negate that advantage.
Michael Carter Williams is kind of terrible though, so I wouldn’t sweat it.
The most interesting thing the Bucks need to determine is who will defend Anthony Davis. Jabari Parker will most likely be their starting power forward, but he is an atrocious defensive presence and will probably be told to cover Quincy Pondexter or even Omer Asik instead.
Greg Monroe is also too slow to keep up with AD, and you don’t want to pull him to far away from the rim. That leaves Giannis, who is probably the best available option. Giannis is fast and long enough to keep up with AD, and while AD is probably a little stronger, I’m not to worried about that aspect of his game.
Mar 17, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) is defended Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Tyler Ennis (11) during the first half of game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Overall the Bucks will be forced to place their best perimeter defender on Davis, meaning someone like Jabari will be left to try and cover the perimeter.
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If we run a three guard lineup against them, I’m not sure how Parker handles that.
The Bucks were a great defensive team last season, largely because they had elite switching ability, length and versatility.
Once you’re forced to put those elite wing guys on Davis it will be up the rest of the Pelicans wings to take advantage of the new mismatches.
Predictions:
The Pelicans won’t lose to the Bucks this season. We play them twice post December, and will have our full roster off minutes restrictions. We handled them easily last season, due to the fact that they will struggle to contain AD without putting significantly slower defenders on other wing players.
The Bucks are also a below average offense team, and have legit spacing issues. Khris Middleton is the only consistent three-point shooter in their starting lineup, and a guy like Greg Monroe needs to be surrounded with shooters to succeed.
One more interesting fact, the Bucks haven’t actually beaten New Orleans on the road since 2003, a little over a decade ago.
Final prediction, Pelicans go 2-0 vs the Bucks.
No reason to “Fear the Deer” quite yet….
Next: Pelicans 2015-2016 Opponent Preview: The Chicago Bulls