One Eastern Conference Team Who Will Rise/Fall
There’s a cluster of teams fighting it out in the Eastern Conference. Who is trending up, and who is trending down right now?
We are just about a month away from the NBA All-Star break, which signifies the halfway point of the regular season. Each year, it seems like there are at least a couple of teams that give off false indications of how their season will conclude.
Many factors play into this. Offseason acquisitions are often times made to improve a team’s playoff chances or in some cases to continue the rebuilding process. However when the teams that are in the middle of the pack are the ones making the more controversial moves, it usually plays out one of two ways: really good or really bad.
This season, the Chicago Bulls started out as one of the top shooting teams in the league from three. Despite their additions of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo to an already below-average outside shooting team, all signs pointed to that area becoming a huge liability.
Because of their quick start, people began to question whether the assumptions were wrong. Maybe the Bulls can be the three-point threat nobody thought they could. Is this the point that Dwyane Wade reverts to working on his jumpshot nonstop in order to stretch his career?
The answer to both of those questions are a resounding no. The wheels have already fell off. Rondo isn’t even part of the rotation, head coach Fred Hoiberg seems lost with what to do, and their three-point shooting has plummeted to dead last in the league at 31.6%.
There have been rumors that the Bulls are listening to offers for Butler. I get it, it doesn’t hurt to see what other teams have to offer, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen a rising superstar of Butler’s talents get teased in the trade market so often. If the Bulls want to blow it up, then do it. Butler is on a friendly contract in terms of his production and the market today, and there’s no doubt that the Bulls could get a slew of assets for him.
Despite the rumors and the chaos within the organization, Butler remains a consummate pro by going out and producing. He is averaging 28.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in the last four games. Two games include 40+ points, one being a 52-point performance against Charlotte.
The Bulls sit at 19–19 and ninth place in the conference. They’ve gone 5–5 in their last 10 games, but one could argue at least three of those wins are due to the heroics of Butler. There’s no doubt that he will continue to show up and put together memorable performances individually, but it’s safe to say this team isn’t built to put together a second half push.
While a few other teams start developing stronger chemistry after the AS break, we’ll see Chicago start to break down. Similar to last season, there is question of whether or not the coach can put this team in a position to make a push. Butler certainly can if he continues to put the team on his shoulders, but that’s too much to ask even from a 27-year-old in his prime.
The Milwaukee Bucks are a strong candidate to make a push as the playoffs loom closer. Giannis Antetokounmpo has established himself as one of the top players in the league this season. His versatility and ability to play point guard at 6'11" has been crucial considering the Bucks lack any true talent at the position. You can look at almost every statistical category and see Giannis’ name somewhere in the top-20. His impact for this Bucks team has been immeasurable.
Jabari Parker’s name has gained momentum in the All-Star conversation with averages of 20.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
The Bucks came into this season sharing the same flaw as the Bulls, which was having limited options of outside shooting. When Khris Middleton tore his hamstring in a September workout, those flaws became massive. Middleton seemed to be their only viable three-point threat, now with him gone, there were questions of how they’d be able to fare in today’s game that revolves around outside shooting.
After attempting five total three’s his rookie season, Parker is making over 40 percent of his triples. Michael Beasley has been a key contributor off the bench in that department as well by cashing in on 45 percent of his three-point attempts.
As a team, the Bucks are 11th in three-point shooting at 36.5 percent. Even with a healthy Middleton, that rate would seem fairly high considering the rest of their roster. It speaks to how much each player improved over the offseason.
Malcolm Brogdon has emerged as a leading candidate for being the biggest steal in this year’s draft. He’s launched himself into the starting lineup playing 24.2 minutes per game while averaging 8.9 points. With Giannis at point guard, it allows for Brogdon to play off the ball and make an impact defensively, as he did so often during his time at the University of Virginia.
Others such as Greg Monroe, Tony Snell, and Mirza Teletovic have played vital roles in Milwaukee’s success thus far. When you put into mind that Middleton should return a few weeks prior to the playoffs, it sinks in that the Bucks could be a feared opponent. Middleton fills the holes that need filled in the backcourt in terms of a three-point specialist and a great defender.
As teams such as the Bulls, New York Knicks, and Detroit Pistons continue to falter, the Bucks will capitalize by locking up a respectable seed in April.
