If not for the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA playoffs would be underway and the Bucks would be playing in their first-round series. Huge crowds would be filing into Fiserv Forum as Milwaukee pursues its second NBA championship in franchise history.
None of this is happening.
For now, the season is on hold. The Bucks’ attempt at avenging the disappointing loss they suffered at the end of last season has paused. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s quest to become the 13th player to win back-to-back NBA Most Valuable Player awards has halted. Khris Middleton’s elite shooting and scoring season must wait.
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While waiting to figure out what happens next, The Athletic Wisconsin decided to do something typically done around this time every season: end-of-the-season player grades. These likely will change if (or when) the season resumes and ends, but for now, they serve as a valuable look back.
Some things to keep in mind:
- The grades are based on expectations for each player. Thus, a hypothetical “A” for Kyle Korver (he received a B) would be based on what was expected of him and not what was expected of Middleton. The aim is for grades that are equitable, not equal.
- Roles are considered. Wesley Matthews was not one of the highest-scoring starting shooting guards in the NBA, but that is not what was asked of him by the Bucks. His offensive output will not be compared to that of a player like Bradley Beal because that would be a silly grading scale to use for Matthews.
- Opportunity is considered. Some players were not given a serious chance to contribute, while others were given considerable opportunities.
- The player grades have been organized from fewest to most minutes played.
Let’s get into it.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
2.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, 0.5 assists per game in 5.2 minutes per game
It wouldn’t be fair to give Antetokounmpo a grade for his play. He appeared in just 18 games and didn’t even play 100 minutes. Despite limited time on the floor, he does have a few memorable moments. His first dunk with the Bucks was a posterizing two-handed slam in mop-up duty against the Magic, and his first career start featured an electrifying first four minutes that included a steal and a breakaway dunk, as well as an and-one layin on an assist from his MVP brother Giannis. Grade: Incomplete
D.J. Wilson
3.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 9 minutes per game
There was little opportunity for Wilson this season. He played in just 31 games and didn’t see many minutes. He was relegated to mop-up duty mostly, but that alone doesn’t get him a low grade. Going into the season, some fans hoped Wilson would break onto the scene in his third NBA season and supplantIlyasova, but that never happened. In limited minutes, Wilson never made an impact and struggled from the 3-point line (25.5 percent) in his limited time. Grade: D-plus
Robin Lopez
5.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 14.4 minutes per game
One of general manager Jon Horst’s biggest priorities last offseason was finding a capable backup center to spell Brook Lopez, so he went with the least-imaginative option and just grabbed his twin brother Robin. It worked well. Robin did everything expected of him, anchoring the defensive rebounding on the Bucks’ second unit with the Lopez Brother Effect and protecting the rim. On top of that, Robin added a new component to his game: 3-point shooting. On a career-high 96 attempts, Lopez hit 33 3-pointers, two more than he even attempted (31) last season. He was playing only 14.4 minutes per game, but there is no doubt about the value he provided off the bench. Grade: B-plus
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Sterling Brown
5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1 assist in 14.8 minutes per game
When the season began, Budenholzer was looking for one of his young wing players to step into the rotation. Brown has always been one of the team’s most physical defenders and is a skilled 3-point shooter, especially from the corners, so he was a candidate. But that didn’t happen. Instead, Donte DiVincenzo stepped into the larger role, and Brown took a step back in his third NBA season, shooting just 31.6 percent from beyond the 3-point arc and struggling to earn playing time. Grade: C-minus
Ersan Ilyasova
6.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 16 minutes per game
Every season feels like the season when Ilyasova is finally going to decline, but it just never happens. Ilyasova defied the odds again in his 14th by doing all the things he normally does — rebounding, defending, taking charges and also hitting 37.1 percent of his 3-point attempts. Budenholzer certainly prefers veteran players, and Ilyasova performed well enough to show he deserved that treatment this season. Before getting bumped from the rotation for a more versatile forward (Williams), Ilyasova was a vital part of the second unit, which was one of the NBA’s best for a second consecutive season. Grade: B
Kyle Korver
6.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.7 minutes per game
No one expected Korver, 38, to play every night or 20 minutes per game in his 17th NBA season, so appearing in 50 of the Bucks’ 65 games is in line with expectations. His 41.6 percent 3-point shooting was below his career average but still among the best on the roster. Budenholzer used his veteran sharpshooter with Antetokounmpo to give the league’s reigning MVP as much space as possible, and Korver acquitted himself nicely on the defensive end. Grade: B
Pat Connaughton
5.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 18.3 minutes per game
This might be a case of expectations being just slightly too high, but after a strong first campaign in Milwaukee, Connaughton seemed primed for an even better performance in his second season with Budenholzer. But it just didn’t happen. Connaughton was one of the most frequent gunners in the Bucks’ let-it-fly offense in 2018-19, but he was a bit more hesitant and hit a slightly lower percentage of his 3-point attempts this season. He still finds ways to influence games with putbacks and strong defensive rebounding, but the Bucks just weren’t as strong offensively or defensively with him on the floor as they were last season. Grade: C-plus
Marvin Williams
4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.5 minutes per game
After coming to a buyout agreement with the Hornets, Williams officially became a member of the Bucks on Feb. 10. After sitting out that night’s game against the Kings, Williams quickly became an important part of coach Mike Budenholzer’s rotation. He took Ersan Ilyasova’s minutes and gave the Bucks far greater defensive versatility, but his struggles from behind the 3-point line (29.6 percent) kept him from making a huge impact. A strong postseason could go a long way in helping Williams improve his grade with the Bucks. His leadership, defense and shotmaking ability could be a serious boost for the Bucks off the bench. Grade: C
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George Hill
9.6 points, 3 rebounds, 2.9 assists in 21.2 minutes per game
Hill was a serious difference-maker with the Bucks last season because he could defend point guards and shooting guards, make plays, lead the second unit and fill in with the starting unit. He did all that while shooting just 28 percent from distance. This season, he was the league’s best 3-point shooter, hitting 48 percent of his attempts. If The Athletic’s NBA beat writer awards are any indication, Hill will not win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award, but it is nearly impossible to find a player who made a greater impact coming off the bench for any other team. Grade: A
Donte DiVincenzo
9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 23.1 minutes per game
After DiVincenzo appeared in just 27 games his rookie season, it was difficult to form expectations for his second season. In just 23.1 minutes per game off the bench, DiVincenzo showed why the Bucks selected him with their first-round pick in 2018. Much to Budenholzer’s delight, DiVincenzo did a little bit of everything. He quickly developed a tremendous feel for when to jump passing lanes. He dove on the floor for loose balls, and he swooped in for rebounds over the top of forwards and centers. Offensively, he can still become a better shooter (34.4 percent from 3-point land) and finisher at the rim (63 percent), but this season was a serious step forward for the 23-year-old guard from Villanova. Grade: B-plus
Wesley Matthews
7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.7 minutes per game
Matthews was put into a tough spot this season. He replaced Malcolm Brogdon, but he was not expected to make the same contributions. He just needed to knock down open shots and defend. Despite taking more open shots, Matthews struggled to find a rhythm in his new role early in the season and missed several shots he would normally make. By the time the league suspended play in March, Matthews was shooting 36.5 percent from behind the 3-point line. On top of that, Budenholzer assigned Matthews to the league’s best wings on defense. Whether it was LeBron James, James Harden or Kawhi Leonard, Matthews took on the responsibility and held up well, allowing Antetokounmpo and Middleton to wreak havoc as helpers. The role was much smaller than any Matthews had before this season, but he excelled in it after some initial struggles. Grade: B-plus
Brook Lopez
11 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game
It is impossible to ignore that Lopez hit just 29.6 percent of his 3-point attempts this season, especially after it was such a big part of his success a year ago. Despite struggling, Lopez still drew opposing centers out from underneath the basket and found other ways to affect the game offensively. On the other end of the floor, Lopez has put together the best defensive season of his career with his understanding of where to be and how to defend in Budenholzer’s system. No one in the NBA challenged shots at the rim better than Lopez did. On top of that, he communicated better than just about any other center in the NBA and serves as the anchor of the league’s best defense. He deserves to be one of two all-defensive team centers. Grade: B-plus
Eric Bledsoe
15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 27.2 minutes per game
In 1.9 fewer minutes per game, Bledsoe put up nearly identical numbers to last season. He improved his 3-point shooting by nearly two percentage points (34.8) and his free-throw shooting by 6.3 percentage points (81.3 percent). He remained one of the best defensive point guards in the NBA, and his effort every night did not wane. He was nearly the same player as last season but with better shooting. He still needs to improve as a catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter, something he was forced to do in the playoffs last season. With those questions lingering, Bledsoe could use a slate of playoff games to prove he has truly taken a step forward. Grade: B-plus
Khris Middleton
21.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 30.1 minutes per game
To open free agency last offseason, the Bucks signed Middleton to a five-year, $177.5 million contract. It was a decision many questioned because they didn’t believe Middleton could improve in his eighth NBA season. But Antetokounmpo needed a running mate if the Bucks were going to win a championship and Middleton provided it. If the season ends after 65 games, Middleton almost shot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3, and 90 percent from the free-throw line. With his 21.1 points per game, he would have joined Larry Bird, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Dirk Nowitzki as the only players to put together a 50-40-90 season while also averaging 20 or more points. Middleton has never achieved this level of scoring volume and efficiency and did it while playing fewer minutes. Grade: A
Giannis Antetokounmpo
29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists in 30.9 minutes per game
Last season, Antetokounmpo was the best player on the best team in the NBA and put up career-high per-game averages in points, rebounds and assists to win the most valuable player award. Topping that season would be a tough task, but Antetokounmpo and the Bucks were better. Antetokounmpo averaged more points and rebounds and nearly the same number of assists per game, despite playing nearly two fewer minutes every game. Only eight players in NBA history have been able to average 29 points and 13 rebounds per game for a season. Add Antetokounmpo’s 5.8 assists per game to the ledger, and Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain are the only two players to ever put together the same type of statistical season as the reigning MVP did. The Bucks moved off their 70-win pace in the weeks leading up to the suspension of play, but Antetokounmpo maintained his historical run. He has compiled one of the greatest seasons of all time, one even better than his MVP season of a year ago. Grade: A-plus
(Top photo of Giannis Antetokounmpo: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)