I use film and analytics to cover the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Milwaukee Bucks, renowned for their rebounding prowess over the past five years, find themselves in an unexpected position a quarter into the 2023-24 season—not the commanding force on the glass they once were.

According to Cleaning the Glass, under the tenure of former head coach Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks consistently ranked no worse than third in defensive rebounding percentage, a testament to Budenholzer’s strategic emphasis on rim protection. The big men were strategically positioned near the paint, adept at securing opponents’ misses and limiting second-chance points.

The personnel also played a role. Despite not being classified among the most prolific rebounders, Brook Lopez’s selfless play, marked by relentless boxing out, created opportunities for his teammates to grab missed shots. Giannis Antetokounmpo notably thrived in this system, experiencing the six highest-rebounding seasons of his career since Lopez joined the Bucks, amplified by his exceptional athleticism.

However, in the span of a single offseason, Milwaukee has transitioned from a nearly divine rebounding squad to an average one.

Cleaning the Glass reports that the Bucks now stand 16th in the percentage of missed shots they allow opponents to grab—an alarming shift, reminiscent of the days under Jason Kidd’s coaching. Oddly, this decline is not accompanied by a staunch defense against fast breaks, as the Bucks permit opponents to score 15 fastbreak points per game, ranking 24th in the league this season.

While there were changes in the backcourt with the departure of Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen, Damian Lillard and Malik Beasley, their replacements, averaged more defensive rebounds last season. Notably, the core frontcourt players returned, yet their rebounding figures have seen a decline across the board. Antetokounmpo, for instance, is averaging the fewest rebounds since the Kidd era, and Bobby Portis is at his lowest since joining Milwaukee.

The root cause is elusive. It could be attributed to the pressuring, aggressive defense implemented by new head coach Adrian Griffin. This defensive strategy urges on-ball defenders to guard well beyond the three-point line, pulling them away from rebounding positions.

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The chaotic nature of the defense, with multiple defensive schemes and off-ball rotations, might also contribute. This approach, while aiming to induce confusion and turnovers, leaves opposing players uncovered and open to grab their teammates missed shots.

PBP Stats breaks down rebounding percentage based on the spot on the court the shot is taken from. However, it’s difficult to make anything out of that. The Bucks are actually very good at grabbing missed threes and very bad at hauling in missed twos. They’re one of the worst teams grabbing missed shots at the rim and league average when the shot is taken from the short-mid-range area.

How the Bucks suddenly went from an elite rebounding squad to an average one is baffling. It appears to be directly linked to their larger defensive woes—an unorganized team that lacks the skillset and desire to successfully finish possessions by grabbing the rock.