Bucks Film Room: Malik Beasley’s Screen Defense

The Milwaukee Bucks boast four firmly established players in their starting lineup: Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez. Malik Beasley initially earned the fifth spot during training camp, but he’s rapidly becoming an outlier within this group.

Following the departure of Jrue Holiday, who was traded for the offensive-dominant Damian Lillard, Beasley was designated as the defensive stalwart of the starting five—a role he’s never previously occupied in his career. The coaching staff expressed confidence in his ability to fill this role. However, early in the season, we’re already witnessing why he might not be suited for the primary defensive role on a team with championship ambitions.

Beasley’s dedication and effort on the defensive end are evident. He’s been diligent and appears committed to keeping pace with the opposition’s best offensive players. However, it’s no coincidence that the Bucks have surrendered 40-plus points to individual players in consecutive games.

Beasley’s playing time has dwindled in each of the last three contests after averaging over 31 minutes per game in the initial three games. This decline culminated in a season-low 14 minutes against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.

Two plays in the early stages of the game against the Nets illustrate why Beasley is receiving less time on the court and may not be the ideal fifth starter for this team.

He drew the primary assignment on Cam Thomas to begin the game, a microwave scorer who has no conscious on his shot selection. He lives (and dies) by the mantra, “shoot to get hot, shoot to stay hot.” Thomas finished the game with 45 points on 17-33 shooting, including 6-16 from behind the arc.

We received an early indication of Thomas’s prowess with 9:30 remaining in the first quarter.

Following a made basket by Antetokounmpo, Thomas brought the ball up the left side of the floor where he was met by Beasley shortly after crossing halfcourt. He waited patiently for teammates Mikal Bridges and Ben Simmons to set a double ball-screen for him near the logo.

Right before the screen, Beasley does a nice job pushing up on Thomas and getting into his space. This helps with his ability to get skinny to fight over the top of the screens. He does a nice job slithering over Bridges’ half-hearted screen attempt, but that’s where his issue began.

With Lopez in a drop coverage just above the free throw line, it was imperative Beasley got over the second screen as well. Unfortunately, he got completely stuck on Simmons at the logo. This allowed Thomas to waltz and hop into a three-point shot with Lopez trying a last-ditch attempt to contest it. Cash.

The second example unfolded two possessions later for the Nets. This time, Thomas faced off with Beasley just to the right of the Nets’ logo, with Simmons approaching to set a single screen on Thomas’s left. Beasley once again attempted to encroach on his space, but Thomas executed a fake to his right, away from the screen, before swiftly crossing back to his left, guiding his defender right into Simmons.

Lopez, who defended the screen again, adjusted this time, positioning himself closer to the action. This adjustment proved pivotal as Beasley became ensnared on the screen, rendering him utterly incapable of challenging Thomas. Lopez gamely accepted the challenge, adhering to his new assignment, and contested a challenging step-back jumper that tantalizingly danced around the rim before rimming out.

Despite the missed shot in the second example, Beasley’s approach remains concerning. The Bucks’ previous success with drop coverage relied heavily on players like Holiday and Jevon Carter, who possessed the ability to navigate through screens and quickly recover to their assigned man.

Beasley’s time with the starters may be limited due to his defensive liabilities. That doesn’t mean he shouldn’t play a valuable role on this Bucks’ squad. It just shouldn’t be as a defensive stopper. A microwave scorer and floor-space on the second unit is a much better fit for his talent and skillset.