Rebuilding Bucks finding success with coach Kidd

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd calls out a play as his team takes on the Toronto Raptors on January 19. (Darren Hauck/AP)

MILWAUKEE — Coach Jason Kidd has the Bucks making progress in the middle of the first season of his rebuilding project in Milwaukee.

At 22-22, the Bucks are even in the playoff hunt in the mediocre Eastern Conference.

It’s a far cry from the disastrous 15-win season a year ago. The Bucks are succeeding in spite of the season-ending left knee injury to rookie forward Jabari Parker and the suspension of rim-protecting centre Larry Sanders for a violation of the league’s drug policy.

Kidd has often referred to changing the culture within the franchise. Players say they enjoy the share-the-ball philosophy espoused by the former All-Star point guard.

The Bucks have especially placed an emphasis on defence, allowing 92.7 points per game in the 20 games since Parker went down.

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