All things considered, Milwaukee did fairly well to finish second in the Central and top .500, since Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker essentially did a baton hand-off with debilitating injuries at the 50-game marker. But there are enough solid contributors on this roster to achieve across-the-board improvement again, from budding superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to surprise rookie find Malcolm Brogdon. Parker’s second ACL rehab not only will determine the Bucks’ strength on the court but have a profound emotional impact, one way or the other.
> 30 Teams in 30 Days: Bucks continue growth plan centered on Giannis Antetokounmpo
> DA’s Offseason Rankings: Milwaukee is No. 20
ICYMI
Milwaukee’s first big move of the offseason came in May, when general manager John Hammond left to take a similar position with the Orlando Magic. Protégé Jon Horst takes over in that role … As far as the personnel on the court, however, Milwaukee ranks near the top of the NBA in 2017-18 for its continuity; most of the players who logged most of the minutes are back. Or in the case of Parker, presumably will be … Milwaukee went with D.J Wilson out of Michigan with its first-round pick and Sindarius Thornwell with the second. Thronwell was shipped to the Clippers for $2 million … Tony Snell turned one good season with the Bucks into a four-year, $46 million deal in late July … Days before camp opened, the Bucks signed back Jason Terry, while adding Brandon Rush and Kendall Marshall. Gerald Green and Joel Anthony were signed in time for camp, too … Count the Bucks among the teams that opened a state-of-the-art practice facility adjacent to what will be their dazzling new arena for 2018-19.
THREE POINTS
1. A sense of seriousness, if not quite urgency, needs to inform everything the Bucks plan or do this season. You can only get away with being one of the league’s youngest teams for so long — the clock keeps ticking, players get older and change becomes inevitable. If the roster gets out of sync, Milwaukee will wind up like a plate spinner on an old variety show, at risk of losing pieces while others are reaching their prime. Forget about a honeymoon in the new arena next year — Milwaukee needs to take a big step now.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the brink of becoming one of the league’s two or three best players. That thought boggles the mind, that the unheralded No. 15 pick from 2013 could play in Milwaukee and be that good. The only thing consistently lacking is sufficient range on a go-to jump shot. He already is worth the price of admission (depending on where your seat is).
3. Good health has been elusive for this team, most notably in the knee blowouts suffered by Jabari Parker but also extending to Khris Middleton’s hamstring surgery last season. The unspoken fear is that Antetokounmpo, with his coltish legs, might be one bit of contact in traffic away from something traumatic. It’s unnerving enough to know that he withdrew from the Greek national team over the summer due to knee discomfort.
MAN ON THE SPOT
Parker has become a regular here, but we’re adding Horst to keep him company. Two years ago, Parker was coming off his first ACL surgery. Last year, he needed to make some strides in his game, which he did — until going down again, tearing the same ACL in the same knee. Now he has Horst to keep him company because the Bucks’ young new GM has to weigh Parker’s uncertain future against his value as a core player, if he manages to get his game back a second time.
STARTING FIVE
Malcolm Brogdon | 10.2 ppg | 2.8 rpg | 4.2 apg
From No. 36 pick to Kia Rookie of Year brought smart, steady play
Tony Snell | 8.5 ppg | 3.1 rpg | 1.2 apg
Defense and 40 percent 3-point shooting earned him payday
Thon Maker | 4.0 ppg | 2.0 rpg | 0.4 apg
Per 100 possessions: 20.4 points, 10.3 boards, 2.3 blocks
Khris Middleton | 14.7 ppg | 4.2 rpg | 3.4 apg
Missed first 50 games (hamstring), hit 43.3 percent from arc
Giannis Antetokounmpo | 22.9 ppg | 8.8 rpg | 5.4 apg
Kia Most Improved Award winner is aiming for MVP this season
KEY RESERVES
Greg Monroe | 11.7 ppg | 6.6 rpg | 2.3 apg
Legit sixth man, improved as defender, clockwork consistency
Mirza Teletovic | 6.4 ppg | 2.3 rpg | 0.7 apg
Inefficient last season, more defensive liability than reliable marksman
Matthew Dellavedova | 7.6 ppg | 1.9 rpg | 4.7 apg
Those 3-point looks aren’t as open when LeBron isn’t drawing defenders
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Bucks lost a year when they slipped from 41 victories to 33 in 2016. They picked up their pace to finish 42-40 last season, losing to Toronto in the first round. So, progress demands they advance to the East semifinals. If Parker can return sometime near the All-Star break, they should have enough in a weak conference for a top-four seed, always the key to second-round.
Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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