The Milwaukee Bucks were one of last season’s biggest fairy tale stories. It’s not a common occurrence in the NBA for a team to go from a sorry 15 wins in one season to the playoffs in the very next campaign. But that’s exactly what the Bucks did in 2014-15.
If that wasn’t remarkable enough, it is the factors that contributed to Milwaukee’s success that really stand out.
Caoch Larry Drew was fired and replaced by Jason Kidd after Kidd’s power play in Brooklyn. Second overall pick Jabari Parker tore his ACL in December, cruelly cutting short his excellent rookie campaign. The team even traded its leading scorer, Brandon Knight, at the deadline.
“Own The Future” has been the franchise’s slogan under their new ownership, and the Bucks followed on from their first-round playoff exit at the hands of Chicago by emphasizing that ideology even more this summer.
The band of misfits that teamed with the talented yet underrated youngsters and savvy veterans was shaken up over the summer, with the departures of Zaza Pachulia, Jared Dudley and Ersan Ilyasova countered by the arrivals of Greg Monroe and Greivis Vasquez.
Although the performances of the two new arrivals – and how they can improve upon the men they replaced – is a key component for the direction the season will take. Even bigger is how some of their existing pieces will either kick in or stall.
With this summer’s roster moves, the Bucks are set up to compete for years to come. But if they’re to move closer to those goals this season, there are a number of questions that need to be answered.
Here are five things to watch with the Bucks this season.
1. Jabari Parker’s return
The Bucks are lucky enough to find themselves in a position where it is tough to pinpoint who exactly could develop into a face-of-the-franchise player. One thing that’s certain is that if the Bucks are to achieve their goals, they will need Jabari Parker to realize his potential.
Before they get that far ahead of themselves though, the top priority needs to be to get Parker back on the court. Parker’s timetable for return has been the cause of much speculation all summer, but the Bucks understandably seem to be treating their potential young star’s comeback with caution.
With a season around top quality coaches and players under his belt, Parker should return as a smarter basketball player on both ends of the floor. The physical attributes are already there, as is the talent.
In spite of having played just 25 games, Parker is a key figure for Milwaukee. The outstanding highlights he provided during his limited floor time last season instantly made him a fan favorite, while the more recent proclamations of his loyalty to the team and city have only endeared him further to Bucks faithful. A fit and firing Parker could help push this team to the next level sooner than anybody expects.
2. Jason Kidd and the second-season syndrome
Jason Kidd didn’t have any problems with his second season as an NBA coach, transforming the Bucks from a laughingstock into a hard-nosed defensive pest. But with Kidd having left Brooklyn after only one season, we have yet to be afforded the opportunity to see how he builds upon strong foundations.
The stifling defensive style implemented by Kidd and his staff was a major success. But has Kidd shown enough to date for the fans to be confident that he can counter opposition adjustments to that this season? Kidd has some unique options but he has to choose wisely.
Kidd’s profile, age and playing experience has made him a perfect fit for the Bucks and their young roster so far. His players love him, and perhaps even more importantly, free agents around the NBA are more open to considering the Bucks because of his presence. Now all that remains is for him to return to the studio to record the dreaded second album. One way or another, Milwaukee’s future success or failure will be tied to coach Kidd.
3. The “Greek Freak” and the third year leap
Even the most casual followers of the NBA over the past couple of seasons know that Giannis Antetokounmpo has the potential to be like no player the league has ever seen. The “Greek Freak,” as he is affectionately known, combines exceptional athleticism with staggering length and a high basketball IQ.
If Antetokounmpo can fine-tune and polish some of the rawer aspects of his play, he could become close to impossible to stop for even the best players. Antetokounmpo impressed while representing Greece at Eurobasket this summer, but as the tournament wrapped there was an overwhelming sense that he still needs to mature.
After a summer of hard work to bulk up in size and improve his shooting, among other things, Antetokounmpo could be primed to make a considerable jump in production. As much as his position may still be up for debate, it is clear that Antetokounmpo is committed to the Bucks, which is great news for a player eligible for an extension next summer. Together, both parties should have an exciting future.
4. The height of Khris Middleton’s ceiling
When free agency opened, there weren’t many teams who acted faster than the Bucks did in tying up restricted free agent Khris Middleton. Now that he is signed to a five year, $70 million deal, the question for many Bucks fans is what will they see next from Middleton.
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Could he make a leap reminiscent of the one made by Jimmy Butler on his path to stardom? Will his work with Dwyane Wade this summer pay off? Middleton is already one of the best “three-and-D” players in the NBA. But can he take the next step?
Middleton’s real plus-minus showed him to be a two-way player in elite company last season, while his 3-point marksmanship isn’t under question. Still, there is an expectation that Middleton could take another quantum leap. Can he spur the Bucks to new heights this season? Time will tell.
5. A rejuvenated franchise
A year ago, so much of what the Bucks have achieved seemed impossible, and I’m not talking about anything related to on-court play. Over this past summer, the franchise had a whole host of significant moments and decisions that should help to transform the way the Milwaukee Bucks are viewed not only around the NBA, but also by their own fans.
It has been a long road to get here. Most important of all the changes is the fact that the Bucks will have a shiny new arena to look forward to selling out as their future in Milwaukee is safeguarded. That’s not all, though.
In the meantime, Bucks fans can be excited about a new-look court, a flawless rebrand with crisp new jerseys, a ground-breaking alternate court and jersey combo, and a marquee free agent signing. There’s a renewed energy amongst Bucks fans, and for the first time in a long time Milwaukee seems set to truly embrace its team. With luck on its side, this current group has the potential to go very far, both this season and beyond.
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