2023-24 NBA Season Preview: Milwaukee Bucks
We are days away from the start of the 2023-24 NBA season! Up until opening night on Oct. 24, we have been previewing all 30 NBA teams! Today, we will be previewing the Milwaukee Bucks, who made the league’s biggest splash this offseason in the trade market.
What happened last year?
The Bucks, many people’s championship favourite (this writer included) heading into the campaign, overcame an injury-plagued season from All-Star forward Khris Middleton to lead the league with 58 regular season wins. Giannis Antetokounmpo enjoyed yet another stellar campaign, lurking in the shadows of the Joel Embiid–Nikola Jokic MVP hullabaloo. Jrue Holiday had a career year whilst Brook Lopez and his new back would back the clock.
Come playoff time, though, it all went to pot for Milwaukee. They lost Antetokounmpo to a back injury in the opening game of their 1st round series with the Miami Heat. (An aside here for all those Heat fans screaming ‘Well, WE lost Tyler Herro!’….those are not the same things) Whilst Giannis did return later in the series, he wasn’t near his best as the Heat triumphed in five games.
Antetokounmpo aside, there were some mitigating circumstances around the Bucks’ startling flameout. Middleton was a shadow of his former self, (now former) head coach Mike Budenholzer was privately dealing with a family tragedy, and Jimmy Butler, as is his wont, had one of those series where he morphs into an unstoppable cartoon character.
That didn’t stop the NBA world from losing its collective mind, though.
Offseason recap:
Antetokounmpo made it very, very clear that he expects his club to give him all the possible weapons that he needs to mount another title run. To that end, Budenholzer was replaced with rookie coach Adrian Griffin–apparently hand-selected by Antetokounmpo. The club picked up extra shooting in Malik Beasley and a solid backup to Lopez in twin brother Robin. A decent, if underwhelming, haul. Then, all hell broke loose….
Projected Starting Five?
Damian Lillard, PG – Is Lillard the best point guard the Bucks have ever had? Oscar Robertson was an MVP but he was a shadow of himself by the time he became a Buck. Despite turning 33-years-old in the offseason, Lillard is still in his prime. The seven-time All-NBA selection posted a career-high 32.2 points on 46/37/91 shooting splits. He is immediately the best player that Giannis has ever teamed with. How do you stop a Dame-Giannis pick and roll? Your guess is as good as mine.
Malik Beasley, SG – This could realistically be shooting guard by by-committee. Beasley is the most like-for-like replacement for Grayson Allen, so let’s go with him for the time being. Beasley is a sieve on defense but is one of the best movement shooters in the league subsisting on a diet of very tough shots. With the attention that the rest of this line-up will draw Beasley could stroll into a 42-plus percent season from deep. If new coach Griffin wants to prioritise defense, he could turn to Pat Connaughton or MarJon Beauchamp, here.
Khris Middleton, SF – Freed from the burden of being the teams’ primary late-game creator and ball handler, Middleton – assuming good health – should thrive. “Good health” is doing an awful lot of heavy lifting here, though. After going down with a knee injury in the 2022 playoffs, Middleton has looked nothing like a three-time All-Star who should be in his prime. In 33 games last season, he posted his worst numbers since becoming a full-time starter. If healthy, he’s arguably the best 3rd wheel in the league.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, F/C – He’s the best player in the world not named Jokic. He’s awfully close to being the best in the world, full stop.
Brook Lopez, C – A back injury in 2022 threatened to derail Lopez’s career. Instead, at age 34, Lopez had his best season since his time in Brooklyn, posting 15.7 points, 6.7 boards and 2.5 blocks – all post-Nets highs. The big fella gathered some serious DPOY consideration and now has twin brother Robin in town to give him an occasional spell and to beat the snot out of opposition mascots.
Notable Reserves:
Pat Connaughton, Wing – As mentioned in the previous section, Connaughton could well become the regular starter for this team. His defence and underrated athleticism could make him a more natural fit next to Dame. Whilst he had a down year last season, posting disappointing 39/33/66 splits, Connaughton is a career 44/36/78 shooter. A regression to the mean on a most palatable diet of shots could see him enjoy a career year.
Bobby Portis, F/C – Fresh off a World Cup, Portis is again the main big off the bench for Milwaukee. His toughness inside and ability to stretch the floor makes him a perfect foil for both Giannis and Lopez. Pleasingly he maintained his production last season despite returning to a bench role.
Jae Crowder, G/F – It’s tempting to go with Crowder as the X-Factor, given he gave the Bucks practically nothing last season. Yet, the team chose to re-sign him. Cue Windy Fingers: why would the Bucks do that?
If Crowder has anything left he’ll prove a key rotation piece for Milwaukee.
Biggest X-Factor? MarJon Beauchamp
As a rookie Beauchamp displayed encouraging flashes as a cutter and defender. With Holiday (and Jevon Carter, suddenly a big loss) no longer on roster, the 2nd year wings defensive potential must start to become a reality. If he can be 80 percent of Christian Braun, the Bucks have an athletic young wing with the ability to finish above the rim and play solid, multi-positional defense. If he stagnates, it leaves the Bucks guard rotation looking awfully thin.
Season projection?
After some initial bedding in, especially on defense, the Bucks will hit their stride. They’ll win 56 games. That will likely give them top seeding in the East though much depends on how Boston’s own big-name additions settle.
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