After collapsing against the eventual NBA champion, Toronto Raptors, the Milwaukee Bucks were a bit shell-shocked. However, with many stars changing homes this past summer, including Kawhi Leonard heading to the Western Conference, the Bucks still have hope for winning the title this coming season. It will not be easy though with them losing a couple of key pieces this summer such as Malcolm Brogdon, but they are still a talented squad. A squad who is led by the reigning MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo with All-Star, Khris Middleton, being a solid second star paired with the Greek Freak. Can the Milwaukee Bucks overcome their mistakes from last year and make the next step toward a championship? Without further adieu, let’s take a look at their upcoming season.
Milwaukee Bucks Season Preview
How the Milwaukee Bucks can Return to Former Glory
Many tend to forget the Bucks do have a title. Back in the days of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (formerly known as Lew Alcindor) leading the way before he became a Los Angeles Lakers legend as well. However, Milwaukee was still a Western Conference team during that time. So, the team is searching for its first title as an Eastern Conference team. So, how can the Milwaukee Bucks get back to the promised land? It all is dependant on the development of Giannis. The man NEEDS to get a mid-range jump-shot if the Bucks are going to have any chance this season. We saw glimpses of his potential to stretch the floor in the regular season as he showed he could hit the three-point shot when left open.
However, we did not see this in the playoffs. The Raptors clogged the lane and took away his inside presence. Then, we also saw the same thing happen in the FIBA tournament. If Giannis had a consistent mid-range jump-shot, then we could be having a different discussion about the latest NBA Finals today. In the postseason, Giannis only shot 22.4 percent from three to 10 feet from the basket. The reigning MVP can do everything at a high level besides stretch the floor. If Giannis can do that this year, then this league is his for the taking and the Bucks are going to have an even better shot at the NBA Finals.
Milwaukee Bucks: Players to Watch
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Obviously the reigning MVP is going to be a player to watch this upcoming year. As alluded to already, the only aspect missing from his game is a consistent jump-shot. For his career, he is a career 18.8 point per game scorer. However, he is only shooting a career 27.7 percent from deep. The man is only getting better and seems to improve on something every year. Hopefully, we will see a new and improved Giannis this year in terms of shooting.
Khris Middleton: Middleton will perhaps have the most responsibility of his career this season. The Bucks decided he was worth a max deal this summer. As a result, he will be out to prove that he is the ideal star side-kick to the reigning MVP. He and the Greek Freak make up one of the more underrated star duos in the entire league. Last season, Middleton tallied 18.3 points per game while shooting a true shooting percentage of 55.8 percent. We will see how he does this season with an increased work-load.
Brook Lopez: Lopez filled his role for this team very well last year. He seems to be the ideal role player for this team and even did his best Stephen Curry impression at times last year. He shot a career-high 36.5 percent from the three-point territory last season while coming away with 12.5 points per game. Lopez is back this season and is looking to provide a solid option at the center position. If Lopez can continue his efficient play, then it will take some pressure off of the backs of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
Road Trip to Watch
Overall, the Milwaukee Bucks don’t have a road trip which should be a win/loss record killer. Their toughest road trip will start on January 6 as they head to San Antonio as they battle LaMarcus Aldridge and the Spurs. They then head to Golden State to battle Steph Curry and the Warriors on January 8. After that, they have a difficult back to back as they travel to Sacramento on January 10, then to Portland to battle Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers on January 11 to round out the road trip.
Final Prediction
The Milwaukee Bucks honestly have no reason to not at least make an appearance in the NBA Finals this season. They have the makings of a title contender. Not to mention, they have the dynamic duo that a team needs this season to take them far. It also helps that they are in a weak Eastern Conference, though the strength of their conference is through no fault of their own. Their only real competition standing in their way are the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and the Indiana Pacers. If this team cannot even make the NBA Finals, then it will be considered a very disappointing year for the Milwaukee Bucks being led by the reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images