Milwaukee Bucks Links: Will Giannis Antetokounmpo be the most improved player of the season?
By Joe Dexter
Every morning, Behind the Buck Pass brings you the reading material you need before you start your day at the office. We bring you the morning’s Daily Dimes — Milwaukee Bucks Links from across the web to get you ready for the day.
Doesn’t it seem like it’s been umpteen years since fans got to experience the first week of the season? Well guess what, it’s finally here.
With it comes the return of Kobe Bryant’s fadeaway jumper. The San Antonio Spurs are looking to return to the championship form that helped them avenge one of the worst losses in finals history two years ago.
The Milwaukee Bucks start their journey as the league’s youngest team. For most in that position, it’d be a nightmare.
Fans though are excited to see the return of Larry Sanders, the emergence of rookie Jabari Parker, and the improvement of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks will open up the season on Wednesday in Charlotte. We’ll get you prepared throughout the week though for the season opener.
We start with this morning’s Milwaukee Bucks links.
Why Giannis Antetokounmpo will be Most Improved Player
There are a lot of players that could be lumped into the group of talents that should be considered as the most improved player at the end of the season. This is such a hard award to nail down before the season starts, because so many unpredicted things can happen in a season.
That and this award is generally a popularity selection.
Goran Dragic improved drastically last season, but the Suns also came close to winning a spot in the playoffs. The year before, Paul George led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals and a 2nd place finish in the regular season. Josh Haar at Bleacher Report believes that Giannis Antetokounmpo can overcome those barriers and be the most improved player of the year.
"In essence, Kidd plans on utilizing Antetokounmpo according to each specific situation. If this includes placing the forward at point every now and then—something that happened in both summer league and preseason—Kidd trusts him enough to fill that role.Coming from one of the best point guards to ever play the game, this is incredibly high praise.It’s also realistic. From cutting off-ball towards the basket to driving the lane and creating opportunities for teammates, the teenager can be productive no matter what position he plays.Not only is Antetokounmpo flexible offensively, but with his athleticism and 7’3″ wingspan, he boasts the means to defend multiple spots as well."
Versatility is great, but it’s not what awards the most improved player of the year. I’m not saying that Antetokounmpo won’t be one of the most improved throughout the league, but it’d seem someone like an Anthony Davis would have a much better chance at cracking the attention of the national media.
Starting Lineup Options
Charles Gardner at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel put together a great article over the weekend on three major lineups that we could see from Jason Kidd on opening day. Make sure you head over the Sentinel to read his opinions on each of the lineups.
The first lineup that Gardner suggested would more than likely be the conventional lineup we’d see night in and night out.
PG: Brandon Knight | SG: Khris Middleton | SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo | PF: Jabari Parker | C: Larry Sanders
This has been the projected lineup since before the start of the preseason and it makes the most sense for a upswing franchise. Many expect GA to see time off the bench, but if you’re building a franchise around him and Jabari Parker, they should be on the floor together as many minutes as possible.
It also gives the Bucks an opportunity to surround Larry Sanders with perimeter capable shooters that can also cut to the basket. This lineup presents the most flexiblilty.
The 2nd lineup to me is one you would go with if you are concerned about winning.
PG: Brandon Knight | SG: O.J. Mayo | SF: Khris Middleton | PF: Jabari Parker | C: Larry Sanders
Starting O.J. Mayo definitely raises his value when it comes to trade time, if he performs well. It also sets up an interesting scenario where all of your energy is coming off the bench. I’m not sure if I like a lineup that doesn’t have Giannis Antetokounmpo starting. I also don’t like a lineup where Khris Middleton is going to be forced to guard physical players that outsize him.
The 3rd lineup is a bit confusing to me.
PG: Brandon Knight | SG: Khris Middleton | SF: Jabari Parker | PF: Ersan Ilyasova | C: Larry Sanders
Your alienating the future of the franchise by playing Parker somewhere he’s not comfortable and starting Antetokounmpo on the bench. Maybe I’m wrong and that’s what would be best for their development, but it just doesn’t seem to make sense to me.
Chris Wright has finally has a new home
It was a messy situation, but it looks like former Buck Chris Wright has found a new home in the EuroLeague. According to his agent Misko Raznatovic, the former NBA Developmental League veteran will play for a team overseas for the first time in his career.
Good for Wright. He earned that contract by playing well for Milwaukee when he was given a chance. Look forward to hearing him lead PGE Turow.
Sanders returns to practice Saturday/Sunday
As reported
of the Journal-Sentinel. Head coach Jason Kidd has some strong things to say about the team and Sanders following Saturday’s practice.
"“It was competitive today,” Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. “We got everybody out there. Larry went a little bit and he’ll go more tomorrow. So it’s going in the right direction. He’s been out a little bit so we’ll work him back into the fold, but he looks great.” Kidd said he sees some cohesion after seven preseason games and a full training camp. “This team is starting to come together as a team,” Kidd said. “Counting on one another, setting screens, sharing the ball.”"
Two for the Road
— Charles Barkley is at the center of media attention again for his comments and beliefs surrounding racism.
— Apparently Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is a wannabe member of KISS? Say What? That’s one crazy Yooper…..