Milwaukee Bucks: Revisiting bold preseason predictions

D.J. Wilson

Preseason prediction: Will star with the Wisconsin Herd

Verdict: Wrong, in a good way!

For once, I am absolutely thrilled that I was so wrong in such a major way! I generally consider myself an optimistic Bucks fan, which is nearly impossible, but even I had no inclination that Wilson could have the season he’s had in 2018-19.

After a disastrous rookie season, I thought Wilson would probably be out of the league within a year or two and the Bucks were much more likely to outright cut him than give him meaningful minutes.

Then one night in December in Detroit, everything changed. Hampered by injuries, Wilson was called on to fill in for some big man bench minutes and balled out.

Wilson played 25 minutes, by far a career-high at the time, and went 4-of-5 from the field for nine points and brilliantly locked up All-Star Blake Griffin in the post. It was like watching Neo see the Matrix for the first time. We were all Morpheus whispering in astonishment “he’s beginning to believe.”

Since then, Wilson has been (for the most part) a mainstay in the Bucks bench rotation, adding much-needed athleticism at the center position and shooting a respectable 37 percent from deep on two attempts per game.

Wilson is undoubtedly the surprise of the season for the Bucks, as he’s finally shown why he was worthy of a first round selection and becoming, in many ways, the ideal center for Budenholzer’s system on both ends with reliable shooting and solid rim protection.

With injuries to Mirotic and Gasol, Wilson should get his fair share of playing time in the playoffs, and I’m honestly confident that he’ll acquit himself well, which is not something I ever would have predicted thinking about Wilson in the preseason.

It goes to show that all some players need is a chance.

Final tally: 4/14, 1 push

I guess it turns out that I’m not as smart (or as good at predicting the future) as I thought!