Milwaukee Bucks: Key quotes, highlights from 2019-20 Media Day

Mike Budenholzer

Budenholzer on the decisions made by Horst and the front office this summer:

"“I have a lot of appreciation for what Jon and his group did this summer to keep our core group together, and bring back a heck of a roster. I think we reaped the benefits last year of a lot of the great work that Jon and his group did, and I’m just very, very appreciative of that.”"

Budenholzer on dealing with expectations:

"“We’re much more focused on what we’re doing every day. The message to the team won’t be that different than what it was going into last season. There were expectations with a new coach and great roster additions, and every team goes into every season with expectation. Our attack point is what are we doing every day, how are we getting better every day, how are we competing every day, are we playing unselfishly, are we playing together. All of those things are just our core beliefs. If we’re doing those on a day in and day out basis, the chips will fall where they may, and we feel great about the team and the talent we have. If we focus on our day-to-day priorities, I think the expectations will fall in line.”"

Budenholzer on what Giannis has been working on over the offseason:

"“I think he’s working a lot on his leadership skills, to be honest with you. His ability to connect and communicate with his teammates, whether they’ve been with the team for a while or new guys that are coming in. I’ve been so impressed with how his leadership continues to grow and improve day-to-day, and you’d think that doesn’t happen in the summer, but it does. Basketball-wise, I think he’s working on everything. His ability to pass and create opportunities and shots for his teammates is at an elite level, and I think he wants to get even better there. You know, working on shooting, all phases of shooting. Just his overall game. He’s constantly pushing to be the best, and I don’t think he’s satisfied with what he did individually or with what we did as a team, and that’s part of what makes him great.”"

Budenholzer on what Robin Lopez brings:

"“I think the addition of Robin is something we’re very, very excited about. We probably didn’t have a true backup 5, and Ersan [Ilyasova] had to play some of those minutes, Giannis had to play some of those minutes, and I’ll say Ersan and Giannis will probably still play some, it’s an advantage to us at times to have Ersan and Giannis at the 5, but now having Robin, an incredible defender, an incredible physicality. Just watching him play in September, he’s picking up what we want him to do offensively. I think to be as good as we were defensively as a team and then add Robin Lopez to that, it just makes you feel that we can be really, really good defensively again. No drop off when we come in at the backup 5 position. I think it’s a huge get, a huge addition, and I think the players are already seeing and feeling it, and I think the media and the fans will see it soon.”"

Budenholzer on replacing Malcolm Brogdon‘s contributions:

"“A lot of respect for what Malcolm brought to the team, and he was a big part of a very successful team. I think the vision going forward is with the addition of Wes Matthews and Kyle Korver as wings that have proven they’re elite level shooters, and great defenders. We’ve got young guys in Donte [DiVincenzo], Pat [Connaughton] and Sterling [Brown] that are all proven to some degree, especially Pat and Sterling playing in the rotation a lot of last year, including the playoffs. So I think between that collection, and obviously Khris is pretty good, I think that’s six wings, you throw Thanasis in there as a seventh wing. We feel like we’ve got a ton of depth, a ton of versatility, some veteran guys, some younger guys, and we feel really great about that position.”"