Prizing continuity and chemistry
There weren’t just signs that pointed to the Bucks standing pat with their roster ahead of the deadline, Bucks general manager Jon Horst spoke to the reality of the team standing as they are before and after the deadline.
This week, in his sitdown with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Matt Velazquez, Horst pointed to aiming to maintain the chemistry and cohesion this year’s group has developed under head coach Mike Budenholzer’s second year in charge:
"“I think it’s paramount,” Horst said of maintaining the team’s chemistry. “It’s the fabric of the team, the makeup of the individuals and how they fit as a group. You can define that as chemistry or culture, but I think it’s a big factor in how good we are. “We’re also incredibly talented. We have the best player in the NBA, the best coach in the NBA, we have a great supporting group, but I think that’s a big factor – how much they like each other and how they fit with each other. When I say we’re going to be intentional and specific, that’s a big factor. You better protect that once you have it.”"
He wasn’t the only Bucks figure that was proud of the fact that there was no change or any roster shuffling to disrupt the good vibes within the locker room as superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo reflected on the Bucks’ deadline inactivity to Velazquez after the Bucks’ win over the 76ers Thursday night:
"“I think we’re the best team in the NBA; we have the best record in the NBA,” Antetokounmpo said after Thursday’s 112-101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. “For me, I think there should not be any change and thank God there wasn’t. I think the guys that we have, the chemistry we have on the team is amazing right now. The guys that we have are playing great and these are the guys I’m going to war with, these are the guys I’ve been going to war with the whole season. I’m happy we still have the same team.”"
Protecting the culture and chemistry, as Horst alluded to, has been of the utmost importance for the Bucks dating back to last summer when the front office wove through their high wire act of keeping their foundation together following last season’s run.
Given what we’re seeing on the court as the season has moved along, it’s no surprise to see the Bucks wanting to maintain what they have built piece by piece, especially since Budenholzer came to town.