Milwaukee Bucks: Bryn Forbes talks team culture and early impressions

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 24 (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 24 (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Shooting specialist Bryn Forbes gave insight on his free agency decision to join the Milwaukee Bucks and his early impressions during training camp.

The Milwaukee Bucks shored up their wing depth considerably this offseason, and one of their new additions feels right at home.

That would be Bryn Forbes, the 27-year-old sharpshooter who signed with the Bucks this offseason on a two-year deal worth $4.7 million. After spending the first four seasons of his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs, Forbes is entering uncharted territory on a new team.

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Following the team’s first practice on Sunday, Forbes spoke on his decision to join the Bucks, citing the cultural similarities between the two franchises, most notably the desire to win at the highest level, which comes courtesy of the Bucks’ website:

"“Similarities. Similarities really to San Antonio. You know, the winning culture they have here, I thought it would be an easy transition here, and I thought it would be a good fit, and it is. It’s been a good transition, and I’m ready to get the year going here.”“Before I even made the decision to come here I know this was like a winning culture and once I made that decision I knew what I was stepping into. We’re trying to win a championship. I felt it from second one, you know. We just had our first meeting and that was a big emphasis. Not just making it to the playoffs or even the Eastern Conference Finals, we’re trying to win it all. I know what I can bring, shooting, scoring, toughness.”"

Winning was clearly a focus for Forbes in his decision making, and he will undoubtedly help Milwaukee in their quest for a championship with what he brings to the table. Shooting 40 percent from 3-point territory on 4.1 attempts per game over his four-year career, Forbes is more than capable of spacing the floor for the Bucks.

Shooting from behind the arc was something Milwaukee emphasized adding more of this offseason, and Forbes fits the bill. Where exactly the guard falls into the rotation remains up in the air at this point, but his upstanding shooting could make him a viable option to be the Bucks’ starting shooting guard by the season opener.

Following his first day of practice with the Milwaukee Bucks, Forbes said it was very reminiscent of his time with the San Antonio Spurs.

These similarities that Forbes mentions between the Spurs and Bucks come from head coach Mike Budenholzer and his familiarity with San Antonio. Long before h arrived to Milwaukee, Budenholzer previously served as an assistant on Gregg Popovich’s coaching staff from 1996 to 2013 and has clearly adapted their way of doing things for the Bucks:

Zora Stephenson, Bucks.com: “I know it’s early, and I’m talking about the coach Bud, coach Pop connection here, have you noticed any similarities in the culture so far?”

"“It’s very similar. Even the practice plans are very similar. It’s been an easy transition for me and I feel like I fit right in, so I feel like it hasn’t been tough.”"

Steve Megargee, Associated Press: “What are the similarities you see in practices with the Bucks compared to what you went through with San Antonio?”

"“Very similar. Honestly, a lot of the same drills, a lot of the same concepts, so it has felt like home, really. They’re actually really similar. More similar than I thought it would be.”"

Budenholzer is clearly trying to replicate that winning culture he grew accustomed to with the Spurs, and justifiably so. While it is still early, it appears that Bryn Forbes will have little difficulty adjusting to the Milwaukee Bucks’ way of doing things after spending the last four seasons under a similar regimen with the San Antonio Spurs.