Milwaukee Bucks: 3 initial takeaways from opening media day
Although it may have taken a while to fully get going, the Milwaukee Bucks began their title defense season with media day and there was a little bit of everything. There were insights into the mindset of the defending champs, the new guys were introduced to the media, and many laughs were had.
It was a relatively subdued media day compared to some of the more eventful markets, but there was still lots to be gleaned from the unofficial opening day of the 2021-22 NBA season. It began with the four primary owners of the Bucks speaking followed by a nearly hour break in between until we got to the good stuff. Sorry, Wes Edens and Marc Lasry, but we’re here for the players, Mike Budenholzer, and Jon Horst. Mostly the players, though.
We got to hear from almost everyone, some notable exceptions being Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Jordan Nwora, and Sandro Mamukelashvili, though I’m sure that will happen in the coming days. It was great to see the defending champs back in the building and talking about how their offseasons were, most of them spent with the trophy at some point — Jrue Holiday mentioned that he did not get a day with the trophy, poor Jrue.
Despite the relatively short break for the Bucks, the players all seem to be in good spirits, the new guys seem excited to be here and help the Bucks defend the championship, and there is one overarching theme for this season it appears.
3 initial takeaways from Milwaukee Bucks media day: No. 1 – Not being complacent
Right from the get-go, it was clear that the Bucks had one thing on their mind and that was about repeating as champions and that starts by not being complacent. Although this can be a common refrain from championship teams, it was evident from every returning player that not being complacent is the key to having success again this season.
They’re confident that they have the team to do that as well. Right away, Budenholzer made it clear that what they want from their players this season is to compete and that’s how they stay away from complacency. Via the team’s YouTube channel:
"You look for competitors. It’s the number one thing we’re looking for. Giannis wants to win at everything. Khris wants to win at everything. Jon (Horst) wants to win at everything."
There’s always a temptation to get stagnant after reaching that ultimate goal, but it seems like this team is ready to fight as if they haven’t won anything again. Bobby Portis, known as The Underdog, believes that this team won’t find itself guilty of being complacency during their title defense.
"We don’t have a team that gets complacent or thinks about that. We are just on to the next, trying to see if we can do it again. Obviously there are steps with trying to do it again and building those habits back up and just being the best we can in our roles."
To a man, every returning player that spoke talked about staying hungry and wanting to do it again. Khris Middleton mentioned that when the team first met in the morning before media day, Budenholzer echoed a sentiment that was uttered right after the Bucks won the title: do it again. I’m sure that it’s a phrase we’ll hear often this year as the Bucks look to defend their championship.