Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from preseason win over OKC Thunder
By Dalton Sell
The Milwaukee Bucks showcase their potential regular season starting lineup in preseason win over OKC Thunder
Bucks fans have speculated about what combination of players the starting five might consist of heading into the 2021-22 season, with the most popular option taking the floor Sunday night.
In addition to Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez all started for the Bucks. As previously mentioned, Allen looked great alongside his new teammates, thriving off the open looks from deep and on the floor created by Milwaukee’s typical starters on the offensive end. He looked like a seamless fit on both ends of the floor, and this performance likely stapled his name into the starting lineup opening night, if it had not been already done.
Antetokounmpo and Middleton came out with an immediate sense of urgency in their 2021 preseason debut, helping the Bucks take command early. Antetokounmpo finished with eight points, nine rebounds, and six assists in 17 minutes, while Middleton scored 14 points on 100 percent shooting from the field in the same timeframe. Holiday picked up right where he left off by tallying 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, four rebounds, and four assists while playing his elite-level defense. Lopez joined in with 11 points while grabbing four points and blocking three shots.
Four of these players just won a championship together, so everyone understands how well they can play together. The biggest wild card was Allen, and although it was just a preseason game, it is hard to deny how good he looked playing that starting role. This unit should get some more time in the next few games, and with room to grow, this could be a lethal starting lineup once the regular season finally kicks off. Fans should be excited about the potential of this group.