The year 2021 was a wild ride for the Milwaukee Bucks, from winning the NBA Championship, wondering what GM Jon Horst would cook up in the free agency, and beginning a title defense. Let’s look at five of the greatest moments for the Bucks in 2021.
No. 5 – The Milwaukee Bucks retaining Bobby Portis
After the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA Championship, Bobby Portis declined his $3.8 million player option to become a free agent. After having cemented himself as a capable role player, some teams may have been willing to take a chance at giving Portis a bigger role, Clutch Points proposed a reunion with the New York Knicks on a deal worth $13-14 million per year. Portis ultimately decided to return to Milwaukee on a two-year deal worth $9 million deal, which has proven to be a massive bargain.
Portis averaged 11.4 points and 7.1 rebounds on 52.3 percent field goal shooting and a fantastic 47.1 percent on 3-pointers. Despite only playing around 21 minutes per game, Portis finished second on the Bucks in rebounds per game. He is now playing a pivotal role for the Bucks this season with Brook Lopez currently sidelined.
No. 4 – The Milwaukee Bucks beating the Brooklyn Nets opening night 2021-22
After a short offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks began their title defense against another title contender and a team they defeated in the playoffs just a few months before. After hanging the banner and the players received their championship rings, the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo put on a performance that set the tone for the season and the team’s expectations.
The Bucks showed they had no championship hangover and the big three were all effective. Jrue Holiday missed the second half with a heel bruise, but in just 18 first-half minutes, he tallied 12 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Pat Connaughton carried the Bucks the rest of the way.
Middleton finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, Connaughton chipped in 20 points on 8-13 shooting, including 4-9 from the 3-point line. Antetokounmpo showed that he is ready to defend the Bucks’ title putting up a monstrous 32 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, and added two blocks and a steal.
The impressive part about this game, aside from the individual statistics, is the Bucks as a team dished out 25 assists and committed just seven turnovers. In addition to the excellent ball movement, the Bucks also grabbed 54 rebounds. The last story of this game comes from second-year forward Jordan Nwora, who, in addition to contributing 15 points, gave us a defensive highlight for the year on the opening night with a block on Kevin Durant.
JORDAN NWORA BLOCKS DURANT. pic.twitter.com/rkg5wtBTMc
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 20, 2021