Should Milwaukee Bucks fans be optimistic for the upcoming 2023-24 season, specifically with largely the same core group coming back? Let’s dive into the idea that a new coach can bring new looks to a veteran Milwaukee Bucks team looking to stay in contention and win their second championship in three years.
Should Milwaukee Bucks fans be optimistic for the upcoming season?
What have the Milwaukee Bucks done so far this offseason to create optimism as well as a buzz amongst fans? The answer is abundantly clear…enough to contend and be one of the best, if not the best, teams in the Eastern Conference.
Milwaukee Bucks fans should continue to have high expectations with the core group returning. This should most definitely result in another top-three finish in the Eastern Conference.
Having recently celebrated the two-year anniversary of winning an NBA championship, there is no doubt the Bucks should still be considered in the top echelon of contenders. It’s no secret that there were flaws last season, and things went sideways with the first round playoff loss to Miami, but the front office has made moves to address such issues.
From a roster construction standpoint and/or overall organizational perspective, the Bucks have replaced a trite Mike Budenholzer with Adrian Griffin, who brings creativity, innovation, and an overall fresh approach.
There is no doubt that Budenholzer was guilty of having a lack of flexibility when it came to lineups and making in-game adjustments on the fly. This culminated in the need for a refresh and a new voice, especially since the Bucks are keeping the core of their roster together from a personnel standpoint.
Bringing in Adrian Griffin most definitely gets rid of some of the staleness left behind by Budenholzer. Whether or not this translates into another NBA championship or an equal or greater amount of success after a 58-win regular season, there is essentially nowhere to go but down for Griffin.
There should be plenty of optimism in the fact that come playoff time, as well as the adaptability of this team, they will be led by a new voice who brings a new perspective, in Griffin. In addition, associate head coach Terry Stotts should have much more of an influence from an offensive perspective, and it will be very interesting to see what they do differently on the offensive side of the ball under his guidance.
In terms of personnel, the good news is that the core group of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez played great when they were all together on the floor and healthy. Middleton, who had an injury-riddled season, clearly returned to form when he regained his health, by having the most productive first round playoff series against Miami out of any of the core players.
Another year of this core group playing together at full health, especially come playoff time under a new head coach, is the main reason for optimism. Providing the Bucks are at full health come playoff time, with another full season of them playing cohesively and in a rhythm that fans are all used to seeing, there is no doubt that they can and should make a very deep playoff run.
With the current roster heading into training camp, Milwaukee Bucks fans should have the confidence that, in the end, the Bucks will be there and have another chance and shot at a second championship in three years. Bringing in Adrian Griffin was a major change that needed to be made, after last season’s first round playoff exit and debacle against Miami.
The Bucks have also added some youth and athleticism to an aging roster that was in dire need of younger players. More than likely, neither of the second round draft picks, Andre Jackson Jr. and Chris Livingston, as well as any of the UDFAs (should they make the roster), will make a huge impact this year and be a top-eight playoff rotation player who will make a difference.
MarJon Beauchamp and A.J. Green are the most known quantities of the young players on the roster. Based on their play last season, they probably have the best chance to both play and contribute in the playoffs. As for Jackson Jr. and/or Livingston, they might get some regular season playing time, which would be very valuable to their growth and development.
The ball is now in Adrian Griffin’s court in terms of how he will grow and develop the younger players on the roster. If he is able to get one or two of the younger players to be regular season contributors, this will be a welcome change from the past five previous years.
There is a lot to look forward to for Milwaukee Bucks fans when it comes to the 2023-24 season. The current roster with a new head coach should breed plenty of confidence and optimism.
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