The days of the Milwaukee Bucks being respected by the rest of the NBA are long gone, which is fair after three consecutive first-round playoff exits. Bobby Portis, who has been there for all three of the heartbreaking defeats, understands this, and he thinks countless players on this roster having a point to prove next season could help fuel them.
"I see a whole lot of guys that can do a lot of things. Lob. Dribble. I see a whole lot of guys that can create for themselves. I see a whole lot of guys that have a point to prove and been counted out. I don't see nothing wrong with it."
Bucks must rally behind what Bobby Portis believes
Portis is right; this roster is being counted out. It's certainly not as flashy as rosters of the past that had All Stars or other recognizable names, such as Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez, but what it does have is players being disrespected. In sports, that could give a team a needed boost in the motivation department.
The disrespect has been loud and clear this summer.
Giannis should ask out. Myles Turner has regressed mightily defensively. Kyle Kuzma can't play a big role on a winning team. Kevin Porter Jr. can't be a starting point guard. Bobby Portis still can't play defense when it matters. The Bucks will regret letting Damian Lillard go. These are all comments that have been made by insiders, analysts, and everyone in between.
Just about everyone on this roster has something to prove next season, and that could be what this team rallies behind.
While the Milwaukee Bucks might not have stars, they do have a better-fitting roster than they have in past seasons. For as good as he was in Milwaukee, it was time for Brook Lopez to go, and the Bucks replaced him with the best center on the market. For a team that needed youth and athleticism, they did a good job of fortifying the roster with Turner while bringing back other young, athletic cogs.
One could argue that Kyle Kuzma is the Milwaukee Buck with the most to prove next season, and he can be the ultimate X-factor for this team. He has the athleticism, defensive versatility, and scoring prowess to be a real difference-maker. If he can prove his doubters wrong, it could be the ultimate shot in the arm.
Milwaukee's roster remodel doesn't guarantee success, but it gives them a better shot than when they were simply relying on big names to succeed. In that regard, the Milwaukee Bucks could take a page out of the Milwaukee Brewers' book, as they were another team counted out before the year but have reached new heights with a tweaked roster.
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