Milwaukee Bucks media day gave us the first insight into the new look Bucks roster and their plans for the season. Bobby Portis is one of three players remaining from the 2021 title-winning roster, and he believes that adding Myles Turner gives Milwaukee one of the best frontcourts in the NBA.
"We can grow together. We can get better together. You can't really find three better bigs together on any other team."
Bucks have one of the best groups of bigs in the league
Portis isn't the only player with huge praise for the big addition. Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke highly about adding the former Indiana Pacers man to the roster. Turner has always caused problems for the Bucks, particularly in the previous two postseasons. He fits the mold perfectly of the team's new identity, emphasizing a younger and more athletic roster.
Brook Lopez was brilliant for the Bucks, and alongside Giannis, they made a formidable frontcourt pairing. Unfortunately, at 37, Lopez was being exposed on a roster that lacked serious perimeter defenders, and Milwaukee had to move on. Turner instantly makes the Bucks more versatile, with his ability to guard at the rim, as well as switch onto wings and guards, while still holding his own.
As a sixth man, Portis has been close to perfect for the Bucks. Despite missing 25 games due to suspension, he still averaged 13.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on shooting splits of .466/.365/.836. The energy and hustle he brings off the bench will continue to be something his teammates will feed off. Adding Turner can allow Portis to slide to the four spot, similar to earlier in his career, and again, he is a player who can hold his own guarding smaller opponents.
Offensively, Portis and Turner can both stretch the floor, with the latter shooting 39.6 percent from deep last season. Jon Horst has openly said about wanting to get more threes up as a team, having led the league in 3-point percentage.
With Giannis expected to take on a point forward type role, having bigs that can stretch the floor as the defense collapses on the Greek Freak will be huge. It also aids the Bucks in defensive transition. With the roster being younger and faster, we should see them back in their defensive sets quicker.
Perhaps the most forgotten man in the frontcourt is Jericho Sims. The center was a sneaky mid-season addition and was underplayed in the eyes of many fans. His defensive versatility and vertical threat on both ends of the floor made a nicer pairing with Giannis in the limited minutes we saw of them. His outside game will stop him from seeing more minutes on the court, but as an end-of-the-bench big, he fits the Milwaukee Bucks' needs well.
Questions have been asked all offseason about the Milwaukee Bucks' backcourt and where the offense will come from. It will take time for Doc Rivers to figure out the best way to play his youthful guards, but one thing is for certain: they will have one of the best frontcourts in the NBA thanks to the addition of Myles Turner.