After a summer full of huge moves, the Bucks will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first preseason game, with LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards providing a huge test for rookie guard Brayden Burries.
New-look Bucks vs new-look backcourt
Matching up with the Timberwolves in the preseason opener will be a real test for Burries. Minnesota has seen plenty of change itself this summer, moving on from Julius Randle and Naz Reid while bringing in Ball to partner with Edwards in the backcourt.
His defense will be tested in the minutes he plays against two elite guards. On offense, breaking down Edwards is never easy and will be a level up from anything he has faced so far in his basketball career. There could be a lot of eyes watching this for the new-look rosters.
Burries impressed during Summer League, averaging 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. His overall play was exceptional on both ends of the floor, but what really stood out was averaging just 0.8 turnovers in those four games in Las Vegas. One problem with young guards that can score is their youthful exuberance showing up in the turnover column; at his age, producing without turning the ball over is extremely impressive.
Preseason will be huge for the Bucks, as Taylor Jenkins will have his first opportunity to implement his game plan on the team, and it's also a very different roster from last year, with plenty of new faces needing to build on-court relationships. For Burries, it is a really good way to start preseason with a test of this caliber, and it will be interesting to see how he copes.
Burries can have an immediate impact
The backcourt is overflowing with so much competition for minutes, but the rookie's two-way ability can provide something different for the Milwaukee Bucks. He has already shown a mature makeup to his play, and that may see him earn more game time than initially expected. There is no telling who will be in the rotation, but Burries should find his way in there quickly.
There are decisions for Jenkins to make, and we may see those choices begin to show in preseason. Burries and the other young players should see plenty of game time to show what they can do, and there is no better way for the rookie guard to start than testing himself against the elite backcourt of Minnesota.
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