For years, the Milwaukee Bucks have been searching for an ideal wing defender, and that holds true in early September. No one thinks that recent signee Thanasis Antetokounmpo will take that mantle, but he inadvertently threw his name in the hat with some recent comments at EuroBasket. Here is what he said about the Bucks watching him as a member of Greece.
“They were here after the first game against Italy, and they were excited because I was playing defense. I was doing my job, that’s my role.”
Could Thanasis leap into the rotation? Never say never (But unlikely)
He's never played much, but whenever he has graced the court, Thanasis has flashed signs of being a positive defender. Pre-Achilles tear, he was an uber-athletic wing who would pick his opponents up and never let up. It often resulted in a foul being called due to overly aggressive defense, but there was no denying the effort. Still, that likely won't earn him minutes.
The Milwaukee Bucks have emphasized getting younger, faster, and more athletic this summer, and those likely aren't things they will get from the oldest player on their roster. That goes without even mentioning that the 33-year-old is coming off an Achilles tear that caused him to miss all of last year. Expecting him to play a prominent defensive role after that would be tough to validate.
Now, it is possible Thanasis could check in for a minute or two and provide a spark? Sure, but even then, it goes against what Milwaukee has built this summer. The wing will likely serve as Doc Rivers' break glass in case of emergency defensive piece, earning time scarcely, as had been the case in his first five years with the team.
Thanasis can certainly have his audition in training camp, and he won't be alone. Amir Coffey, who isn't even on the actual roster, Taurean Prince, Chris Livingston, Andre Jackson Jr., and Kyle Kuzma will all have a shot to prove they can be the team's main wing defender. The title is up for grabs; it hinges on who can capitalize and snatch it up.
Right now, Kyle Kuzma feels like the frontrunner. The Milwaukee Bucks clearly believe in him, which is likely partially due to them owing him over $20 million this coming season, so they will use him. Even if he struggled overall last season, there were glimpses of spectacular defense in there. If he can bring that to the surface consistently, the job is his. It's there for the taking.
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