For better or for worse, analysts and fans alike just don't have the Milwaukee Bucks that high up on their power rankings for the upcoming NBA season.
Many have the Celtics, Knicks, and 76ers over the Bucks, while some have the 2021 champions as far down as the play-in tournament. The reason why is largely a combination of health and narrative, with some arguments being more valid than others.
But the truth is the Milwaukee Bucks have long been a formidable force in the NBA, and any team sporting Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard is probably going to continue to be one going forward based on talent alone. If you're watching them closely, the signs are there that this coming regular season, they’re poised to take the league by storm in ways that many may not expect.
With a combination of returning health, impressive preseason performances, and an undeniable positive vibe, the Bucks are ready to reclaim their status as championship contenders. Here’s why you should keep your eyes on Milwaukee this season.
The Milwaukee Bucks are healthier and more stable this time around
Milwaukee's biggest threat was never the Celtics or the Sixers; it's been their health.
The return of both Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo to full health is monumental for the Milwaukee Bucks. Last season, injuries plagued their roster, limiting their ability to build chemistry and consistency. Giannis, a two-time MVP, is not just the face of the franchise; he’s a game-changer who can dominate both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Lillard brings an explosive scoring ability that can stretch defenses thin and create opportunities for his teammates.
When healthy, this duo has the potential to be one of the most dynamic partnerships in the league. Their ability to score from anywhere on the court complements each other perfectly—Lillard’s 3-point prowess paired with Giannis’s inside presence creates a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Lillard, too, is coming back more ready for his new role with the Bucks. Last year, he was going through a lethal combination of personal marital issues, the unpreparedness that comes with an incomplete offseason and the usual jitters that come with stepping into a completely new environment.
He's acknowledged those shortcomings and insists he's put in the work this offseason to put all that behind him. If his preseason performance is any indication, you can bet he wasn't bluffing.
In case you forgot, the Milwaukee Bucks' starting lineup was among the best in the NBA when healthy and could go toe-to-toe with any team in the league. When combined, Middleton's three-level shot-creation, Lillard's explosive scoring ability and Antetokounmpo's absolute dominance in the inside make for a whirlwind offensive that should give any defensive unit a run for its money.
The trio of Lillard, Middleton, and Antetokounmpo only played 42 games and 758 total minutes together last season, but during those minutes, they recorded an offensive rating of 125.1 and a net rating of 17.5, per lineup data on NBA.com/stats. In those figures, both would rank among the top four players in all three-man lineups that played at least 700 minutes together.