Why the Milwaukee Bucks are going surprise the NBA this season

The chemistry is better than ever in the Milwaukee Bucks' locker room

You can throw out all the stats you want to back up predictions for a sports team's potential, but sometimes it's as simple as the vibes. And take it from the players themselves: the energy is just different this time around, as though something had shifted over the offseason. Take it from Bobby Portis, who had this to say at his media availability after a preseason win versus Chicago:

"It's been fun, man. I have great teammates with high basketball IQ. It kind of makes the game easier as well. Just this preseason, we've been practicing more than we ever have, and we've been getting better as well. I like our chances this year, man. I've been talking about the vibe of our team; we have a hell of a vibe in the locker room. It's been fun coming to work every day to compete with the guys."

Maybe it's the new acquisitions bringing a new vigor to town, or maybe the Bucks are tired of being slept on and are eager to turn the page. Whatever it is, these new-look Bucks have an animated sort of spark to them that we just haven't seen much of in recent years.

Giannis has been vocal about this being his best training camp so far, going as far as calling it the best training camp he's been part of. He had this to say to reporters as training camp wrapped up:

"Number one, top one, [Doc's] the best coach ever. It's good, healthy competition within our group is always good...first of all, our team now is totally different. I feel like last year when [Doc] came, everything was kind of rushed for the players too and the coaching staff to kind of figure things out in three months and go and compete. It takes time.Now we've already had our three, four, five months in the offseason...It's just better, it's more comfortable. We've had time to prepare and we still have time to prepare to get to where we want to go."

As we gear up for what promises to be an exhilarating NBA season, keep your eyes peeled on the Milwaukee Bucks. With their star players back at full strength, impressive early statistics hinting at potential greatness, and an infectious team spirit permeating through every practice session, they are set to take not just their fans but also the entire league by surprise.

They're going to be slept on by the prevailing media narratives no matter what, but if what the players themselves are saying is any indication, this season is going to be a wild one. After bowing out in the first round two postseasons in a row, the Milwaukee Bucks may just surprise the association once more this season once they go back to their winning ways.

The league isn't ready. Buckle up, Milwaukee.

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