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.
Milwaukee has already given us evidence of their dominance
The Milwaukee Bucks' preseason record is what it is, but hear us out.
In the first quarter minutes their starters played together, the Bucks ranked fifth in the league in both offensive rating (94.7) and net rating (net plus-16.5), according to NBA.com/stats. That's been without Khris Middleton in the starting lineup and Giannis missing a few games. For this writer, that statistic shows a bench unit that is still very much gelling together but a starting five that is ready to contend.
Even on a basketball level, the reality is that their newest acquisitions in the postseason make this arguably the most balanced Milwaukee Bucks roster so far in the Giannis Antetokounmpo era. With the arrival of Delon Wright and Taurean Prince, they finally have dogged defenders to wreak havoc on the perimeter. With Gary Trent Jr. starting at shooting guard, they finally have another reliable three-level scorer to make tough shots next to the Big 3.
Their bench depth leaves much to be desired at the moment, but their starting lineup still very clearly delivers a lethal punch that not many in the association can withstand. Assuming Milwaukee's starters stay healthy, they should be set for the 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.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.