While they aren't expected to play prominent roles in 2024-25, the Milwaukee Bucks rookies had an opportunity to showcase their talent in training camp.
AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith, both 19 years old, did just that, turning heads in the process, including Giannis Antetokounmpo's. Following one of the team's practices, the Greek Freak raved about what he'd seen from Milwaukee's two rookies, highlighting the impact they had throughout training camp. Giannis made some rather intriguing comparisons involving each young player in the process.
"I like the young guys a lot. Tyler Smith, he can hoop. He reminds me of Chris Bosh. He can really play. He has unbelievable touch, but he knows how to move without the basketball, which is very rare for a kid that's 19. He has a great feel for the game.
AJ. I love AJ. This guy reminds me of, I told you guys yesterday, Road Runner... He doesn't stop moving. He's going to give a lot of energy. He can play. He can play. He's just got to be assertive... In the second unit, he can help us. He can speed up the tempo of our team. He plays the right way."
Giannis Antetokounmpo gives the Bucks rookies their props
If the Milwaukee Bucks do have the next Chris Bosh on their hands, they will be in pretty good shape. While they are ultimately different players, there are some similarities between the two, including the forwards both being 6-foot-11, both having solid athleticism at their size and the pair each being able to stretch the floor offensively.
This is high praise from Antetokounmpo, and it should boost Smith's confidence as he dips his toes in the NBA waters. The young forward has been making headlines all camp long for his excellent efforts, including a poster dunk over none other than Giannis Antetokounmpo that showed off that previously mentioned athleticism. The big man is out to prove that he belongs, and so far, he's done a solid job.
When talking about AJ Johnson, Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn't think of a Hall of Famer to compare him to like he did with Tyler Smith, instead comparing him to the Road Runner from Looney Tunes due to his impeccable speed. That quickness is one of the prominent reasons the Milwaukee Bucks are so bought in on Johnson, so it is welcoming to hear this praise from the Greek Freak.
With both players being 19, there was a lot of confusion after the Milwaukee Bucks made these picks, as many thought they would go after win-now pieces. However, now that they've had an opportunity to get on the court, the concern from fans has quieted quite a bit. They both still have to prove that they can play at this level, but the potential they possess is hard to ignore, especially after camp.
If the rookies get on the floor during the preseason, all eyes will be glued to them to see how they play after all of the chatter about their strong play throughout NBA training camp.
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