With training camp and the preseason inching closer, Milwaukee Bucks basketball is almost back.
Heading into camp, it feels like the top portion of Milwaukee's rotation is set in stone. Looking at the starting lineup, it feels pretty clear that it will be Lillard, Trent, Middleton, Antetokounmpo and Lopez. Off the bench, Portis, Wright and Prince will be in Doc Rivers' rotation.
With the top eight set in stone, there aren't any sizeable camp battles to determine starting spots or even primary minutes off the bench to keep an eye on like there were last year. However, there are still set to be some duels that could impact Milwaukee's rotation or roster moving forward.
With that said, let's analyze three of them.
Andre Jackson Jr. vs. AJ Green vs. Pat Connaughton
It feels like one of these players will earn minutes on the wing with the Milwaukee Bucks while the other two primary serve as spectators.
There's a case for each of the three. Andre Jackson Jr. showed in brief spurts last season that he can make an impact as a jack of all trades. AJ Green shot the lights out from three and showed growth on the defensive end. Pat Connaughton is an experienced veteran who has shown he can help this team win it all on the big stage.
It's clear that Rivers was a fan of Green last season, as he saw a nice uptick in minutes after the coach took over, and the Milwaukee Bucks clearly believe in him, having held him out of the Summer League. That certainly gives him the edge over Jackson, and it just might help him also leapfrog the veteran Connaughton, a prime trade candidate, who has struggled mightily over the past two seasons.
This will be a pivotal training camp for all three of these players, with two of them looking to prove that they belong in an NBA rotation while the other aims to show that he still has some juice.
AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith vs. everyone
No one should expect rookies AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith to play considerable roles in Milwaukee this coming season. In fact, it'd be shocking if they got on the court much at all. However, although they'll spend the next year learning behind the veterans, that should not stop them from coming to camp hungry to show what they can do against their more experienced teammates.
It's no secret that the Bucks have been one of the oldest teams in the NBA over the last few seasons, and it was truly exposed last season. A lack of athleticism hurt this team mightily, as they were unable to combat the assault from younger, more energetic teams. Perhaps Smith and Johnson can use that to their advantage as they try to make a strong first impression in camp.
Johnson's quickness is arguably his greatest attribute, which he showed in the Summer League by flying up and down the court every possession. Trying to contain him will be a nice test for the vets. Meanwhile, Smith is an uber-athletic, sharpshooting 6-foot-11 forward, which could also make for some eye-catching matchups against the likes of Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez.
At 19, neither player will dominate the must more experienced players. However, they have the tools physically to test them in certain situations. At the end of the day, it will be iron sharpening iron as the young players get to work on their game against NBA talent while the veterans get to practice against athletic, energetic players, which they will see plenty of this coming season.
MarJon Beauchamp vs. a ticking clock
A third year can make or break a player. After struggling to make his mark during his first two years in Milwaukee like many hoped he would have, this year will be pivotal for MarJon Beauchamp if he wants to stick around not only with the Bucks but in the NBA as a whole.
Playing in the Summer League, somewhat of a rarity for a third-year player, Beauchamp didn't show off much of an improved skill set. As there have been for the past two years, he showed flashes with his athleticism, bounce and shot-making, but he also turned the ball over and settled for poor shots just as often. It was yet another frustrating entry in the MarJon Beauchamp experience.
Beauchamp needs to enter camp with a chip on his shoulder. It's time for the rubber to meet the road. The young guard needs to prove that he belongs, dominating in drills and showing things versus the veterans in scrimmages. If he does that, he could catch the eye of Doc Rivers and the rest of the coaching staff, something he didn't do too much last season.
The young wing faces an uphill battle cracking the rotation, as many would argue he's behind Green, Jackson and Connaughton, three players trying to cement their spot in the mix themselves, on the depth chart. It will not be easy, but entering his third season, Beauchamp has to do whatever it takes to make that leap with the Milwaukee Bucks. Time is running out for the wing.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.