Milwaukee Bucks basketball is officially back, and perhaps the biggest question heading into the first game, a road visit to Washington, is who will be in the starting five. Coach Taylor Jenkins had explored a few different combinations in the NBA Preseason and told reporters recently that he is "evaluating" everything leading up to the game. The suspense will remain until the game tips off.
Bucks' starting five remains an unknown
There are two realistic options. Jenkins will either roll out Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma, and Myles Turner or Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Myles Turner. Both lineups were used during the preseason and have their share of pros and cons. Which one he will use could very well still be under consideration.
From a traditional standpoint, the first combination makes more sense, as everyone gets to play their logical positions. One could argue that starting Jaquez and Kuzma, two non-shooters, could be one of the downfalls, and that would be valid. Yet, in lineup two, the Bucks would be starting a player who has always been a center, Ware, at power forward, which could make for some clunkiness.
The Ware-Turner pairing did show potential in the preseason, though, and Jenkins has a history with double big man lineups, so it wouldn't be surprising if he rolled with it.
Maybe there is a surprise third option that Jenkins has been working with behind the scenes and will unleash for the first time in game one. That would be a twist. Really, no one knows, and that's likely his ideal way of having it.
No one should get too comfortable
Jenkins made it clear that no matter what combination he uses on opening night, everyone should be ready for change if needed. Noting that he's always up for adjustments, Jenkins could very well swap out a player or two if a different pairing makes more sense. Maybe Kuzma starts in game one and just doesn't fit with the rest of the group, leading to Ware being promoted. Maybe vice versa.
The Milwaukee Bucks will take it day by day, and understandably so. There are so many new parts on this roster and the coaching staff that everyone is still getting used to each other. Once the ball gets rolling for real, it will be easier to make decisions. Simply put, fans shouldn't get too attached to who starts in game one, but it will be interesting to see where Jenkins thinks everyone fits best.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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