Like every year, one month before the start of the regular season, the NBA teams are analyzed with great expertise. Day after day, a franchise is deciphered in depth. Today ? It’s Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s Milwaukee Bucks who are on our radar, looking for better days after a disappointing season. A look back at the off-season, presentation of the squad, reminder of the objectives and prediction, let’s go for the presentation of the Daims!
What happened last season
A tumultuous season for the Milwaukee Bucks, to say the least. A year of turbulent transition, which the Bucks started without Mike Bundenholzer, the coach who led them to the title in 2021. There was also the transplant Damian Lillard who took time to take hold, the defensive consequences of the departure of Jrue Holiday to manage and inevitably, the dismissal of new coach Adrian Griffin during the season.
A formal dismissal that took everyone by surprise. The Bucks were not off to the start of the season of the century, but they were still in contact with the Celtics with a record of 30 wins for 13 losses. Especially since the succession was taken by none other than… Doc Rivers. The former 76ers coach with an increasingly shaky reputation. From a record of 70% wins with Mr. Griffin, the Bucks went to 47% wins with old Glenn.
Arriving in the Playoffs with the third seed in the East, the Bucks came across their rivals Indiana, who had bothered them throughout the season and particularly in the play-in tournament. The Pacers, who had taken an avalanche of 64 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo in the regular season, did not have to defend the Greek, since a muscle problem that occurred three games before the Playoffs prevented him from participating in the first round. With the addition of Damian Lillard missing games due to injury, Khris Middleton was struggling like hell, but the aging Bucks squad lost in six games against the Farmers. So much regret for Milwaukee, who therefore continued a second post-season with an injured Giannis, despite the fact that the Greek Freak had perhaps just had one of his two best regular seasons in his career.
The summer market
- They leave: Malik Beasley, TyTy Washington Jr., Jaylin Galloway, Patrick Beverley, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Jae Crowder, Danilo Gallinari
- They extend: the mascot?
- They arrive: Tyler Smith, AJ Johnson, Liam Robbins, Delon Wright, Taurean Prince, Terence Davis, Alex Akinjo, Stanley Umude, Gary Trent Jr., Anzejs Pasecnics
Three players signed for one year, two two-way contracts added, two rookies drafted outside the top 20 and a total of 0 (zero) extensions signed, Jon Horst spent the summer playing Temple Run on his phone instead to make phone calls. Well, let’s be honest, with two of the biggest contracts in the NBA, the Bucks don’t have the flexibility of the century. That said, many executives (Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton) only have one year of guaranteed contracts left. Suffice to say that it sucks a little when we know that Milwaukee did not particularly strengthen this summer.
The Daims didn’t lose any major players in the off-season either, but the signings proved disappointing, and it was really hard to see any improvement from the previous year.
Le roster 2024-25 des Milwaukee Bucks
- Leaders : Damian LillardDelon Wright, Ryan Rollins (two-way)
- Rears : Gary Trent Jr.A.J. Green, Andre Jackson Jr., MarJon Beauchamp, Stanley Umude (two-way), AJ Johnson
- Wingers : Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, Chris Livingston
- Power forwards : Giannis AntetokounmpoBobby Portis, Taurean Prince, Tyler Smith
- Pivots : Brook LopezAnzejs Pasecnics (two-way)
In bold the expected starters, according to the famous sources close to the file.
Well that lacks depth on the back lines! Not only does Gary Trent Jr. seem to be on the decline a bit, but the former Toronto player doesn’t have many people behind him in the rotation. As for the lead, same scenario. We really like Delon Wright (not particularly, actually) but it might be a little short to carry the ball when Dame comes out to breathe.
On the wings, no worries, there is depth and talent, it will surely once again be the strong winger position which will be the strength of the Bucks even though Bobby Portis has lost his splendor, he remains a reliable player when you need him. At the pivot position, however, there is also concern. Brolo is not young at all anymore, and there aren’t many people behind him to do the painting. The opportunity for Giannis to try again at position 5 in sequence? After all, why not.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Chris Middleton.
We take the same ones and start again. We no longer present Giannis Antetokounmpo in Fantasy League obviously. You need 59 points one night, you pick Giannis against an average racket, bam, you have more than 60. As for Damian Lillard, we expect a little more than last year, even if the shots Lady hot rarely go unnoticed in a TTFL score. Khris Middleton, if he remains at the formidable level he was in the Playoffs, will also be an extremely reliable pick during the season.
Infirmary: update on injuries
We noted a sore ankle for Khris Middleton, the same thing to a lesser extent for Stanley Umude as well as a micro problem on the finger for Andre Jackson Jr. Apart from that, nothing very serious. Giannis Antetokounmpo was very convincing during the Paris Olympics to show us that his injury was history. The challenge for the Bucks is there for the coming season. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez healthy at the same time, and wonders can happen.
What are the goals this season?
The eastern heights are becoming more and more inaccessible. With an aging workforce, not really improved in the summer, led by a coach in whom we do not have an ounce of confidence, it is difficult to predict an outcome of the Bucks season which would be favorable to them. And yes, even with an all-time player from all-time, one of the best all-time shooters, an elite scorer and a high-level rim protector. However, even if they still arrive diminished at the end of the year, the Bucks must make it through a round of Playoffs given their level of talent and experience. As said in the previous section, the health aspect will be the key factor of the season. A quartet of Daims in full health at the same time, with home advantage in the first round of the Playoffs and the Bucks will be contenders for the title. It’s that simple.
In an Eastern Conference where the Boston Celtics reign more than ever, with the New York Knicks threatening and the 76ers armed to the teeth in the frontcourt, the Bucks are not favorites to reach the top three. However, the rest of the East is not as dense, which is why the Bucks can aim for the first round advantage in the Playoffs. Passing at least one round, this must be the minimum objective for the Daims.
The editor’s prediction
48 victories – 34 defeats
A slight drop in victories linked to an aging squad and a very lousy coach is to be expected. Despite everything, the Bucks have the chance to play in the Conference of All Possibilities, the very affordable Eastern Conference whose soft underbelly begins in fourth position. We are therefore counting on the Giannis – Dame duo to have worked together this summer because it is not through tactical adjustments that the Bucks will win games this season. We have the impression of having seen some progress from the Freak in terms of shooting at the Games. Who knows, with a Queen in renewed form, these Daims will be able to do great things in the East. The top three certainly seem inaccessible, but the Bucks can and must at least establish themselves as masters of the rest of the East.
