Over the past few seasons, the Bucks have simply been average. In 2009, the Bucks went 34-48. In 2010, they went 46-36 and made the playoffs as a 6th seed and lost to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round (Atlanta won series 4-3). The next year in 2011, the Bucks went 35-47 and in 2012, 31-35. In 2013, the Bucks made their return to the playoffs behind Brandon Jennings and Monte Ellis with a 38-44 record and the 8th seed in the East. They would lose to the Miami Heat in the first round (Miami won the series 4-0). Last season was probably the most depressing season in Bucks history.
Last year, the Milwaukee Bucks went a franchise worse 15-67. This comes after they added 10 new players. They let Monte Ellis walk. They traded away Brandon Jennings to the Pistons for Brandon Knight and Khris Middleton. Then they traded J.J. Redick away in a three-team trade to the Clippers who also received Jared Dudley from the Suns in the deal. The Suns received Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler while the Bucks received two second round picks (The Bucks would later acquire Caron Butler in a separate trade). However, in the worst season in franchise history, good things did happen.
The Bucks did their scouting homework and landed Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece in the first round with the 14th pick. Last year, Giannis averaged 6.8 points per game, 1.9 assist per game, and 4.4 rebounds per game. However, he only averaged 24.6 minutes per game. In that time, Antetokounmpo showed off his 6'11" height and his massive wing span. He is a clear matchup nightmare for any team and was an asset the Bucks need to get more involved. They also won in the trade with the Pistons as Brandon Knight was a stud at the point guard position, averaging 17.9 points per game, 4.9 assists per game, and 3.5 rebounds per game. This was easily the best season of Brandon Knight's 3-year career and the Bucks look like they found a stud in the trade that sent Jennings to Detroit. Khris Middleton didn't turn out bad either, averaging 12.1 points per game.
On top of those three, the Bucks still have former first round pick John Henson and former first round pick Larry Sanders. People always seem to forget that Larry Sanders hardly played for Milwaukee last year and is determined to re-define himself this season. Henson, meanwhile, did his part, averaging 11.1 points per game as the Bucks center last year. O.J. Mayo will also look to rebound this year as last year he had the worst year of his career. In the first day of practice, Mayo said he simply didn't want to talk about last year. He, and this team, want to move on and prove people they aren't the embarrassment of a 15-67 season.
The biggest thing that could have happened for Milwaukee happened when they picked 2nd in the NBA Draft. They drafted a guy who was the most NBA ready guy in the draft, Jabari Parker, small forward out of Duke. Parker can add an average around 18 points per game to this team if he lives up to expectations and will easily be the face of the franchise. Fans of Milwaukee are excited for Jabari as he looks rebuild this franchise.
For all those people who say the Bucks suck, that's okay. I guarantee no team will shock people more this year than the Milwaukee Bucks. They play in the weak Eastern Conference, and if you ask me, I believe they can have a 30 win season. The playoffs will be a reach but honestly they have the talent. When I see Brandon Knight, O.J. Mayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Larry Sanders, John Henson, Khris Middleton, and Nate Wolters, I'm excited about this team. The future that this team has will shine. Speaking of shining, don't be surprised if the Young Bucks begin to shine this year.
posted by Ethan Buss
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