MILWAUKEE BUCKS: 55.5 WINS – UNDER

Key Additions

• Damian Lillard (trade)
• Cam Payne (free agent)
• Malik Beasley (free agent)
• Robin Lopez (free agent)
• Adrian Griffin (coach)

Key Subtractions

• Jrue Holiday
• Coach Mike Budenholzer
• Jevon Carter
• Grayson Allen
• Wesley Matthews
• Jordan Nwora
• Joe Ingles

Rotation

• Guards
  • Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley, Cam Payne
• Wings
  • Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, Marjon Beauchamp
• Forwards
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jae Crowder
• Bigs
  • Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Robin Lopez

Random thoughts, opinions, comments, declarations, queries, editorials, etc.

So, let me get this straight. The Bucks finished with 58 wins, leading the NBA. They’re bringing back their core, which includes arguably the best player in the league, and they’re replacing their starting PG with a TOP 75 player of all time. And yet, everyone seems to think they’re done.

Look, I get it. Losing in the 1st Round was a massive disappointment. But when you lose your best player, and you’re going up against the Zombie Heat (Bill Simmons), who happen to be coached by the best coach in the league, it’s not a total shock to me.

However, we all tend to be much too quick to anoint, and yet, also much too quick to dismiss. The Bucks aren’t going anywhere. Losing Bud is a factor, sure. He’s one of the best regular season coaches in the NBA. But his stubbornness always came back to bite him in the playoffs. Last season was simply the final straw. More importantly, the upgrade from Jrue to Dame. I LOVE Jrue Holiday. Always have. But I find it serendipitous that one of the most underrated players in the league is being replaced by THE most underrated player in the league in Dame Lillard. I’m convinced that if you put Dame on the Knicks or Lakers all these years, he’s being discussed in the same historical breath as guys like Kidd, Payton, Stockton, and CP3. Dude’s that good. I’m so excited to watch the Dame-Giannis Pick & Roll. Just hope everyone stays healthy. They’re my pick to come out of the East.

Last Year – Interesting Stats:

• 58-24 last year, 1st in the entire NBA
• Def Rating: 111.9 (4th in the NBA)
• 4th in 3s made and 3s attempted
• 1st in Total Rebounds
• Jrue averaged 19.3 ppg on 48% shooting
• Jrue averaged 17.8ppg on 40% shooting in the playoffs

Keys to Success:

The Dame-Giannis Pick & Roll becomes this generation’s Stockton-Malone, Middleton stays healthy, Brook Lopez fights off Father Time, Adrian Griffin blends seamlessly with his stars, Pat Connaughton shoots 40% from 3, Bobby Portis becomes legit 6th Man of the Year candidate

Potential Obstacles:

Brook can’t continue to win his battle against Father Time, their lack of depth kills them in the regular season, Middleton remains consistently inconsistent, Adrian Griffin is overwhelmed as a rookie head coach with all the expectations and all eyes on him

Hot takes:

• TyTy Washington puts an end to the run of Kentucky guards thriving in the NBA (Booker, Murray, Herro, Maxey, Quickley)
• Giannis establishes himself as tied with Jokic as Best Player in the League status
• Dame has second straight All-NBA caliber season
• Middleton makes it back to the all-star team
• Brook Lopez plays less than 65 games
• Drew Timme makes the team

STANDINGS PREDICTION: 3RD IN THE EAST