The time to “Fear the Deer” is sooner rather than later
The Milwaukee Bucks have seized the opportunity this off-season and have begun the transition from a young talented team to a legitimate contender in the distasteful Eastern Conference.
The Bucks made a splash in free agency by beating out the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers for free agent C Greg Monroe. Monroe, the 24-year old big man signed a three-year deal worth $51.7 million with Milwaukee. Think about that for a second, the Milwaukee Bucks beat out two powerhouse franchises for a top free agent on the basis of the competitive advantage that the Bucks could offer. Instead of hoarding cap space, the Bucks made some power plays, Monroe being the highlight move. In addition to Monroe’s signing, the Bucks traded draft picks to acquire Greivis Vasquez, re-signed Restricted Free Agent Khris Middleton and with their 2015 first round pick they selected the 18-year old Shooting Guard Rashad Vaughn out of UNLV (Vaughn averaged 16.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in five Summer League games)
A mere two seasons ago, the young Bucks hit hard with injury finished a dismal 15-67. However, Jabari Parker of Duke University who was taken with the #2 overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks came from all that losing. Having only played in 25 games due to an ACL injury during Milwaukee’s renaissance season left everyone gleaming with hope. A knockout type trade (Brandon Jennings for Brandon Knight and Khris Middleton) along with smart drafting and an upstart Head Coach in Jason Kidd allowed these young Bucks to finish the rebuilding season with a respectable 41-41 record and managed to grab the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Being such a young team gleaming with upside, signing a player of Monroe’s caliber can be alluring. Throw in the talent of Michael Carter-Williams (named Rookie of the Year in 2013-2014) Giannis Antetokounmpo, John Henson, Jabari Parker and its easy to see why there is growing sentiment that the Milwaukee Bucks can separate themselves from the sub-par pact that is the Eastern Conference and join the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls as real contenders.
Michael Carter-Williams driving on Derrick Rose
Giannis Antetokounmpo laying it up
Jabari Parker slamming it home against the Cavs
John Henson finishing against the Bulls
The Milwaukee Bucks first round playoff loss to the Chicago Bulls exposed one major issue. The Bucks inability to spread the floor and put up points as they finished 25th in Offensive Efficiency at 100.5. Acquiring Greg Monroe, Greivis Vasquez, resigning Khris Middleton and drafting Rashad Vaughn will certainly help shift the culture for the Bucks. However, Milwaukee finished second in team Defensive Efficiency at 99.3, behind only the eventual Finals Champion: the Golden State Warriors. Defense is certainly the strong point for this young team, so as long as they can find some offensive consistency through all these roster changes, Milwaukee will certainly be a team to be reckoned with.
The potential starting lineup for the Bucks boasts height, youth and talent.
-6’6″ PG Michael Carter Williams who averaged 14.1 points, 4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.04 steals in 25 games (23-years old)
-6’11” SG Giannis Antetokounmpo who averaged 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.05 blocks in 81 games (20-years old)
-6’7″ SF Khris Middleton who averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.54 steals in 79 games (23-years old)
-6’8″ PF Jabari Parker who averaged 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.24 steals in 25 games (20-years old)
-6’11” C Greg Monroe who averaged 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.09 blocks in 69 games (24-years old)
With a young team on the rise, and an innovative head coach at the helm, look for Milwaukee to make waves in the Eastern Conference. The last thing for this Bucks team to do is get healthy and develop some chemistry with one another, the talent and youth is there, then this team is on the verge of becoming a real threat in the East.
Alec Yanke is the Lead writer for the Milwaukee Bucks at RSEN. You can follow him on Twitter @AlecYankeRSEN
