A year ago, the Milwaukee Bucks were just opening up their brand new Fiserv Forum Arena. Yesterday afternoon, the Bucks played a full game of scrimmage in their brand new arena in front of over 12,000 fans during an open scrimmage event.
And they looked used to it. Of course they were used to it, after coming off the run they had in the playoffs last year. It was the run in which brought the Bucks just one round shy of playing in the Finals and winning (possibly) the coveted championship. But yesterday was about more than showing off the new arena or looking used to anything. It was about figuring out how they are going to stay afloat the NBA’s tough competition and top contenders with everything new.
The scrimmage was set up exactly like an inter-squad scrimmage. It was Black vs White with Bucks players on each side. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, George Hill, and Sterling Brown were on the White team and Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, Ersan Ilyasova, and D.J. Wilson (who did not play due to a hamstring injury) were on the Black team, just to name a few. There were some new Bucks who joined the squad, which included but not limited to, Wesley Matthews, Frank Mason III, Kyle Korver, Dragan Bender, Robin Lopez, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
In the mix are a pair of brothers, which added to Sunday’s showing of the roster and what is new to this season. Robin Lopez joins Brook Lopez and Thanasis Antetokounmpo joins Giannis Antetokounmpo in the frontcourt this season.
Throughout the scrimmage, the brother duos proved their worth, especially the older Antetokounmpo who came up with a couple steals and scored some baskets under the rim and on the fast break. Lopez, who was guarded by his brother, did what he did best and came up with six rebounds.
Highlights included strong showings from other newcomers, such as Jaylen Adams, Cam Reynolds, and Donte DiVincenzo, a sharpshooting guard who was drafted by the Bucks last year. DiVincenzo impressed with 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Adams and Reynolds, who are apart of the Bucks preseason roster, added double-digit numbers.
A scoring rampage from reigning MVP Giannis started off the scrimmage. Giannis and Brook led the White Team with 29 and 14 points respectively. Middleton and Bledsoe were leaders for the Black Team with 23 and 21 points. In spite of Antetokounmpo’s leadership, The Black Team came out on top, 97-95.
The roster, the arena, and the fans pretty much sums up what the Bucks will be bringing to this new season. The goal for the Bucks seems to be being the best, or at the very least, the best they can be, with Antetokounmpo leading the way. The obstacle, though, still seems to be can they, though, amongst other talent-filled rosters and their arenas and fans around the league.
The depth of the Bucks is remarkably comparable to others, but also questionable especially since losing Malcolm Brogdon. Also, the will to win is increasingly difficult each season.
Last season brought the Bucks the top record in the NBA, and even 60 wins, but although they achieved this level of success, they lost in the bitter end. The Bucks not only lost last year, but they lost in a familiar way. They lost to Toronto, whose fans in the North have an unmatched support and by losing, they also missed out on facing the Warriors, a team that has succeeded in winning and who has unmatched depth and talent.
This means that this year must be different, which explains the Bucks new additions and their urgency to stand out. This means that this year they must win, which explains their will to win and urge to persist forward.
The scrimmage showed that and more. Following the game, which was played through just the third quarter, the Bucks engaged with the fans and media to conclude the event.
The Bucks will get their first chance to show and prove in the preseason opener against the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. Milwaukee will return home to Fiserv Forum on Wednesday for more preseason action against the Utah Jazz.