The Milwaukee Bucks came up short losing 85-91 in their home preseason opener against the Chicago Bulls at the Bradley Center Saturday night.
Chicago started the game on a 10-0 run, but after the slow start Milwaukee was able to gain ground and turn it into a game. Milwaukee climbed their way back little by little. With a new offensive system in place, Milwaukee seemed to have good ball movement for most of the night, something Jason Kidd was stressing before the game. Milwaukee struggled with the match-ups against Pau Gausol and Joakim Noah. Gasol proved that basketball is a game played above the rim and made it look easy a coulple of times over Larry Sanders. Ersan Ilyasova also struggled containing Gasol and Taj Gibson through-out the night.
Rookie Jabari Parker led the Bucks with eight points at the half. Jason Kidd talked before the game how he wants to see Jabari, the second overall pick, be a playmaker this year. Kidd mentioned it is hard to ask that out of a 19 year-old and he knows that he may have to be patient. Parker was able to get open shots and create his shots. That is a good sign, especially for a Chicago defense coached by Tom Thibodeau. If you don’t already know, “Thibs” prides himself on defense. You do not play in Chicago if you do not play defense.
The most important things to take out of these pre-season games is how the team is picking up the offense and working under Jason Kidd and how the younger players are adjusting to the NBA style of basketball. The Bucks first round draft pick of last year Giannis Antetokounmpo, seemed to struggle against Chicago’s bigs tonight. It isn’t the most surprising thing as he went up against the defensive player of the year in Noah. However, Giannis will have better days ahead and will keep improving. He did have a very strong fourth quarter and moves down the floor very well.
One thing that stuck out for tonight is the fast-break point for the Bulls. The Bucks were unable to get back on transition defense a couple of times. The Bulls were able to go coast-to-coast too easy for as young and quick as the Bucks should be. That’s something Kidd had addressed before the game, mentioning the quickness of Chicago’s guards and how he wanted to limit that part of their game.
Chicago will be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, if they can stay healthy. They have depth off the bench and can are legit title contenders this year. That being said, the Bucks played very solid against their number one’s, and number two’s a good sign to come.
The bottom-line is there was a lot of good Milwaukee was able to take out of this game. Parker looked good, the offense didn’t hit many road bumps, and they kept up with a dominant team in the Eastern Conference. It is obvious the future is bright for the Bucks as Thibodeau had mentioned before the game.
If fans are patient with the Bucks, they will be able to see this team grow and become relevant in Wisconsin again. After questioning the move of bringing Jason Kidd in as head coach and the pick of Giannis last year, its now certain they were the right moves. Add a 19-year old All-Star caliber to the mix in rookie Jabari Parker and you have a recipe for success.
The future is looking bright Milwaukee. Hang in there.