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MILWAUKEE – Now that they have a long-term commitment from the reigning two-time MVP, the Milwaukee Bucks can focus on pursuing the NBA title that has eluded them for the past half century.
Milwaukee will go the entire regular season without getting as big a win as it did on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) when Giannis Antetokounmpo announced that he planned to stay with the Bucks for at least the next five years.
The Bucks could offer a five-year contract worth more than $ 220 million. Antetokounmpo had until Monday to decide or could have become a free agent at the end of the season.
“This is my house, this is my city,” Antetokounmpo said on Twitter and Instagram. “I am fortunate to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years. Let’s make these years count. The show goes on, we’re going to make it.”
Having the NBA’s best regular-season record and MVP in the league each of the past two years hasn’t produced any playoff benefit for the Milwaukee Bucks.
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They hope a roster review will help them clinch their first title since 1971.
The Bucks paid a heavy price to acquire guard Jrue Holiday to join a core that includes Antetokounmpo, All-Star forward Khris Middleton and center Brook Lopez as they try to solve their postseason problems. Milwaukee lost to Miami in the second round last season after ruining a 2-0 lead against Toronto in the 2019 Eastern Conference finals.
“Obviously everyone wants to win a championship,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m not playing to not win a championship. I’m not playing to be second, third or fifth. I’m playing to be the best. Obviously (you) want to be at the end, the last team standing.” But you have to take action for that. “
The Bucks delivered guards Eric Bledsoe and George Hill, first-round pick RJ Hampton and two future first-round picks as part of the four-team deal that brought Holiday to Milwaukee.
That trade could have seriously hampered Milwaukee’s chances of renewing its roster if Antetokounmpo leaves. But that’s no longer something the Bucks have to worry about.
“It’s special to add (Holiday) to our team,” said coach Mike Budenholzer. “Just the type of person he is and what he brings, we feel like you know, he fits us perfectly and will make us better.”
NEW MOB BENCH
The Bucks have an almost entirely new pool of reserves.
Hill, Robin Lopez, Ersan Ilyasova, Kyle Korver, Marvin Williams, and Sterling Brown are gone. The Bucks added Bobby Portis, DJ Augustin, Bryn Forbes and Torrey Craig.
Portis must provide punctuation and toughness. Augustin gives the Bucks a veteran backup point guard. Forbes delivers quality shots and Craig is a solid defender. DJ Wilson could also play a bigger role from the bank.
“I think one thing that I have seen throughout my two years here and I think it will continue this year especially is Coach Bud’s trust in riders and playing on a deeper bench than some NBA teams,” said Pat Connaughton. , one of the few reserves returning from Bucks. “I’ve been on NBA teams where eight guys play, sometimes nine, but you don’t really beat that. With the Bucks, we’ve had 10, 11, 12 guys producing.”
STRONG IN DEFENSE
Milwaukee should once again have one of the best defenses in the NBA. Antetokounmpo was the league’s defensive player of the year last season and Lopez was a second-team pick on the all-defensive team. Holiday was a fully defensive first team pick in 2018 and a second team pick in 2019.
CHEMICAL CONSTRUCTION
All the new faces on this list could make it difficult for the Bucks to post the NBA’s best regular-season record for the third season in a row. Holiday isn’t sure how long it will take for everyone to get used to playing together.
“I don’t think you can put a number on it, but with this group of guys, they take what they do seriously,” Holiday said.
THE RETURN OF DIVINCENZO
Donte DiVincenzo reportedly headed to Sacramento in the offseason as part of a signing and trade that brought Bogdan Bogdanovic to Milwaukee. That deal fell apart. Now the Bucks need a great season from DiVincenzo, who could move into the starting lineup now that Wesley Matthews has left for the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I’m thankful to be here and to have the Bucks crossed on my chest,” DiVincenzo said.
LONG DISMISSAL OF PORTIS
While the rest of the Bucks had a short offseason, Portis hasn’t played a big game in nine months. He played last year for the New York Knicks, whose season ended in March.
“I stayed dedicated to my craft,” Portis said. “I sacrificed a lot this summer and God blessed me for being in this position, being on one of the best teams in the NBA, so I’m not going to take it for granted.”
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