Milwaukee Bucks: A Bright Future Ahead

The Milwaukee Bucks are having one of their more trying years in the NBA, this season. After trading who many thought was their cornerstone point guard in Brandon Jennings, the team consists of an interesting roster. The current team is averaged at age 25, and it is evident that the growing pains that they have experienced are warranted. They currently sit at the second-worst record in the league at 14-58.

Newly hired head coach Larry Drew is at the forefront of this team, and he is definitely having his work cut out this season. O.J. Mayo was their big signing during the 2013 free agency period, and they also added ZaZa Pachulia, formerly of Drew’s Atlanta  Hawks. Mayo was recently ejected from a contest, with no regrets, and has fallen out the rotation since that time. During the recent ejection, a glare was shared with Drew, that was definitely telling of their relationship (video below).

Former San Antonio Spurs guard Gary Neal, who signed a two year, $7 million dollar deal with the Bucks was traded for Ramon Sessions due to his time in Milwaukee being far from the Popovich experience. Sessions, in his second stint in Milwaukee, joins Nate Wolters, rookie guard from South Dakota State, in the backcourt. Rounding out the group, is Brandon Knight, the former Kentucky Wildcat standout, who notched 30 points in a win vs. the Lakers (108-103), last night.

One of their more important pieces in Larry Sanders, who has been a shell of his former self. Several off-court issues, and a season-ending injury has slowed the big man’s progress. Sanders was becoming one of the league’s premiere paint defenders, but has not seemed to string it all together, as expected. The franchise is looking forward to Sanders to return next season, focused and healthy.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has definitely been a pleasant surprise for this team. His averages are only at seven points per game, along with four rebounds, but his defensive and offensive potential are enough for Bucks fans to be more than pleased with. The buzz has not come to surface for what young prospects like Knight, Wolters, The Greek Freak, and Sanders can become. The dynamic of Larry Drew returning next season will be a factor that many will keep their eye on, as well. His leadership will be much needed heading into the Eastern Conference battlegrounds.

The possibilities become even more endless when you consider the fact that Milwaukee may have a chance at the top selection in the 2014  NBA Draft. Adding an Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, or Joel Embid would provide a core that could bring excitement back to a franchise that finished last season in the NBA playoffs.

Time will tell for these guys, but they will have to rite the storm, and look to the next few years of what could be a joyous time in the great state of Wisconsin.