Critics are not that sold on the Milwaukee Bucks, putting them in fifth to eighth spot in their power rankings. Some bookmakers also give them low odds when it comes to NBA title chances. Their leader Giannis Antetokounmpo is not hearing any of it.
Most of the predictions that say Bucks will struggle this season stem from their lack of a second star following their decision to release Damian Lillard who won’t play a 2025-26 season game anyway.
They did re-sign most of their players from last season except Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton and then added some young guards. For that, Antetokounmpo feels satisfied.
“We certainly don’t have a lot of experience, but we’re young; we have legs, fresh legs. We got a really good big man (Myles Turner),” Antetokounmpo said in an interview with Haris Stavrou of Greek outlet Sport 24.
Point guard is what they will miss from Lillard but Giannis thinks they found a replacement. He sees this guy as their X-factor.
“We got a good point guard, Cole Anthony, who I think will be an X-Factor and be the surprise of the year,” he added.
Anthony joined the Bucks last July after he was waived by the Orlando Magic who has been his team since getting drafted in 2020.
Milwaukee Bucks depth chart
Bucks released their roster for the training camp which will be held from September 30 to October 2 at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center. Two of the guys in the line-up are on two-way contracts.
Anthony, who already got wind of the Greek Freak’s praise of him, said he is excited to play with Antetokounmpo and together they can do damage on the pick and roll.
Credit: AP Photo
The thing is, he might do it from the bench as most prediction say the starting point guard role with go to Kevin Porter Jr. who has been a great backcourt support for Giannis since arriving there. Also occupying the backcourt role is Gary Trent Jr.
As for the frontcourt, Antetokounmpo is joined by new acquisition Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma.
Coming from the bench are Bobby Portis, Taurean Prince, AJ Green, Amir Coffey, Gary Harris, Jericho Sims, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
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