The Bucks are playoff bound, so now what?
The Milwaukee Bucks have already clinched a 2020 playoff berth.
Posting the league's best record at 49-8, the team has 25 games remaining before the start of post-season play.
Here are 25 facets of their game to pay attention to as they inch closer and closer to their first playoff series.
In no particular order...
25. Now that it's officially official, and the Bucks will play post-season basketball for the fourth straight year, how many more regular season games will Giannis Antetokounmpo play? He's averaging just under 31 minutes per game, but that will certainly increase in April, May and possibly June. Coach Mike Budenholzer knows that it'll always be a fight to sit the MVP, so will he?
24. How will Milwaukee continue to seamlessly work newly acquired veteran Marvin Williams into the mix? Historically, buyout players haven't made a huge impact on championship teams but the team feels that Williams impact can be felt beyond the box score.
23. Donte DiVincenzo is averaging 22 minutes and nearly 10 points per game this season. He wasn't available in the playoffs last year. How will the sophomore guard continue to mature as a contributing NBA player?
22. He's back from a hamstring injury. Potential Sixth Man of the Year candidate George Hill is an extension of Budenholzer when he's on the floor running the second unit. Although the minutes may shrink slightly, they need the impact of his leadership and efficient scoring.
21. This topic is gaining more steam as of late, but the evolution and addition of a turnaround jumper to Antetokounmpo's game.
20. Ersan Ilyasova is technically Giannis' backup. The team doesn't ask him to be Antetokounmpo when he's on the floor, but they need him to be in a healthy rhythm when the season winds down. He could give them effective playoff minutes, and maybe even draw a charge or two.
19. Another 'beyond-the-box-score' player, Wesley Matthews was signed to defend and be a leader. We'll see how Budenholzer uses him down the stretch, because when the team faces All-NBA type talent, they need his defensive prowess to be fresh.
18. Giannis started the season shooting 55 percent from the free throw line in October, and 59 in November. In December he increased to 64 percent and in February he's up to 66 percent from the charity stripe. See a trend here? He doesn't need to shoot 90 percent from the line, but the more he can stay north of 65 percent, the team should feel really good about their chances.
17. Similar to No.21, as Antetokounmpo continues to develop an inside jump shot, his ability to hit a three will loom huge for Milwaukee as well. He's not Kyle Korver, obviously, but if he can be a minimal threat, and make defenders think about closing out on him, it causes a problem for the opposition's entire defensive scheme.
16. Speaking of Kyle Korver, he also needs to get in a consistent rhythm before the playoffs begin. His instant offense, and skillset in the half-court offense will pay dividends.
15. Don't stop the wrestling matches. Keeps the team loose.
14. Do you like your Robin Lopez to sip tea or hit a left handed hook? Either way, his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, especially when brother Brook is out, is beneficial.
13. The Bucks don't really have any players who can only play offense or only play defense, do they? Is anyone on their roster an extreme liability on either end of the floor? That's a good sign.
12. Keep an eye on the competition. The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors are playing really well as of late, and gaining confidence. Both teams have recent playoff history with the Bucks as well.
11. On the flip side, the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat are experiencing injury issues. That doesn't mean they won't be a threat, but these two teams, as well as the Indiana Pacers, are getting bit by the injury bug at the worst possible time.
10. Khris Middleton is on the brink of joining the 40-50-90 club. That means he finishes the season hitting 40 percent of his three point attempts, 50 percent from the floor and 90 percent from the line. This is an exclusive and elusive club and would be a major accomplishment for the two-time all-star.
9. Will Antetokounmpo repeat as league MVP? He'd trade two MVP trophies for a championship trophy, no doubt, but it will be interesting to see how strong he finishes the season and how the votes shake out.
8. Don't let teams hang around. It was an issue for the team early, then they fixed their late game intensity levels. This issue is creeping back up for the Bucks as of late, especially when they give up monster performances to star opponents. Once you build a lead, you have to keep it. Especially when the other team is far inferior.
7. Brook Lopez has 7 technical fouls this season. Will he hit double-digits? Curious if there are Vegas odds on how many techs Lopez finishes with this season.
6. 70 wins would be one heck of an accomplishment. The players will tell you that they're only focused on the end goal of a championship. However, who wouldn't want to say that they won 70 out of 82 regular season games.
5. He doesn't care if he hits them, he needs to continue to shoot them and gain confidence. Talking about Antetokounmpo from beyond the three point line. Let it fly. Yes, this is a repeat. But, it's important for him to continually develop the confidence, and the success, to hit threes during a live game.
4. When Eric Bledsoe gets hot from three, the team plays on a whole other level as well. Watch for the team to get him involved from beyond-the-arc early in games, which will then open up the rest of the half-court offense for their point guard to operate. Looking ahead, the team will look for Bledsoe to play superior defense in the post-season too, especially if they square off against elite guards Kyle Lowry or Kemba Walker.
3. Budenholzer is going to decide how many players he rotates in during a playoff series. How guys play in the final 25 games, as well as matchup advantages, is going to play a big part on how far he looks down the bench come April.
2. Shoot to get hot. Shoot to stay hot. Mentioned this with Ilyasova, and Korver, and Hill among others. Horst has done a phenomenal job surrounding Giannis with shooters. When Giannis sees a double team, or triple team, or teams take away his ability to drive, these shooters, from Pat Connaughton to Matthews to DiVincenzo, have to knock down open looks and keep defenders on their feet. It's all about the rhythm.
1. STAY HEALTHY! Here's looking at you, Giannis.
Milwaukee Brewers: Spring Training Recap
There are 60 players in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse to start Spring Training.
The Wisconsin Sports Zone was live in Arizona, watching practices, meeting with players, coaches and team employees, covering their first week of full squad practices.
In case you missed any of the content, there are stories about honoring Jackie Robinson, recovering from injury and bringing your puppy to work, among others.
Enjoy!
Stories:
Owner Mark Attanasio says the team operated at a loss in 2019.
When Brock Holt was deciding whether or not to sign with Milwaukee, he called one of his best friends, former Brewers third baseman, Travis Shaw. Shaw spoke exclusively with The Wisconsin Sports Zone.
Lorenzo Cain has a custom shirt he wears under his uniform for every single game. It pays tribute to Jackie Robinson.
Corbin Burnes completely changed his off-season approach as he tries to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. Manager Craig Counsell is a fan of the adjustment.
Corey Knebel battles back from Tommy John surgery. All of his favorite activities were off-limits during rehab.
Audio:
Corbin Burnes joined The Good (Sports) Land Podcast. There's also audio from Christian Yelich, Ryan Braun and Counsell.
Listen to the exclusive conversation with Travis Shaw about offering a recommendation on Milwaukee to Brock Holt.
Newly acquired pitcher Shelby Miller joins the podcast. Does he have any ghost stories from the times he travelled to Milwaukee as an opponent.
Ed Sedar bring his puppy, Squirt, to the clubhouse. He always appears to be having the most fun on the baseball field. Especially when throwing batting practice to the outfielders.
Sights and sounds
Josh Hader's first live batting practice session of the season. Throwing against the new guy, Brock holt.
https://twitter.com/TonyCartagena/status/1230559365511278592
Ryan Braun takes his first reps at first base.
https://twitter.com/TonyCartagena/status/1230547664741158913
Catchers taking part in a unique drill.
https://twitter.com/TonyCartagena/status/1230185206008598528
Probably the most fun moment of the week, just listen to Lo Cain discuss Milk with Christian Yelich.
https://twitter.com/TonyCartagena/status/1230196448081219584
Corey Knebel is aiming for two trophies in 2020
Matt Harvey. Greg Holland. Jonny Venters.
Three of the last five National League Comeback Player of the Year award recipients all have one thing in common.
Pitchers returning to the mound after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Corey Knebel wants next.
"Selfishly, become the Comeback Player of the Year," the Milwaukee Brewers 2018 all-star told the Wisconsin Sports Zone about his goals for the upcoming season. "Unselfishly, win the World Series. I'd love to just be back in the post-season. Contribute to the boys.
"Two years in-a-row, we missed it by just that much. So, just to be there and help them out. Can't wait, man. To come back and be healthy and throw some high heat. Just can't wait, man."
The last time he took the mound, it was Game 7 of the 2018 National League Championship Series. During the following spring training, the decision was made to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss all of the 2019 season.
An operation that requires months of rehabilitation, Knebel could only watch the team as they made a push for the post-season last year. A feeling he described as a "gut punch" knowing there was nothing he could do to help.
"You're gassed going in to the post-season," he said. "But in the post-season another animal kicks in. So I was happy to see what the guys in the (bullpen) did last year, especially in the post-season. They looked good, there's always just one thing, you know? Even during the season, it's one mistake that happens and that's how it usually is.
"That's the name of the game. You can't change it. What is it, 'baseball is a game of inches?' That's exactly what it is. It was tough to watch."
Brewers manager Craig Counsell called Knebel's hardware aspirations a "great goal." Adding that he definitely has a shot at winning the award.
Knebel is continuing with his rehabilitation process. He's hopeful to make his 2020 debut after the first month or so of the regular season. He's currently throwing bullpen sessions on an average of two to three times per week.
"I can't really get too far ahead of myself in throwing," he said. "Trying to stay healthy, that's the main things. So, i'm getting ready to go. However long that takes, I'm going to be ready to go once I get back up."
For athletes, the underrated aspect of returning from injury is the mental capacity endure the ups and downs of the daily grind, plus getting yourself ready to compete at a high level again. Knebel said you "go through some stuff" while working your way back to full health.
He was fortunate enough to take a month-and-a-half to himself this off-season, traveling home to Texas to clear his head and prepare to play this season.
Unfortunately, his hobbies include golf, fishing and bow-hunting.
Three activities that you cannot participate in while rehabbing an elbow repair.
"I had to rifle hunt. And rifle hunting is not really too exciting to me," he said. "You check them out in the scope and pull the trigger. There's not really any work to be done until after."
That's where he was able to spend time with, and lean on his family. Wife, Danielle, and three-year old daughter, Ledger Staar.
"If they're both asleep, and I'm still up, I'll play some video games," Knebel said about his favorite non-family activities to do during free time. "You just got to throw in a couple of things here and there that you can't do, and you got to make do. Got to have some fun some how.
"My family is my biggest part of my life. I'd do anything for them."
As for his highly anticipated return to the mound.
"It's like ripping off a band-aid. You rip it off. We're all ready to go this year."
A tale of two off-seasons for Corbin Burnes
In October of 2018, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes watched the World Series. He had been on the mound just a week prior, pitching two hitless innings in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.
The next night, his team was one win away from playing the Boston Red Sox for a chance at the title.
After they lost in Game 7, Burnes took a "significant amount of time off" before starting his off-season training program.
"Going deep in to the post-season, not having done that much before, I took some time to have the body regroup," he said.
The approach was vastly different in 2019.
This time around, when the World Series was being played, Burnes' off-season schedule was already underway.
"It was one of those things where it was a little different of an off-season, but we had a pretty plan of what we wanted to attack," he added. "Coming in to spring we feel like we are in a pretty good place."
As a reliever in 2018, Burnes posted a perfect 7-0 win-loss record, striking out 35 batters in 38 innings pitched.
After transitioning into a starter in 2019, his record fell to just 1-5, surrendering 70 hits, 17 home runs and 20 walks in just 49 innings pitched.
"Corbin did take a different path this winter, for sure," manager Craig Counsell said. "Probably, the season caused that."
Despite the significant drop-off, Burnes said that the plan for him this spring is to be "stretched out" and competing for a spot in the team's starting pitching rotation. Refusing to be deterred by one disappointing season.
"I had a different focus this off-season," he said. "The previous year was more of just getting the body physically ready, getting the arm ready.
"This off-season was more of taking a mental approach, along with getting the body physically ready and pitching shape ready. But, the main focus this off-season was the mental side of things."
Counsell just wants his 25-year old pitcher to stay calm and confident.
"There are no evaluations going on right now," Counsell said of the potential pitching staff rotation. "So for Corbin, just a lightness to him is what I want right now.
"He is fired up about what he's doing, and that's the best part, because he should be. He has definitely put in a lot of work and he's made some adjustments all over for himself as a player and right now he's rolling with that and it's all good."
Burnes will throw live batting practice sessions during spring training, and will also be part of the starting pitching rotation when the team starts to play Cactus League games.
RELATED: Listen to Corbin Burnes on The Good (Sports) Land Podcast.
This off-season the team experienced hefty turnover, especially on the pitcher's mound. Zach Davies, Chase Anderson, Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Lyles are just a few of the names who are no longer on the roster.
Josh Lindblom, Eric Lauer and Brett Anderson are all new faces who are expected to contribute.
"Kind of in the same spot that I was in last year," Burnes said about the competition in camp. "That guy coming in looking to make one of the rotation spots. That's the focus."
Lorenzo Cain honors Jackie Robinson every game
April 15.
Some people have a calendar reminder set on that date because it's the final day to file state and federal taxes without paying a penalty.
In Major League Baseball, April 15 represents the anniversary of Mr. Jack "Jackie" Robinson breaking the color barrier for African American players in 1947.
In 2009 the league began a tradition to pay homage and commemorate Robinson's courage and legacy. Every April 15, each player, manager and umpire respectfully wears No.42 on their uniform.
However, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain doesn't wait until April 15 to celebrate one of his idols. That's just the one date where he's allowed to wear No.42 on the outside.
Every game before that date. And every game after. No.42 is underneath his Brewers jersey, on a custom undershirt that Under Armour made for him.
On the front is a silhouette of Robinson infamously sliding into home plate and stealing the base. On the back is a No.42, with the words "thank you" through the middle.
"I wear it every single day," Cain said during a conversation with the Wisconsin Sports Zone. "That just shows how much I appreciate what he did. Not only for me but a lot of a lot of African Americans.
"He's a very unique person. A very special person and he's definitely one of my heroes for sure."
As you walk towards the front entrance of the Brewers' training facility in Arizona, there are placards and large number statues honoring some of the team's legendary players and staff members.
Robin Yount, Rollie Fingers and of course Bob Uecker are on display.
Despite never playing for a Milwaukee franchise, Robinson's number is among them as well. The same way it's displayed proudly in the Brewers ring of retired numbers at Miller Park.
The league officially retired No.42 in 1997. It hangs in every major league ballpark.
Cain said it's "awesome" to see the subtle reminders of African American players who came before him. Not just Robinson, but Henry "Hank" Aaron, Larry Doby and other revolutionaries as well.
Doby broke the color barrier for the American League, three months after Robinson did it in the National League.
"They went through something that I don't think I could have went through," Cain added. "And allow myself and other African American players to play this game."
The goal now is to continue that legacy. Making baseball appealing to young African American players. Unfortunately, representation numbers are drastically sinking.
According to a 2019 USA Sports study, there were only 68 African American players on an active major league roster, injured or restricted list on Opening Day last season.
That's out of a total of 882 players.
7.7 percent.
"For me growing up, a lot of African American kids didn't play baseball," Cain said. "It's kind of basically going around and letting them know to be involved in all sports. It doesn't have to be just football and basketball."
A proud father of three, Cain added that he tries to teach his kids to be involved in as many sports as possible.
"I know a lot of athletic kids that chose just those two sports. Baseball is a sport where you can go out and be great at as well."
Baseball isn't the most accessible sport either. Finances are undoubtedly a deciding factor in whether or not a young kid decides to show interest in pursuing a game.
Gloves and bats are expensive. Balls consistently get lost and new ones need to be purchased. Fields aren't necessarily a given at every park, especially in inner city Milwaukee, either.
Plus, it takes more than a handful of neighborhood friends to get a game going. The kids from 'The Sandlot' could barely field a complete roster.
Locally, the Brewers Community Foundation and MLB's RBI league are working to combat that. Funding teams in the city and making baseball a reality for the youth, starting at a young age.
In this case RBI doesn't stand for 'Runs Batted In,' but instead, 'Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities.'
With American Family Insurance taking over naming rights to Miller Park in 2021, the Wisconsin based insurance company has also pledged money into refurbishing and building local youth and high school baseball fields.
"You just try to introduce them to the game," Cain continued. "Introduce more African Americans to the game.
"I think that's all you really do. Try to introduce them as much as possible and kind of go from there."
How Travis Shaw helped Brock Holt decide on Milwaukee
Brock Holt thought entering free agency would be a fun experience.
He quickly found out that the process is "stressful" and by his own admission he actually didn't handle it "that well."
As spring training camps opened up across Major League Baseball, Holt was at home, waiting to sign with a team.
On Wednesday, he was officially announced as the newest member of the Milwaukee Brewers organization.
"My wife, over the last couple of weeks was like, 'Hey, you need to get a job and get out of here," Holt joked while meeting with media members following his first team practice in Arizona. "I think she is finally excited that I am out of the house and not stressing about it.
"But, it's just one of those things that's part of it. That's the first time that I've been through (free agency). I feel like everything happens for a reason. It took a while but I'm happy to be here now."
As conversations between the Brewers and Holt picked up, Holt reached out to a good friend for advice. That friend just so happened to be an expert on Milwaukee and the inner-workings of the organization because he was the team's third baseman from 2017 until the past off-season.
The Mayor of Ding Dong City, Travis Shaw.
"(Holt) actually reached out to me about a week or two ago saying that the Brewers had some interest and that they were starting to talk," Shaw told The Wisconsin Sports Zone. "He was just asking about how the organization was and I gave him nothing but positive things.
"Brock is one of my favorite teammates that I've ever played with. He keeps it loose in the clubhouse. Obviously he is a great player, he can play all over the diamond, but just his presence in the clubhouse and in the dugout, he keeps things loose and he keeps things fun."
Shaw and Holt were teammates for the Boston Red Sox in 2015 and 2016.
"You always want to feel wanted, no matter what you do," Holt said of his decision to sign with Milwaukee over a few other interested teams. "I felt like the Brewers wanted me to be here and that was a deciding factor for me to get a deal done and I couldn't be more excited to be here now."
Milwaukee's general manager, David Stearns, said that Holt is someone the team has had on their radar for quite some time. Even dating back to when the Brewers initially traded for Shaw from the Red Sox, they thought then that Holt would have also been a good fit.
"To bring him in as part of this group, I think it's really beneficial agreement for both sides," Stearns said after the signing was officially announced.
"Brock has a lot of things that we like in a player. First and foremost he plays all over the field, and we really like those types of guys. We don't feel like you can have too many of those types of guys. It gives (Manager Craig Counsell) tremendous flexibility, allows him to mix and match in a variety of different ways over the course of the season, depending on who is healthy, who's performing and who we are playing."
Counsell is a fan of Holt's ability to play all four infield positions, and outfield if needed, and feels that he is a good insurance policy for the inevitable ebbs and flows of a 162-game season.
"One of the things we thought about, and kind of how our roster looked position player wise was probably the guy we were least protected on is that we are depending on Keston (Hiura) a lot. This protects Keston and protects us. Just in case, really.
"Now, Keston is going to be out there. This doesn't take away from Keston's playing time at all, but it does 'in case.' And, the thing we believe is that the 'in case' usually comes up."
Away from baseball, Holt will quickly become a fan favorite in Milwaukee, as Shaw remembers first hand him impact on the community and those around him.
"Step off-the-field," Shaw said. "All of the stuff that he did with The Jimmy Fund in Boston, in the hospital working with all of the kids throughout the community in Boston. He is just a class act all the way around and the Brewers definitely got a good one with him."
The Jimmy Fund is an organization in Boston that raises money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Holt was a five-year captain for The Jimmy Fund, He and his wife, Lakyn, would attend charity fund-raisers and events to help increase awareness and money for their efforts in treatment.
Although Shaw and Holt both played a lot of third base in Boston, Shaw, like Stearns and Counsell, was complimentary of Holt's ability to play all over infield.
"He's like the ultimate Swiss Army Knife," Shaw said. "He can play whatever and he plays all of those positions well, too. Defensively he is pretty good at whatever position he plays.
"He's a good pickup for them."
Shaw added that he was "kind of bummed" that Holt didn't come to Milwaukee just one season sooner, so the two could have played together while he was still on the team.
"After weighing my options, and looking at the roster that the Brewers have, I just felt like this was the place that I would be happiest," Holt added. "That's important to me. The money is great and everything, but at the end of the day, I want to be happy where I am at. I want to be able to build relationships and have fun with my teammates.
"Just looking at this roster, I thought I would be able to do that here."
Lorenzo Cain is one of those teammates, and he was the first person Holt saw upon arriving early to the team facility on Wednesday. The two had breakfast together.
"I just said 'what's up, Brock?' just saying hi and we sat down and had breakfast and ate and talked," Cain recalled. "He told me he is from Texas. I let him know I was a big (Dallas) Cowboys fan. Just a little conversation. We're just getting to know each other. Just kind of start from there and build off of that."
Holt said that Cain was outgoing and very welcoming.
"I always enjoyed watching him play," Hold added. "The way he is always smiling and always having a good time. I think we're going to have a good time together this year.
A day following the official announcement of Holt's signing, manager Craig Counsell commented on what it means to him and the team to receive a positive recommendation from a former player.
"It means a lot, it does. Travis (Shaw) had a tough season last year. It's challenging, it can color how you think for sure and I'm glad Travis remembers everything well here because he, withstanding a tough season, I thought he handled himself really well. He was a big part of the foundation and getting us to where we were at in 2018.
"It's important for sure. Especially when you're having to fill a team up in a season like this with free agency and you're competing against other teams for a guys services. Obviously the dollar figure is probably number one, but when the dollar figure is really close for guys and they have to make a decision, that's important."
Attanasio says the Brewers operated at a loss in 2019
The Milwaukee Brewers had a payroll of $135,889,019 in 2019.
That dollar amount, according to Sportrac, was the 16th highest in Major League Baseball and just slightly below the league average.
Ryan Braun, Yasmani Grandal and Lorenzo Cain were the only players who made more than $10 million for the season.
The team's 2020 roster is not yet finalized, but unless there is a block-buster trade where the Brewers take on a large contract, there is a ballpark estimate of where their payroll will stand.
23rd overall, right around $91 million.
"We had an operating loss last year," team owner Mark Attanasio told reporters at spring training in Phoenix, AZ. on Tuesday. "If you're going to run a baseball team properly, the season snap shots, you really have to look on a rolling basis how you're doing. We had some years as we were building and we want to keep our powder dry somewhat for the next opportunity, whether it comes next season or the next off-season."
This year Christian Yelich will make $12.5 million, replacing Grandal on the list of players who will surpass more than a $10 million salary.
Grandal left in free agency after accepting a 4-year, $73 million offer with the Chicago White Sox. The team also watched Mike Moustakas sign a multi-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds worth $64 million.
Milwaukee traded pitchers Chase Anderson and Zach Davies to help shed salary. They also released Eric Thames to avoid his pending $7 million payday in 2020.
"Franchises get into trouble when they overspend and end up with a mountain of debt," Attanasio continued. "Then you go into a long period of rebuild.
"This isn't a media guide, I didn't commission this statistic, (Milwaukee) is 5th in the National League in wins over our 15 seasons. I give our whole ownership group credit for that because they've been supportive of everything we've done."
The Brewers did spend some money in free agency this off-season. Avisaíl García, Brett Anderson, Justin Smoak, Omar Narvaez and Josh Lindblom are all new additions and all of them rank in the top-10 of the team's payroll.
Garcia is set to make $7 million in 2020.
"You can ask Doug Melvin and David Stearns both, in 15 years I've been blessed to have two great people in charge, I've never said no to a player acquisition because of cost. Never once because of cost," Attanasio said.
Looking back at the 2019 payroll, the owner admitted that the team went over their budget for payroll, but stood by not telling his general managers 'no' because of cost.
"We had an opportunity with (Grandal) that he came to us without doing a long term deal, and then (Moustakas) was available," he explained. "We had a budget. That exceeded the budget but we could get Moose, and we got him.
"Really if you look around the edges, and I asked (Stearns) this question, there is nothing that he didn't do this off-season that he wouldn't have done if we had a different budget number. He is always free to come to me and say 'look, I want to do 'fill-in-the-blank,' or I want to acquire 'fill-in-the-blank,' and I've never said no."
Attanasio did admit that the team would have liked to bring back Grandal, but a deal was never finalized.
"There is nobody we missed this off-season because of price that was on our list," he said. Then after a short pause, he continued.
"We did want to sign (Grandal), so maybe one."
Report: Bucks to sign Marvin Williams, cut Bender
The Milwaukee Bucks were quiet at Thursday's NBA trade deadline, but they're reportedly making some noise on the buyout market.
Shams Charania of The Athletic is reporting that Marvin Williams is planning to sign with Milwaukee, after he was bought out by the Charlotte Hornets.
Williams, 33, is averaging 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1 assist per game this season, but is known more for his veteran presence, defensive prowess and ability to hit catch-and-shoot three-point shots.
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1225982843945410560
In 2005, the Bucks held the NBA's No.1 overall draft pick and were torn between drafting Andrew Bogut and Williams. Ultimately, the team selected Bogut and Williams was picked No.2 by the Atlanta Hawks.
He has played for three teams throughout his 15 year career, Atlanta, the Utah Jazz and Charlotte.
Well respected amongst his peers, Williams was thought to be a hot commodity after his buyout. Kemba Walker of the Boston Celtics, who played with Williams in Charlotte, admitted he spent a month trying to recruit him to Boston.
https://twitter.com/AdamHimmelsbach/status/1225988052297928706
Walker's reaction when learning that Williams selected Milwaukee, was, in a word, priceless.
https://twitter.com/nicolecyang/status/1225991463399514117
To make room for Williams, Bucks general manager Jon Horst had to cut one member of the current roster. ESPN's Adrain Wojnarowski reported on Saturday morning that the team would release Dragan Bender.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1226169781612634122
Bender, a former No.4 overall pick, was signed as a free agent this summer and contributed sparingly, but made multiple stints for the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee's G-League affiliate.
Fantasy draft: Team Giannis
The rosters are officially set.
Sitting in the Milwaukee Bucks locker room on Thursday night, in front of a TNT camera crew, Giannis Antetokounmpo drafted NBA superstars Kemba Walker, Trae Young and Jimmy Butler, among others to compete on Team Giannis during the NBA's 2020 All-Star Game.
Loyalty runs in Antetokounmpo's DNA, though. With the first pick of the reserve pool, he stuck to his word and drafted teammate Khris Middleton.
The duo is averaging a combined 50.5 points per game this season.
Antetokounmpo said he was looking to draft players who are going to "play hard" and help his team win. His competitive nature is always on display, knowing he wants to avenge last year's 178-164 loss to Team LeBron.
LeBron James drafted Damian Lillard with his first pick of the reserves.
https://twitter.com/NBAAllStar/status/1225790092637327360
The rest of the Team Giannis roster includes Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam, Bam Adebayo, Rudy Gobert, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Lowry and Donovan Mitchell.
Team Giannis is playing to benefit "After School Matters," a charitable organization that focuses on providing after school activities, mentoring and tutoring.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1225591499062235136
Milwaukee Bucks: News and notes
The Milwaukee Bucks are 43-7 and currently hold a seven game over the Toronto Raptors for first-place in the Eastern Conference. Their central division lead over the Indiana Pacers is a whopping 12-game advantage.
February will be an interesting month for the team. Not only do they have an eight-day vacation thanks to the NBA's annual All-Star weekend, but they also play the Philadelphia 76ers twice and Raptors once during an eight-game stretch.
Milwaukee lost to Philadelphia in a rather non-competitive game on Christmas Day.
The other teams they play during that span include the Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Five opponents with an above .500 winning percentage in eight games.
March will come in like a lion as well, with three consecutive games against the Miami Heat, Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers.
News and Notes
They let Pat dunk
Reserve guard Pat Connaughton knows he'll be an underdog in the 2020 slam dunk contest, but that doesn't mean he's backing away from the challenge. It was officially announced this past week that he'll compete against Derrick Jones Jr., Dwight Howard and Aaron Gordon as part of All-Star Saturday night in Chicago.
https://twitter.com/pconnaughton/status/1224908067780907008
All around game
Two-time all-star Khris Middleton will represent Milwaukee in the game on Sunday, but he'll also partake in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge on Saturday night. Middleton dribble and shoot his way around a course against the likes of Spencer Dinwiddie, Patrick Beverly, Derrick Rose, Jayson Tatum and others.
Middleton has played in 43 games this season, he missed seven due to a thigh injury. In those games he's managed to keep his membership in the 50-40-90 club. He's currently averaging 51 percent shooting from the floor, 44 percent from three and 90 percent from the free throw line.
Confidence through the roof
Off-the-court, Donte DiVincenzo seems rather calm and cool at all times. On-the-court, he's a fiery competitor who hasn't shown signs of shying away from the big moment. Over his last ten games he's averaging 11 points per game on 50 percent shooting.
Not news
This will be news when it doesn't happen. Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January. He has won the award in every month of this season, plus eight of the last nine awards overall. Spoiler alert, Antetokounmpo will more than likely be named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in February as well. Probably March.
