Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls: An MLK Day/Pre-Paris Matinee

When we last saw our Milwaukee Bucks, they were beating up on an overmatched opponent. Today’s encore features the Chicago Bulls in an early tip-off on the holiday celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bucks Update

If you read Riley’s Monday Morning Media Roundup today, you’ll see that the recent run of highly-visible Bucks lovefests continues. That’s what happens when you’re the best team in the league with the sport’s best player. Another side-effect: there’s not much in the way of new stuff to talk about. Giannis Antetokounmpo does it all, Khris Middleton rides the Tough Shot Express, Donte DiVincenzo does stuff, and everyone questions whether or not Eric Bledsoe is the guy at point guard for a championship run. All in all, it’s what we’ve come to expect, and hopefully this ride goes on for a long, long time.

Player To Watch: Dragan Bender

Once is a fluke, twice is a coincidence, but three times is a trend. Today, with Robin Lopez doubtful with an illness, Milwaukee’s favorite former 4th overall pick turned reclamation project could be in-line to take on backup center duty behind Brook Lopez. This, on its own, may not be notable, but within the context of Milwaukee’s favorite former 17th overall pick turned Instagram sensation D.J. Wilson continuing to get passed over for playing time, fans’ interest has been piqued. Check out Kyle Carr’s more in-depth piece that decodes the situation, but definitely keep an eye on...really? Really? The Croation Sensation?

Bulls Update

Sheesh.

I know things were bad for a long time for Milwaukee, and fans were despondent for ages...but man it’s tough to see. Two guys that fans will not see are Otto Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. due to injury.

Player to Watch: Lauri Markkanen

Markkanen was touted as a future scoring dynamo that would propel the Bulls back to glory. That hasn’t happened, mostly because Markkanen can’t do much on defense and his scoring outputs are merely fine. His issues finding consistent ways to put the ball in the bucket have held him back as much as his injury troubles, and today he gets to match up against...Giannis.

Hoo boy.