Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics Preview: New Season, Same Goals

While the offseason was very short, we went through what felt like one of the most stressful offseasons in Milwaukee Bucks history, with maybe 2015 being an exception. There was plenty to talk about between the Giannis extension suspense, what the team was going to do with Eric Bledose, the Bogdan Bogdanovic fiasco, and three preseason losses. But now that is all in the past and the Bucks can focus on trying to win a championship, and that begins with a game against the Eastern Conference rival Boston Celtics.

Where We’re At

As mentioned earlier, the Bucks have overhauled their roster with plenty of new faces to the team. Out are Eric Bledsoe, Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez, Ersan Ilyasova, George Hill, Sterling Brown; in comes Jrue Holiday, DJ Augustin, Torrey Craig, Bobby Portis, Bryn Forbes, Jordan Nwora and Sam Merrill. The preseason was an indicator that the team will need time to gel so the team will need to rely on Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez to hold their own. While they missed the last preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Giannis should be available for the season opener, while DJ Augustin is listed as doubtful.

The Boston Celtics go into the year with the main core they had last season. They did lose a few players in Gordon Hayward and Enes Kanter, but Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown will carry the Celtics who hope to finally break through to the finals after losing in the Eastern Conference Finals in three of the last four years. As Keith Smith over at Celtics Blog noted the adjustments will have to make after also struggling in the preseason.

It’s probably going to be that way, albeit hopefully not as drastic, until Kemba Walker gets back. With Walker recovering and Gordon Hayward gone, Brad Stevens no longer has the double duos he used last year. Right now, it’s just Tatum and Jaylen Brown. We’ve seen Tatum carry the offense by himself. Boston needs the same sort of growth from Brown, or the team is really going to struggle in non-Tatum minutes.

At the moment, the notable injury is Kemba Walker who had a procedure on his knee in the fall and won’t be available for a while and Tristian Thompson is questionable to play in this game.

Player To Watch: Giannis Antokounmpo

We have to start with the franchise player who recently committed to another five years in Milwaukee. It’s a relief to see we won’t have to stress about this anymore and now the single goal is winning a championship. Giannis will be hoping to win a second consecutive DPOY and third straight MVP this season, but it will be interesting to see how teams guard him in the regular season. Maybe the pressure of the supermax being gone will take his game to another level..and let’s also hope his free throws improve.

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