Ranking of the 17 most important players of the Bucks for the new NBA program

As we approach the return of the NBA, it is time to resume analyzing the league. From least to most, we rank the Milwaukee Bucks players in terms of importance to the team in the league’s new schedule and their chances of getting an NBA title.

17) Cameron Reynolds

The only player on this list not to appear in a game for Bucks, Cameron Reynolds is one of two guys with a two-way contract. The 6’7 “wing is a potential De-3 prospect, but it hasn’t completely perfected its game at both ends. If it sees time to play in the post-season, something has gone terribly wrong.

16) Frank Mason

Frank Mason won the 2019-20 MVP G-League with 26.4 points, 5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game, shooting 42.5 percent from the center. He’s also the guard at Bucks’ emergency point. He will spend the entire program idle and fought in a very limited game time this season.

15) Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Thanasis Antetokounmpo will not play a role on the pitch for the Bucks on their return, but it is an energy ball that can help keep the team strong during practice. He always gives his best – a must for someone whose basketball talent probably wouldn’t have earned him a place on an NBA list.

14) DJ Wilson

After an encouraging hike during the 2018-19 campaign, DJ Wilson has taken a step back this season; appears in just 31 games. Despite the defensive potential as a mobile, mobile, big changing device, it hasn’t been able to gain consistent game time. It is too big for a crime where he lacks contact practically anywhere on the field.

13) Sterling Brown

When everything goes wrong for the Bucks, Mike Budenholzer likes to throw Sterling Brown out there to see what can happen. Brown is a fierce competitor who immediately improves his team’s intensity and works on defense. Unfortunately, his offensive play – especially his external hit – was too inconsistent to gain regular playing time.

12) Ersan Ilyasova

Ersan Ilyasova’s role with the Bucks is surrounded by mystery after their mid-season retirement from Marvin Williams. There is not enough space in the rotation for two backup big guys behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. Ilyasova played well enough for most of the season to play that role. However, he lost a step in defense and was not nearly as effective as normal. He will still have every opportunity to regain his place in the rotation, but he expects his minutes to be far and few in the middle when the push comes.

11) Pat Connaughton

Pat Connaughton had a couple of great moments in last year’s playoffs when he found his shot from outside, particularly when he went 4 to 9 from the ground three points in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. With Kyle Korver and Donte DiVincenzo ahead of him in the rotation, he may not have the same opportunity to get hot. However, he’s a Budenholzer guy all the way, so don’t be surprised to see him have any chance of making a difference.

10) Kyle Korver

The time taken by Korver will depend on the matchups and the Bucks’ ability to hide it on defense. If they are successful in the latter, it could make a positive difference in the spacing of the floor. Even at 39, he made 41.5 percent of his three this season – that’s exactly what was missing from last year’s conference finals.

9) Robin Lopez

Although not quite up to his brother, Robin Lopez is still a good defensive center that secures the second unit protecting the edge. His three-point race (34.4 percent) is also a nice surprise. It may not compete well against all teams, but it will be particularly useful if Milwaukee is tied against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.

8) Marvin Williams

Marvin Williams provides the Bucks with a more mobile and athletic backup that can even space the floor when Antetokounmpo heads for the bench. Although he fought from the outside during his time with the Bucks, he is still an adequate shooter from the depths who can charge the opposition for abandoning him. It will be invoked for 15-20 minutes of quality play in each game.

7) Donte DiVincenzo

Donte DiVincenzo could prove to be the missing link to a Bucks championship. He missed last year’s self-sustaining season due to injuries and became a difference maker for Milwaukee this season. He is a great off-ball defender and does all the fast-paced game that the league teams need.

6) Wesley Matthews

Another difference between this year and the last one is the emergence of a good defender on the ball. Wesley Matthews will likely draw the opposing team’s best scorer, a role reserved for Khris Middleton. While Matthews can defend himself, Middleton will put more energy into becoming the second scorer the Bucks need. Oh, and Matthews also provides even more attack space.

5) George Hill

If Eric Bledsoe continues his post-season struggles (we’ll talk more about that in a minute), the role of George Hill will become even more important. It is extremely versatile in defense. In attack, he can run the show or play off the ball. He is also the championship leader in three percentage points (48.0), but has only gained 26.7 percent since January 24th. I miss old George, George right away.

4) Brook Lopez

A legitimate contender for the defender of the year, Brook Lopez blocked the fools on the edge, allowing 44.1 percent of the league leaders to score on the pitch within six feet. Now, if only he could understand his three point shot (his 29.6 percent is the lowest since he started playing three regularly in 2016-17).

3) Eric Bledsoe

The roster’s most enigmatic playoff performer, the Bucks desperately need Eric Bledsoe to play by his seasonal standards. Nothing more. Nothing less. Bledsoe is an elite defender on the ball that makes life difficult for opposing protections. He is also one of the Bucks’ best penetrators and hit makers. They just need me to stay out of my mind.

2) Khris Middleton

Outside of Anthony Davis, Khris Middleton has an extremely strong case for being the second best banana of this season. After getting paid last summer, he went through a career season. The Bucks will need you to continue complimenting Antetokounmpo perfectly if they want to raise Larry O’B.

1) Giannis Antetokounmpo

This is a no-brainer. You know that Antetokounmpo thrives in competitions and has already nicknamed this “the toughest championship you have ever been able to win”. It didn’t meet its standards in last year’s Eastern Conference finals and you can bet your sweet behind knows it. He’s out for revenge.