Quietly the best team in the league?

Milwaukee’s path to a championship in 2021 featured a lot of injury luck going their way, causing many to doubt the level of competition they had. While there may be truth to those arguments, Milwaukee was also perhaps a Khris Middleton injury away from going to the Conference Finals and perhaps even the Finals this most recent season. Injury luck goes both ways, but the Bucks are without a doubt legitimate contenders to win it all again as long as they’re healthy.

Below, check out our preview for the 2022-23 Bucks campaign.

Roster changes

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Returning: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, George Hill, Jevon Carter, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Serge Ibaka, Wesley Matthews, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Luca Vildoza, Lindell Wiggington

Additions: Joe Ingles (Portland), MarJon Beauchamp (G-League Ignite), AJ Green (Wisconsin Herd)

Subtractions: Rayjon Tucker (Melbourn United), Jordan Nwora

Strengths

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*”Break glass for Giannis in case of emergency”… Antetokounmpo reasserted his status as the best basketball player in the world with his absolute domination in the playoffs. He put the team on his back when Middleton got hurt and nearly led the Bucks to a series win over the Celtics. Unfortunately, Boston’s strategy on Antetokounmpo wore him down towards the end of the series. But still, the Bucks have just as good a chance as everyone as long as he’s playing at an MVP level.

* Defensive foundation built for a deep playoff run… The Bucks had the best defensive rating in the 2022 playoffs as they put the clamps on their opponents. Their closing five led behind Antetokounmpo and Holiday when fully healthy has just enough versatility to combat switch-heavy teams. Lopez was a revelation with his elite rim protection post-back surgery, denying just about everything that approached the paint. Their defense is now battle-tested after winning a title…