My podcast partner Mitch hates the term, ‘Trust the Process.’ He told me this at the bar last Saturday. It bothers him because it’s a Sixers thing, first and foremost, who have become a pseudo-rival, and it’s something we see overused by people in all walks of life. That said, the process is what highlighted Milwaukee Bucks media day. This team did not change course at all in the offseason sticking with a very similar team heading into the 2017-2018 NBA season. With expectations higher than they’ve been in 15 years, can Milwaukee live it up to them or did we see the peak of this team last season?

The simple answer could be ‘yes they can’ for one reason and one reason alone – Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks superstar is ready to make another step to greatness this season. I feel like if you were to ask an NBA fan of the top five things you’re most excited for next season, Giannis is one of those five. He is hellbent on being an MVP candidate, and it’s something Antetokounmpo can achieve this season. Giannis isn’t the only one that’s a year older, and potentially better. The likes of Khris Middleton and Thon Maker could both be in for big seasons. The team should have Jabari Parker for the stretch run.

While there are dreams of this team winning 50 games and being in the Eastern Conference Finals, there is a real chance they fall flat on their face. There is still a ton of youth to this team, and questions marks about the bench still exist plus the big man situation did not really get better over the summer unless you count Maker putting on some much-needed weight. This team will still being playing a man down for a majority of the year with the absence of Parker, and things might look like Giannis has to do it all to win which was not how Milwaukee won last year.

It’s exciting that Bucks season is only a couple weeks away with the NBA bumping up the schedule. There’s going to be a real buzz with this team to begin the season, and hopefully, Milwaukee’s professional basketball team capitalizes on it.

Charlie.