2013-2014 Record: 15-67
Offseason Roster Additions
NBA Draft: Jabari Parker, Damien Inglis and Johnny O'Bryant
Free Agency: Kendall Marshall and Jerryd Bayless
Trades: Jared Dudley
Offseason Roster Subtractions
Free Agency: Jeff Adrien
Trades: Carlos Delfino and Miroslav Raduljica
Keys to Success
Let me preface this overview with one simple fact -- if Jabari Parker fails, the Milwaukee Bucks will fail. The Bucks’ immediate future starts and ends with Parker, not only because he will bring talent, but also because he will provide a much-needed improvement to an already decent frontcourt.
The Bucks were very blessed to have the Chicago native fall into their laps as the second overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. Parker will benefit from being so close to his hometown, resulting in this organization seeing advancement in skills and prosperity -- something that Bucks fans haven’t seen as an organization since the Kareem Abdul Jabbar years, from 1969-1975.
The one player who has the most to gain by Parker’s presence is Larry Sanders. Sanders has had his issues in the past with effort and focus on past Bucks’ teams that have admittedly been horrendous. Sanders’ legal troubles have been a worrisome sight the past two seasons and an organizational shift will do him some good in that department.
Parker will create a positive vibe in the locker room, and will create a sense of pride and focus within Sanders that none of us have seen from the 6’11 power forward. Sanders will benefit from the offensive balance between Parker, Illyasova, Mayo, and himself. Sanders can very likely average 18 points a game and10 rebounds a game for the Bucks in 2015.
The only downside to this emerging Bucks organization is its backcourt, primarily focusing on O.J Mayo. Mayo has, throughout his career, displayed a poor attitude in every locker room he has ever been in. There is a reason that the Memphis Grizzlies decided not to re-sign Mayo in 2012, instead replacing him with a far weaker offensive player in Tony Allen. Allen was put in Mayo’s place simply because of the positive attitude that Allen’s defensive game brought to the Grizzlies.
That isn’t to ignore Mayo’s offensive ability; it is simply an indictment on the damage he has already caused to the Milwaukee Bucks. I have strong feelings that by season’s end the Milwaukee Bucks will trade Mayo due to fear of his complacency, plaguing the prodigal son, Jabari Parker.
Fantasy Preview
Fantasy-wise, the Bucks are one of the biggest risks in the NBA. Jabari Parker and Larry Sanders are both high risk-high reward fantasy players. Parker has the legitimate chance of becoming the Rookie of the Year and Sanders could see a renewal in his career. Parker will definitely be a positive player in the Free Throw, FGP (Field Goal Percentage) and Offensive Efficiency categories. Sanders can dominate in the Rebounds and FGP categories, especially with Parker spreading the floor more for him to dominate the paint.
The one player to avoid on this team will be O. J. Mayo. Mayo will be in roster purgatory for much of the season as the Bucks will try to avoid any clashes between him and Parker. His lack of an offensive role in favor of Sanders and Parker will create complacency and a lack of overall effort that will crush any fantasy owner’s dream of this has-been being in any way useful for this season.
The Bucks adding Jerryd Bayless also leaves some questions on whether Mayo will have a role on this team considering his previous destructive tendencies. Mayo will destroy your FGP, Turnover, and Assist categories if he is drafted or left on your roster on waivers. Don’t pick up Mayo, he’s the worst high pick of the season and won’t play enough quality minutes to make a difference for your fantasy team this year.
2014-2015 Season Predictions
Record: 30-52
Team MVP- Jabari Parker
Most Improved Player- Larry Sanders
Biggest Disappointment- O. J Mayo