The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Pre-Season NBA Power Rankings

By Bret Stuter

July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Brandon Ingram looks at the championship trophies before being introduced to media at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Brandon Ingram looks at the championship trophies before being introduced to media at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 24, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks first round pick Thon Maker holds up his jersey at Milwaukee Bucks training facility. Mandatory Credit: Sam Caravana- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks first round pick Thon Maker holds up his jersey at Milwaukee Bucks training facility. Mandatory Credit: Sam Caravana- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports /

Milwaukee Bucks

<p>The team that drafted Thon Maker was assured of capturing the interest of many this season. The challenge was that the Bucks drafted Maker nearly 15 spots prematurely.</p><div class=. (35-47). Previous: . Milwaukee Bucks. 22. team. 89

The Bucks do not fear taking chances.  In fact, they seem to be as renegade as the Philadelphia 76ers at times.  They have all but given the point responsibilities to the “Greek Freak”, Giannis Antetokounmpo, a move that has placed the future of Michael Carter Williams  (MCW) in jeopardy.   With the move, the Bucks are truly kicking the NBA closer to positionless basketball, and the team reinforced the change by announcing Giannis as next season’s point guard.

But MCW is not done yet, and he will remain the defender to the opposition’s point guard.

The loss of guard Jerryd Bayless to the 76ers hurts the team’s depth in the back court, particularly the loss of his offense.  The team hoped to counter that be signing power forward Mirza Teletovic.  The Bucks have a young nucleus, and they could certainly perform better this year, but the offseason moves added nothing for the team this season.  I leaned towards a slight improvement, but the loss of veteran Bayless combined with the challenge of reconfiguring their offense leaves too many questions.

Key Losses: Jerryd Bayless
Key Gains:  Thon Maker, Mirza Teletovic
Key Statistic: Scoring
NBA Power Rankings: 22nd

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22

Milwaukee Bucks (35-47)

Last rank: 23rd

The team that drafted Thon Maker was assured of capturing the interest of many this season. The challenge was that the Bucks drafted Maker nearly 15 spots prematurely.

The Bucks do not fear taking chances.  In fact, they seem to be as renegade as the Philadelphia 76ers at times.  They have all but given the point responsibilities to the “Greek Freak”, Giannis Antetokounmpo, a move that has placed the future of Michael Carter Williams  (MCW) in jeopardy.   With the move, the Bucks are truly kicking the NBA closer to positionless basketball, and the team reinforced the change by announcing Giannis as next season’s point guard.

But MCW is not done yet, and he will remain the defender to the opposition’s point guard.

The loss of guard Jerryd Bayless to the 76ers hurts the team’s depth in the back court, particularly the loss of his offense.  The team hoped to counter that be signing power forward Mirza Teletovic.  The Bucks have a young nucleus, and they could certainly perform better this year, but the offseason moves added nothing for the team this season.  I leaned towards a slight improvement, but the loss of veteran Bayless combined with the challenge of reconfiguring their offense leaves too many questions.

Key Losses: Jerryd Bayless
Key Gains:  Thon Maker, Mirza Teletovic
Key Statistic: Scoring
NBA Power Rankings: 22nd

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