National Basketball Association

Milwaukee Bucks: Five Crazy Predictions For The 2016-17 NBA Season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Milwaukee Bucks are typically far from normal. Here are five crazy predictions for the coming season that just might come true.

Oct 15, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) battles for a rebound against Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) in the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

One mantra that tends to always apply for Milwaukee Bucks fans is to expect the unexpected. The Bucks have been weird lately, both in good and bad ways.

Every year, Zach Lowe writes a piece about his crazy predictions for the coming NBA season. This piece is ripped off directly from Lowe’s idea–it’s just localized to Milwaukee.

There are rules here, even in the craziness. Completely outlandish things are ruled out: Rashad Vaughn won’t be MVP, Jabari Parker won’t become a Defensive MVP and Matthew Dellavedova isn’t going to break Stephen Curry‘s three-point record from last season.

These predictions are somewhat out there though, so please do not take them as things that will certainly happen. None of them could, or all of them could, but they’re far from guarantees.

The final rule is that none of Lowe’s predictions will be regurgitated. The only Bucks-focused prediction he made this year is that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be an All-Star, so that won’t be one of the five included here.

Oct 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Michael Beasley (9) shoots the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

This Is The Year Michael Beasley Shapes Up

Michael Beasley has always tantalized NBA teams with his athleticism and scoring ability. Unfortunately, he’s always failed to stick around with teams, due to his questionable behavior on and off of the court.

His latest landing spot is Milwaukee, and according to all accounts he’s finally ready to turn a new leaf. Beasley has still shot too often in the preseason, but it’s not too late for him to make smarter decisions.

He’s clearly got the talent to make an impact on the NBA. Beasley turns 28 in January, so he’s far from ancient, even by NBA age standards. He’s also 6’9″ with a seven foot wingspan, which explains why he’s such a great rebounder.

If Beasley can stop shooting literally every time he touches the basketball and abstains from getting in trouble off of the court, he could really end up sticking around with the Milwaukee Bucks.

That’d obviously be good for both parties. It’s been a full month now since Beasley was acquired, and so far everything has been roses. Hopefully that keeps up, and Michael Beasley goes from punchline to productive bench contributor.

Oct 8, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) dribbles the ball as Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea (5) defends at the Kohl Center. Milwaukee defeated Dallas 88-74. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

The Malcolm Brogdon Point Guard Experience Ends

Malcolm Brogdon has been billed as a point guard by the Milwaukee Bucks consistently over the past month. That won’t carry through the entire 2016-17 season, even if Brogdon ends up being okay at the job.

Even after the Tony Snell trade, the Bucks still need help at shooting guard. There’s no guarantee Snell fits in perfectly or works out, and he missed 18 games last season. Milwaukee needs a player for that spot when he’s sitting out.

Rashad Vaughn has not shown he’s suitable for the spot, and Jason Terry shouldn’t be seen as a starter at age 39. That essentially leaves Brogdon as the other option for the Bucks.

He could end up as the secondary ball-handler in lineups with Matthew Dellavedova, who is a good passer but not an adept dribbler. Brogdon’s shooting hasn’t translated to the NBA level yet, but as soon as it does he’ll be a threat to steal all of Vaughn’s minutes.

The Bucks want to win, and playing Brogdon more might be the best bet at doing that. If the minutes available are at shooting guard, the team won’t be able to keep him out of that spot for long. Milwaukee is short on point guards too, but with Giannis Antetokounmpo running the offense that spot is less important these days.

Mar 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives between Milwaukee Bucks center Miles Plumlee (18) and forward John Henson (31) in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

All Three Centers Start At Least 10 Games

The Milwaukee Bucks seem entirely ensure which of their centers is the one to go with. The Bucks need to trade one of these guys, especially if Greg Monroe ends up taking his player option for next season.

John Henson and Miles Plumlee are the other two options at the position, and none of the three have established themselves as the obvious starter yet. Due to his new, huge paychecks, Plumlee will likely get first dibs at the spot.

Bucks coach Jason Kidd will have to juggle them all to keep all three players happy though, and he’s been known to tinker with lineups in the past. A few bad Plumlee games, a favorable match-up for one of the other two or even a minor injury could cause another big man to get a shot manning the middle for the Bucks.

The center least likely to get those ten starts is Henson. He’s only started 44 games in four years with Milwaukee. This could be the year he finally gets his shot to do more than make spot starts, especially if one of the other two gets traded or needs to sit out for a few games.

Feb 27, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Aron Baynes (12) takes a shot against Milwaukee Bucks forward Steve Novak (6) in the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Novak Continues His Four-Year Trend Of Shrinking Games

Steve Novak appeared in 81 games in the 2012-13 NBA season. He got in 54 games the year after that, 35 games in the next season, and finally appeared in 10 games a year ago. The trend will continue this next season.

Novak has a few things working against him. The first is that he’s really not good at doing things besides shooting at the NBA level, and a lack of skills is never a good thing for an NBA player. Coaches love players who are able to do lots of things well.

The second thing working against Novak is the depth at his position. In this new, smaller NBA, he’s too slow to guard most small forwards. Novak was never really a small forward anyway–the only season he spent the majority of his time at that spot was 2007-08.

That means he’s a power forward now, so he competes with big guys for minutes. Although the Bucks don’t have a stable of guards and wings, the team is absolutely stacked with bigs.

Novak needs to find minutes behind Jabari Parker, Mirza Teletovic, Michael Beasley (who is a small forward but should probably also play power forward), Giannis Antetokounmpo (who could play either power forward or center in small lineups), Thon Maker, Henson, Plumlee and Monroe.

It just doesn’t seem likely that he’ll get much time there. Novak could find himself in garbage time games or potentially in spacing lineups, but his lack of defense and passing might preclude him from those spots too, especially considering Thon could get those garbage time looks.

Oct 8, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd talks with Milwaukee Bucks forward Thon Maker (7) during the game with the Dallas Mavericks at the Kohl Center. Milwaukee defeated Dallas 88-74. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Thon Maker Starts Games

Thon Maker will struggle to find minutes with all of the bigs on the Milwaukee Bucks roster, but he’s impressed in NBA Preseason and Las Vegas Summer League action. With Khris Middleton out for most if not all of the season, the Bucks will get funky with lineups.

Imagine how fun it would be to watch Matthew Dellavedova, Tony Snell, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Thon Maker all play together. Miles Plumlee could get in with that lengthy lineup too, as could Malcolm Brogdon or Mirza Teletovic.