MILWAUKEE -- The increased excitement level surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks was palpable inside the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Saturday, as fans got their first look at the new-look team.
In a three-quarter scrimmage with a 10-minute running clock in each period, the White team came away with a 37-34 victory over the Black team.
Nate Wolters, Ersan Ilyasova, Larry Sanders, Jared Dudley, Brandon Knight, Jabari Parker, Michael Eric and Khris Middleton made up the Black team, while O.J. Mayo, Johnny O'Bryant, Kendall Marshall, Jerryd Bayless, Zaza Pachulia, John Henson, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Elijah Millsap played for the victorious White team.
"We got a lot done," Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. "Sometimes as a coach or as a player you can't get anything done at a fan fest, but I thought the guys' attention to detail was big, especially with people around. There was a lot of good ball movement. There were a lot of good things today.
Parker led all scorers with 10 points in 24 minutes, hitting 5 of 9 shots from the field.
"At the beginning of training camp I was a little lost," Parker said. "But I think everything came full circle for me today.
"It's been real special for me, being thrown in the fire so early. I just love it that I'm being able to be around some good guys, real veterans. The experience is helping me go fast. I'm able to catch on a little better because I have good teammates."
Knight came out of the gate looking to get his teammates involved, racking up all of his game-high seven assists in the first half.
The third-year point guard added seven points on 3 of 4 shooting in a game-high 27 minutes.
"I've been most impressed with him since I've been here," Dudley said. "I didn't know he was that good. Offensively, he's very explosive. I think with him it is finding that next level as a pure point guard, getting everyone involved.
"We don't have many guys that can create a mismatch, and he's one. He's going to not only have to get his but make everyone else better if we're going to be a better team."
Mayo led the way for the winners with eight points, including hitting both of his 3-point attempts. Marshall finished with seven points and three assists, while O'Bryant added six for the White team.
All eyes were on Parker from the start Saturday, as the rookie received a huge ovation when he was introduced to the crowd. Parker missed his first two shots but got on track with an impressive finish off a lob pass from Knight.
"I had to steal that from Larry (Sanders)," Parker said. "We both ran the floor, but I just got off the floor a little before him."
The White team held a 32-27 advantage at halftime, which was just a short break before the third period began. The play was much sloppier in the third quarter, as turnovers allowed just 12 total points to be scored in the 10 minutes. With the team's fan fest ready to begin, the scrimmage was called after three quarters.
"It is the first step with the season around the corner," Dudley said. "You can tell with us, as with most teams early in the season, we had a lot of turnovers and different mishaps. But I thought the guys got better as the game went on.
"It is a long process. It is not going to be over one night, but you see the foundation being built with Jason Kidd. He's so calm and collected out there, even in practice."
The Bucks will take Sunday off before returning to the practice floor Monday. Milwaukee's preseason opener is Wednesday at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis., against the Memphis Grizzlies.
"We'll look at film and regroup," Kidd said. "We have a long week ahead. We're excited about the opportunity of playing a different opponent than ourselves."
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