The theme for Jason Kidd and the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason seems to come down to one word: relationships.

General manager John Hammond was re-signed and the Bucks’ new arena funding was approved, giving the Milwaukee franchise some long-term stability. But now as training camp begins for the Bucks, Jason and Co. are trying to build an even bigger relationship; one with the entire state of Wisconsin.

Jason did so by taking his team to the state capitol, Madison, for camp at the University of Wisconsin’s Khol Center.

“I think the other side of that is we want to not just be Milwaukee, we want to be Wisconsin. Being able to be a state team and this is hopefully the start of that,” Coach Kidd said. “Also, a start of a great relationship with the University of Wisconsin to have the opportunity to practice there, we’re a young team and so you have two college teams on campus here at Madison.”

ST. FRANCIS, WI - SEPTEMBER 28: (L-R) Jabari Parker #12 Giannis Antetokoumpo #34, Michael Carter-Williams #5 and Head coach Jason Kidd of the Milwaukee Bucks share a laugh during Media Day on September 28, 2015 at the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Training Center in St Francis, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

The team had a successful season on the court last year, grabbing the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and giving a tough six-game series to the No. 3 seed Chicago Bulls. J-Kidd told reporters that this team, which was the youngest to make the playoffs last year, is looking to handle that success and grow as a unit.

“I think there will be high expectations because of just the playoff series, but for us we have a long ways to go. We have to learn how to handle high expectations. We did quite well internally at handling no expectations. Growing to be one of those elite teams, we’re going to go through our growing pains of how to handle high expectations,” coach Kidd told the media. “When you become a team that wins in this league consistently, the expectations just get higher. For us, it’s just a matter of being able to handle that, grow but also we’re going to fall and when we get knocked down how do we get back up.”

The organization brought in Rod Thorn as a special consultant a few days ago and coach Kidd spoke about his importance to the roster. Coach Kidd played for Thorn during a very successful stint with the New Jersey Nets as well.

“He’s done everything humanly possible with the NBA from being a coach, being a player, being in the front office, being on the other side of the business with the commissioner so he’s done it all but he’s done it well,” J-Kidd said. “I had the pleasure to play for him in New Jersey and he knows what it takes to win, so we’re lucky to have him on board.”

Rod Thorn with Jason Kidd celebration

Positive signs at camp included forward Jabari Parker as a full participant, a player that the Bucks only utilized for 25 games before a left ACL injury forced him to the bench. Milwaukee can add a healthy Parker to newly-minted center Greg Monroe, swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo and frontcourt anchor John Henson. Those three will play major roles in coach Kidd’s rotation along with point guard Michael Carter-Williams and shooting guard Khris Middleton.

“I definitely see he’s gotten stronger for sure,” Monroe said about Parker. “I know what he’s capable of in games, and he looks good right now.”

It’ll be interesting for Jason to figure out a rotation with such a versatile lineup. The Bucks boast length and athleticism at every position. But fortunately, Milwaukee believes it has the right man for the job in Jason.

“I said last year Jason is going to be a first-ballot Hall of Fame player,” owner Wes Edens said at the team’s media day event. “I think he’s going to be a Hall of Fame coach. I think he’s off to a spectacular start. He’s only had two seasons now and you look at what he’s accomplished both with the (Brooklyn) Nets and with us. He’s a tremendously talented coach.”

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