The Milwaukee Bucks were dealt a tough hand during training camp when their leading scorer from 2015-16, Khris Middleton, was lost to a ruptured hamstring, but Jason Kidd remains confident in his squad going into the 2016-17 season.
Jason spoke with reporters during the Bucks’ Media Day on Sept. 26 and talked about the loss of his top offensive option and where the Bucks will go without him.
“We all understand it was a freak accident. It’s sport. We all would love to stay healthy and make very shot but that’s just part of the game,” Jason said. “But we have 15 guys. We’ve got to keep moving forward. We feel confident that we can still compete and we are going to compete. As a team we all have to step up and do a little bit more to help each other.”
Two days after Middleton’s injury, the Bucks dealt guard Tyler Ennis to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Michael Beasley. Beasley averaged just shy of 13 points and five rebounds per game last year with the Rockets, and Jason likes what he brings to the table, particularly on the offensive end.
“We were looking to add some scoring even before Khris went down,” J-Kidd said. “For Beas, he can play the three or the four, and maybe even in today’s game we can stretch him to the five. But we know one thing: He can put the ball in the basket. He’s a scorer and he can rebound the ball, so we’re very lucky to have him on board.”
While replacing Middleton’s offensive production will be key for Milwaukee, Coach Kidd is more focused on the other end of the floor. The Bucks’ calling card was defense two seasons ago, but Jason left last season disappointed his his squad’s play on that side of the ball. Milwaukee was No. 25 in the NBA in scoring defense last year—a number J-Kidd wants to see rise in 2016-17.
“Looking back, our defense, we took a couple of steps backward. That’s what we hung our hat on each night, playing defense and using our length. As a coach, I have to do a better job of reminding them that we need to get some deflections and steals and rebound the ball,” Jason said. “Being able to create turnovers is important. Our defense is what we’re going to start with. When you look at the teams that are consistent, they play defense first and then offense comes second. We have to defend better and guard the 3-point line better and that’s what we’re going to look at here in training camp.”
Defense was the difference between Milwaukee making the playoffs two years ago and missing them last year. But despite the team slipping in the standings, Jason doesn’t look back with regret.
The Milwaukee coach sees last season as a part of the journey and the learning experience for the young players on the roster, and hopefully, just part of the road to something bigger.
“It was a big positive, because we didn’t have any veterans. We were a young team and we went through it together and learned that it’s hard to win,” Coach Kidd said. “Nothing is given in this league. You have to earn it and I think our younger players understand that now.”
Now, even with Middleton sidelined for approximately six months, the Bucks are setting some goals—among them: another playoff berth, and eventually, a championship.
“It doesn’t matter if we have 15 rookies or if we’re the oldest team in the league, that’s the bar—if you want to be one of the elite teams in this league, you have to shoot for the playoffs,” Jason said. “And hopefully one of those years you make the playoffs, the ball bounces your way and you win a championship. That’s our goal here in Milwaukee.”
