On paper, the Milwaukee Bucks still remain to be one of the top teams in the NBA. This has been the case for them over the past few seasons, but unfortunately, they just haven’t been able to live up to the lofty expectations when it matters the most.
Injuries have played a significant part in the team’s lack of success of late, and at this point, the Bucks are hoping that this won’t be the case again for them in 2023-24.
Milwaukee Bucks HC Adrian Griffin Spills on Giannis, Khris Middleton’s Health
The good news for Bucks fans is that their two stars are heading into training camp with a clean bill of health. Speaking in a recent interview, new Milwaukee head coach Adrian Griffin was asked to provide an update on the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton ahead of training camp. Milwaukee supporters will be glad to know that both stars are currently on track to be ready for camp when it opens on October 3rd:
“That’s the plan,” Griffin said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “They’ve been working their butts off. They’ve been in the gym every day, just grinding. I think the most important thing is just to take it day-by-day, and that’s what they’re doing and it’s been terrific.”
It goes without saying that the health of these two stars will be integral to Milwaukee’s success this coming season. Giannis, in particular, needs to be healthy especially come playoff time. As was made evident by last season’s disheartening first-round exit against the Miami Heat, the Bucks can only go as far as a healthy Giannis Antetokounmpo can take them.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton Both Coming Off Injuries
Khris Middleton is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, at least injury-wise. He was in and out of Milwaukee’s lineup throughout the regular season, playing a total of just 33 out of the team’s 82 contests. The two-time All-Star was able to return just in time for the playoffs, but Middleton clearly wasn’t a hundred percent.
Similarly, Giannis ended up missing a couple of games for the Bucks in their opening-round playoff matchup against Jimmy Butler and Co. Antetokunmpo’s back injury turned out to be the deciding factor for the Bucks, who were humbled by the Heat in five games.
Antetokounmpo then underwent a cleanup procedure in his knee shortly after the season ended, which is the same issue that forced him to miss Greece’s FIBA World Cup campaign last month. This may have been a blessing in disguise for the Bucks, though, with Giannis able to get a full summer of rest.
So long as Giannis, Middleton, and the rest of the team remain (relatively) healthy this coming season, the Bucks should emerge as title favorites yet again.
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