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3 observations of 2022 Milwaukee Bucks preseason schedule

By Brian Sampson

BOSTON, MA - MAY 01 Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 1, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 01 Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 1, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks’ full preseason schedule has finally been released and will present some unique challenges.

They tip-off the exhibition season with a home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 1st before traveling to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Golf. They’ll play two contests against the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Abhu Dhabi Games 2022 on October 6th and 8th before returning to the United States. They’ll wrap up their preseason slate with a game at the Chicago Bulls on October 11th and at home vs the Brooklyn Nets on October 12th.

With the full five-game schedule released, here are three observations about their warm-up for the regular season.

Here are three observations of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2022 preseason schedule that was fully released earlier this week.

Observations about Bucks’ preseason schedule: Familiar foes

The Bucks will take on the Grizzlies, Bulls, Hawks, and Nets in their five games–four teams they are very familiar with. Taylor Jenkins, a former assistant coach under Mike Budenolzer in Milwaukee, has led the Grizzlies to a similar path to the upper echelon of the NBA that the Bucks took when Budenholzer came to Milwaukee. Memphis is young, tough, exciting and led by one of the rising stars in the league.

Milwaukee has seen the other three teams in the last two postseasons, defeating each one. Chicago is looking to build on their surprise 2021-22 campaign. The Hawks added Dejounte Murray in the offseason and are trying to recapture the magic from their Eastern Conference Finals run two years ago. Who knows what’s going on with the Nets at this point.

Observations about Bucks’ preseason schedule: Lots of travel

It will be a gruesome travel schedule for the Bucks. They travel to Abu Dhabi for an October 6th game, have one day off before another contest on October 8th and then travel across the world to Chicago for another game on the 11th. To make matters worse, that’s the first night of a back-to-back as they must be in Milwaukee the following day for their last preseason game.

Budenholzer is historically cautious with his players in the regular season so I can’t even imagine how he’ll treat all of this travel for a meaningless preseason slate. Don’t be surprised to see most of the top guys sitting out a lot of time and missing games altogether.

Observations about Bucks’ preseason schedule: Quick turnaround

Speaking of Budenholzer being cautious, it’s an extremely quick turnaround for the Bucks on several fronts.

First, they must travel across the world and play another game with only two days in between. It will be challenging to ensure players have enough rest and are re-adjusted to the time zones in that short period.

The next turnaround happens when the Bucks have a back-to-back on October 11th and 12th. With the NBA leaning away from consecutive games over the last few years, it’s surprising to see the Bucks have one in the preseason. Hopefully, this eliminates one of the regular season back-to-backs (doubtful, but a man can hope).

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