Milwaukee Bucks Ultimate 2022-23 NBA Season Preview
![May 11, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports May 11, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5d7ecb55ef36445b4d8c406d1e643288a253d782a44ca8dbd29a41b2a2bb0585.jpg)
Forwards
Middleton and Joe Ingles make up the forwards who are projected to make the Bucks’ final roster. The duo is hurt right now with the former predicted to return early in the season and the latter out for at least a couple of months.
When healthy, however, each player brings a diverse skill set that will be critical to a championship run.
We saw Middleton ride the tough shot express throughout the 2021 playoffs and help lead the Bucks to a Finals victory. He hit several clutch shots down the stretch and was often Milwaukee’s go-to guy when they most needed a bucket. Antetokounmpo has since diversified his game, but they still need that end-of-the-game playmaker.
Speaking of playmakers, Ingles will give the Bucks another guy they can rely on with the ball in his hands. He’s not going to blow by someone off the bounce, but he is a great ball-handler in the pick-and-roll and will find open teammates for scoring opportunities. He can also spread the floor to provide spacing for Middleton, Antetokounmpo and others. It will greatly increase their championship aspirations if these two are healthy for the postseason.
Rating: 8/10