NBA Talent Rankings: How the Timberwolves stack up against other young teams (Part One)
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jabari Parker (Duke) tips his cap to the crowd while standing with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
7. Milwaukee Bucks
Freaks And Greeks: Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Got The Goods: John Henson, Brandon Knight,
Jury Still Out On: Kendall Marshall, Khris Middleton, Nate Wolters, Damien Inglis, Johnny O’Bryant
Jason Kidd’s reputation may have taken a hit for jumping ship from the Brooklyn Nets to the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, but it should prove to be the smart long-term move. Brooklyn’s overspending and win-now strategy has hamstringed their ability to compete long-term, while the Bucks on the other hand offer nothing if not for a future filled with promise, as their roster is absolutely loaded with young guys who can play. The two headliners of course are Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Parker is a dynamic offensive talent who can score from anywhere on the floor. His per-40-minute averages in his only season at Duke were insane: 25 points and 11 boards. And as good as a basketball player as he is, he might even be a better person. He’s considerate, well-spoken, and people clearly can’t get enough of the guy as evident from this ridiculous recruiting pitch video from the fine fans of BYU:
As talented as Parker is, he can’t touch the raw abilities of “The Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis’ natural talent is just downright nasty. Still only 19, “The Freak” has reportedly grown to 6’11, and with his giant hands and 7’4 wingspan, he has no business having the ball skills of a guard, yet he has them.
He’s still a work in progress, but Giannis is doing things on the basketball floor that are uncommon to say the least. Not many human beings can travel 72 feet in two dribbles, but Antetokounmpo can, and he makes it look so friggin’ easy. Look for “The Freak” to take a major step in his second season.
In three years Parker and Antetokounmpo could make up the most lethal wing combo in the league. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s good to be a Bucks fan.