MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks introduced their two recent draft picks Tuesday at their training center.
The question is: How will two 19-year-olds fit in on a Bucks roster designed to win a championship now?
“The main focus is really just like working,” said first round pick AJ Johnson. “Getting to a point where the coaches want to play us and we can actually help the team win. Trying to get to that as fast as possible. Get as good as we can possibly get, so we can get on the court as fast as possible to help the team win games.”
“Just learn,” said second round pick Tyler Smith. “We have a lot of great vets around us. We’re 19 years old. We have a lot of time to develop here. And I feel like we’re going to get better fast. So just keep working and just see what happens.”
“It’s intentional,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst about the roster design. “We’ve got six returning core guys that we know are ready now to compete at a high level and take us where we want to go. We’ve got three returning young vets that contributed last year and should take another jump this year in Marjon, AJ and Andre. Chris Livingston had a great first year with us and he’s going to be ready to contribute also. And now we’ve got Tyler and AJ pushing there and we’ve got three spots on our roster right now in free agency. We’re going to go and figure out the best balance and how they fit the rest of that group.”
“One thing I love about young guys around veterans, it’s like it’s always a push-pull,” said Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers. “The veterans pull these young guys along, right? With their knowledge, with teaching the young guys. But then the young guys push the veterans with their energy and with their willingness to want to play every night.”
Johnson and Smith have been teammates before, in ninth grade AAU. Over his long coaching career, Rivers has coached young players before. He said he knows what to look for.
“The separator is character and love of the game,” said Rivers. “You get in this league. If you don’t love it, it will eat you up. It’s too much work, it’s too much competition. And if you don’t have high character, it means you’re not willing to listen and learn to get better.”
Rivers has finalized his coaching staff. Greg Buckner is among the additions. Pete Dominguez will coach the Bucks’ Summer League team.