MILWAUKEE — The Bucks play their first home preseason game this Thursday night against the Lakers at Fiserv Forum.
The Bucks added veterans Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Delon Wright in the offseason. They had other options, but they chose Milwaukee.
"That says a lot to us, that they think that this is the right place," said Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers.
"That speaks volumes to me. That speaks volumes around the league. They know how to play, shooting, toughness, competitiveness. When you watch them in the gym, I love it because the competition level is high."
“It's really a credit to those players for choosing us," said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst. "They weren't short of options, and in most cases, honestly, they chose less money to come play for us for a chance to win it. For a chance to to really compete and improve their careers.”
“The opportunity to be able to come in the gym and play with Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton," said Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. "Guys like Bobby (Portis) that's been here. Brook (Lopez), that’s been in the league forever. To be able to come gel with what's already been going on here. It should be a beautiful thing. My main focus is to come here and win a championship. Go out there and contribute to winning, be an energy giver instead of taker." Trent left Sunday's preseason opener in Detroit with an elbow injury.
“I’ve prepared like a starter since I’ve been in this league, regardless of if I’m playing or not," said Bucks forward Taurean Prince. "I think that’s brought me how far I’ve gotten. The end goal is a championship, but also to just grow as a person, on and off the court. I think this group of guys that they've had, at the nucleus of over the past four or five years, can help with that.”
The Bucks are hoping that these additions will make them a better defensive team.
“That is something that I take pride in," said Bucks guard Delon Wright. "Playing defense, being able to stop my man, getting steals and just doing a little things defensively to try to help the team win.”
“I think we have the opportunity to be a great defensive team," added Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. "We have the tools. We just got to do it."
Talking about the acquisitions, Horst says simply: "we’ve improved.”