The Milwaukee Bucks are young talented and athletic team that features an especially the talented backcourt of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. The team could reach the playoffs if everything goes right, but the Eastern Conference is crowded with teams that have superstars. Milwaukee needs either Ellis or Jennings to take the next step in their progression.
The biggest addition to the team is Samuel Dalembert from Houston. He is solid shot blocker and should help to improve the Bucks 22nd ranked defense from a season ago. Dalembert is inconsistent and will have to improve to the team's playoff chances.
Last season power forward Ersan Ilyasova improved greatly and could be headed towards being a double-double guy this season. Ilyasova signed a new five-year, $40 million contract in the offseason and will have to play up to his pay scale.
Ellis had an off year last season, but he will have a full-offseason with the team that should lead him to a return to form and more scoring. Having time together with Jennings should lead to better team chemistry. Mike Dunleavy and Drew Gooden should provide some proven talent from the bench.
According to NBA 2K13, The Bucks will just miss the playoffs this season. Although the team did not accomplish its goal as a unit, Jennings and Ellis both make the All-Star game as backups. Jennings has an incredible March where he is named the eastern conferences player of the month. The Bucks are also the 10th highest scoring team in the NBA during the 2012-13 season. But the Bucks continue to be one of the NBA's worst defensive teams and rank 27th in the league.
Here is how the game simulates the Bucks' season:
Regular Season Record: 40-42 ninth in the Eastern Conference
Top scorers: PF Ersan Ilyasova 13.9 PPG, PG Brandon Jennings 22.9 PPG, SG Monta Ellis 23.6 PPG
Leading rebounders: PF Drew Gooden 6.9 RPG, C Samuel Dalembert 7.5 RPG, PF Ersan Ilyasova 8.9 RPG
Assist Leader: PG Beno Udrih 4.6 APG, SG Monta Ellis 5.9 APG, PG Brandon Jennings 8.8 APG
Playoff Opponents
Round 1: Did not qualify
Round 2: Did not qualify
Conference Finals: Did not qualify
NBA Finals: Did not qualify
Check out our other NBA 2K13 team previews:
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Washington Wizards
Denver Nuggets
Phoenix Suns
Houston Rockets
Orlando Magic
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Hornets
Dallas Mavericks
Toronto Raptors