The Athletic NBA Daily (Sept 29, 2025)

Episode: Are the Bucks Underrated?
Guests: Host (unnamed), Eric Naim (Bucks reporter, The Athletic)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Milwaukee Bucks' outlook following a turbulent offseason and yet another disappointing playoff run. Host and Eric Naim discuss the Bucks' major roster changes, led by the loss of Damian Lillard, the arrival of Myles Turner, and what this all means for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future. The conversation centers on whether the Bucks are being underrated coming into the season, navigating expectations for this reshaped roster, and who stands to break out with newfound opportunity in Milwaukee.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap: End of 2024-25 Season & Offseason Shakeup

[02:20]

• Bucks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for a third straight year; knocked out again by the Indiana Pacers.
• "Injuries played a major role in the Bucks' exit... You don't have Damian Lillard, then you do, and then you don't again." – Eric Naim [02:34]
• Damian Lillard suffered a deep vein thrombosis, missed the end of the season, returned for the playoffs, then tore his Achilles.
• Bucks bought out Lillard, absorbing $22.5M over five years (largest wave-and-stretch in NBA history).
• This move enabled the signing of Myles Turner from Indiana, filling the void at center but meaning Brook Lopez's departure.
• Bucks added Cole Anthony in free agency; Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins had already stepped into larger roles late last season.

2. Who Steps Up? New Opportunities & Roles

[05:49]

• Kevin Porter Jr.: Named as the clear candidate to seize the biggest role with Lillard gone, despite his troubled history and hiatus from the league.
• Gary Trent Jr. & AJ Green: Expected to help fill the scoring and shooting void, with the Bucks emphasizing perimeter shooting around Giannis.
• "The goal this season is surrounding Giannis with as many shooters as possible." – Eric Naim [06:38]

3. Bobby Portis Jr.'s Value and the "Foundational Piece" Role

[08:44]

• Bobby Portis continues as the key backup big, providing bench scoring and essential flexibility.
• "He's kind of allowed them over the years to just have a level of versatility and trust that you would have in a backup big that most teams can't count on." – Eric Naim [09:47]
• Portis’s consistent presence makes his impact almost habitual, despite ongoing fan-favorite status and "Bobby" chants.

4. Spotlight on the New ‘Big Three’: Giannis, Myles Turner, Cole Anthony

[10:47]

• Giannis is the undisputed centerpiece; the offense and team identity will revolve more exclusively around him with no second superstar.
• Cole Anthony is expected to see substantially increased usage at point guard, taking advantage of teams' focus on Giannis in the pick-and-roll.
• Myles Turner is tasked with replicating and evolving Brook Lopez's rim protection and floor spacing while bringing new dynamism on both ends.
• "This whole season is kind of built around just how much you can squeeze out of Giannis." – Eric Naim [13:39]

5. Giannis’s MVP Candidacy & Narrative

[11:45 / 13:39]

• Doc Rivers is using Giannis in different spots—post, elbow, point-center, etc.—increasing his playmaking load.
• With no clear secondary star and a potentially weak supporting cast, a strong Bucks regular season would be undeniable evidence of Giannis’s singular greatness—making him a top MVP candidate.
• Reference to when Nikola Jokic carried a depleted Nuggets squad to a playoff spot and won MVP.
• "If the Bucks are the 4-seed in the East... that seems like Giannis dragging them to a playoff berth. And that feels like MVP material." – Eric Naim [13:13]

6. Mindset, Future, and Roster-building Philosophy

[19:52]

• Giannis’s commitment: His priorities are basketball and his family. Signing of his brother Thanasis is a positive signal.
• Bucks have pivoted towards building a younger supporting core, mostly 3-4 years younger than Giannis.
• "If you’re trying to figure out what the next version of the Milwaukee Bucks looks like, maybe it’s not this season, but I do think you’re starting to see it." – Eric Naim [23:24]
• GM John Horst reportedly told Naim at Summer League: "I don't think there's anything more in my body that I could have done. I did everything humanly possible to do it this year and like to put the best, best product on the floor." [24:19]

7. Biggest “Swing Factor”

[25:17]

• "I'm going to use an abbreviation: KPJ. I think Kevin Porter Jr.... I do think he is going to play a major role with the Bucks this season." – Eric Naim [25:17]
• If Porter reclaims some of his early-career production, he could change Milwaukee’s fortunes as a two-way, versatile guard.

8. Predictions & Expectations

[28:16]

• 99% of Bucks fans in The Athletic’s fan survey expect a playoff berth.
• "I do think they're gonna make the playoffs. I think it'll be in the bottom half of the eight. So let's say five, six, somewhere in there." – Eric Naim [28:44]
• Giannis is expected to be a strong MVP contender and could drag a limited supporting cast further than expected.
• The team’s success is extremely contingent on Giannis’s health.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "[The Bucks] had to try to figure out what they were going to do. Obviously, an aging all-star point guard, a great player in Damian Lillard... but he wasn't going to be back for this season." – Eric Naim [02:52]
• "I'm going to cheat and pick three guys, but Kevin Porter Jr. at point guard, stepping in that Damian Lillard role for sure. And then the two shooting guards... could benefit the most from it." – Eric Naim [07:44]
• On Bobby Portis:
  “He’s kind of allowed them over the years to just have a, a level of versatility and trust that you would have in a backup big that most teams can’t count on.” [09:47]
• On Giannis’s MVP case:
  "And that feels like MVP material. And I'm really curious to see... I think Giannis is up for that challenge. I think that's something that really is interesting to him." [13:34]
• On building the next core:
  "In one offseason, they have kind of built like the young core and maybe it that young core doesn't have the next superstar... But for now, they're complimentary players... all those guys are younger than Giannis." [22:47]
• Swing factor:
  "KPJ. I think Kevin Porter Jr.... He plays all of those things. And with Giannis kind of playing point guard, I think it works." [25:17]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:20] - Recap of Bucks’ postseason and offseason changes
• [05:49] - Who benefits with Lillard out? Porter Jr., Trent Jr., AJ Green
• [08:44] - Bobby Portis's role and foundational value
• [10:47] - Outlook for Myles Turner, Cole Anthony, and Giannis
• [13:39] - Giannis's MVP narrative & expectations
• [19:52] - Giannis's mindset, team-building, and outlook for the franchise
• [25:17] - Biggest swing factor for the Bucks' season
• [28:16] - Predictions: Win total, playoff seed, MVP race

Tone & Style

Conversational, analytical, and deeply informed, Eric Naim pairs granular basketball analysis with the bigger-picture, franchise-level questions facing the Bucks. There’s a sense of realism about Milwaukee’s margin for error, but also optimism that Giannis’s greatness and some emerging pieces could surprise the league.

Summary Takeaway

The Bucks are at a crossroads after losing Damian Lillard to injury and moving on, but have quietly refreshed around Giannis with youth and flexibility. Expectations are muted but not morose: if Giannis stays healthy and Kevin Porter Jr. or others break out, Milwaukee could outperform the consensus. Above all, this is a season of proving just how far Giannis can carry a team—perhaps enough to win a third MVP amidst adversity.