The Milwaukee Bucks made a habit of winning games without key players in Jason Kidd's first season in Wisconsin, and the start of the new season is unfortunately feeling rather familiar.
As expected, neither Giannis Antetokounmpo (league suspension) nor Jabari Parker (knee) will suit up in the Bucks' season opener against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, a rather disappointing starting point for a team hoping for big things from its two 20-year-old cornerstones.
Still, the BMO Harris Bradley Center figures to be rocking on Wednesday night, and with good reason. Coming off a surprise 41-win season, the Bucks had an action-packed summer: Monroe was the highest-profile free agent signing in franchise history, approval of a new arena financing deal sealed the franchise's future in Milwaukee, and those new jerseys look fantastic.