3 Takeaways From Milwaukee Bucks 2023 Summer League

Small sample size. Grain of salt. (Insert your own Summer League warning cliché here). The Summer League serves as a tantalizing glimpse into the potential of young players, but it’s important to approach the analysis with caution. While we shouldn’t overstate its significance in projecting performance for the upcoming NBA season, it doesn’t mean there aren’t valuable insights to be gleaned.

The Bucks started out hot, winning their first two games and showcasing their young players along the way. MarJon Beauchamp was particularly impressive during that stretch, attacking the hoop and bullying defenders in the process. Andre Jackson Jr had some random moments (as he did throughout the summer) and others chimed in.

However, their momentum fizzled out as the team struggled to maintain consistency and suffered losses in their final three games. Beauchamp hit rock bottom, failing to score in the third game and sitting out the final contest for damage control. Nobody else picked up the scoring slack and what started as a promising Summer League campaign, ended with a sour taste in everybody’s mouth.

But what did we really learn? Here are three lessons we should take away moving forward.

MarJon Beauchamp Has Work To Do

Beauchamp showed great promise in the early stages of Summer League, displaying an aggressive scoring mentality and utilizing his improved strength to attack the rim effectively. His scoring output and rebounding numbers were impressive (21.7 points and 7 rebounds per game in the first two games), showcasing his potential impact on the offensive end. However, as the Summer League progressed, Beauchamp’s performance dipped, highlighting the areas where he still needs to improve.

To solidify his spot in the Bucks’ rotation, Beauchamp must develop his outside shooting and capitalize on opportunities created by the team’s primary playmakers. Consistency in knocking down spot-up threes and capitalizing on drive-and-kick situations will be key for his offensive contribution. The final two games served as a reminder of the work that lies ahead for him to establish a consitent role with the team.

What In The World is Andre Jackson Jr?

Jackson brings a unique skill set to the Bucks, making it challenging to assess his current abilities and future potential. Unlike typical Bucks draft prospects, Jackson doesn’t rely on spot-up shooting or letting the ball come to him. Instead, he showcases his aggressiveness and basketball IQ through off-ball cutting, taking advantage of defensive lapses and capitalizing on scoring opportunities at the rim.

His athleticism allows him to soar for tip dunks and outmaneuver larger opponents for rebounds. Additionally, Jackson displays promising playmaking skills, demonstrating his ability to read the defense and create scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Defensively, his length and activity make him capable of guarding multiple positions. While he may struggle to stay with quicker ball-handlers due to lateral foot speed, with time and development, he has the potential to improve in that area. Adding strength will also enable him to hold his ground against larger opponents.

As a second-round pick, Jackson understands that he may be lower in the pecking order behind established stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton. However, his flashes of playmaking and defensive potential suggest that he could become a rotational player in the coming years.

Sweat Is The Lubricant Of Success

Milwaukee’s strength program was on full display during Summer League, as second-year pros Beauchamp and AJ Green walked through the doors looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime (okay, maybe they weren’t that big). Still, it was obvious they worked their tails off in the weight room since we last saw them.

This muscle will be helpful for both players, as they try to establish themselves as regular rotational players. Beauchamp, in particular, was bullied on the defensive end last year, but that shouldn’t be as much of an issue this time around. His bulk should help him keep his man in front of him, navigate screens and fight for boards. He has the right mental makeup to be a contributor in Adrian Griffin’s aggressive defensive scheme.