Bucks Reacts Survey Results: Fans want dawgs

Yes, with 43% of the vote, fans want a return to the days where playing against the Bucks was tough . Think 48 minutes of Eric Bledsoe hounding every dribble. Then upgrading to Jrue Holiday. Think Wes Matthews getting into your chest. Think getting by perimeter defenders only to meet Brook Lopez at the rim—and then watching as he directs the scorers to record his block. Think Giannis tracking you on the fast break, prepping to eviscerate your dreams. And, yes, think P.J. Tucker's fleet feet, quick hands, bruising physicality—and dawg mentality.

Of course, these Bucks aren't those Bucks. But they certainly have some defensive upside. On the court, this mainly comes in the form of moldable youth and athleticism—Kel'el Ware, Jericho Sims, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Ousmane Dieng, Brayden Burries, Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., and even Nate Ament—but they also have one of the league's best rim protectors in Myles Turner. Kyle Kuzma, Pete Nance, and AJ Green are all willing, albeit limited, defenders too.

More importantly, in Taylor Jenkins they've got a self-proclaimed "teacher" who prioritises effort and accountability, winning the possession battle, and working as a team, things the Bucks, much to the chagrin of fans, have struggled with in recent times. And in case you missed it, all of this is captured in the team's new mantra: Compete. Together. Get Better.