Much as the average fan/player/coach/GM/man on the street may dislike the forgettable moments collectively known as the “preseason” in numerous sports, Milwaukee’s past week has shown just how critical such a period is for any pro team.
The top line benefit is a chance for coaches to experiment in a way that regular season play doesn’t generally allow for. In Milwaukee’s case the loss of Eric Bledsoe to a rib injury a few minutes into their second game threw the need to try new things into overdrive. We’ve seen George Hill, Donte DiVincenzo, and Frank Mason all get minutes running plays with a rotating cast of teammates and, while not perfect, will prepare them and the team at large for a world without Eric now and potentially in the future.