Was Bucks first-round playoff exit bad luck or something greater?
The Milwaukee Bucks bowed out of the playoffs in the first round for a second straight year. Is it simply bad injury luck or something more?
The Milwaukee Bucks stayed in the first round and drafted AJ Johnson with the 23rd overall pick.
The Bucks last first-round pick was MarJon Beauchamp, whom they selected 24th in 2022.
Johnson is from Fresno, California. He played with the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL, an Australian professional basketball league.
Johnson is 19 years old.
Johnson measured at 6-feet-4 (without shoes) and 167 pounds at the NBA combine.
More: Who are the five best draft picks in Milwaukee Bucks history?
More: Who are the five worst draft picks in Milwaukee Bucks history?
In 26 games, Johnson averaged 2.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and shot 37% from the field.
Johnson recorded 11 points, one rebound, and one assist on 67% shooting on Jan. 4 against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
“Johnson flashed his talent at the NBA combine much like he did in short spurts this season in the NBL, showing his ability to operate at different speeds, make shots off the bounce and find teammates on the move. He has obvious things to build off as his frame and game continue to mature, especially on a patient team willing to give him the developmental reps.”
“There’s no feeling like it. It’s surreal to me. Trying to soak it in. But it’s truly a blessing. Like I said before, it’s just really truly a blessing to have players that you’re really close with that are at the level that you want to be at and are doing the things that you want to do on the court. Just to have them pick their brains and (receive) advice that they are giving me, I feel like it’s truly a blessing.”
“I feel like Milwaukee was one of my best workouts I had. Even in the interviews at the combine and stuff like that, the interviews went really well. They just seemed like they had my best interests and they really liked me. So yeah, I kind of felt a little bit like Milwaukee would be the team that would want me.”
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