NFC North champs
The Packers clinch the division after a win over the Lions and a Vikings loss.
D.J. Wilson checked into the Milwaukee Bucks' first preseason game Saturday night at Fiserv Forum with a shade under four minutes to go in first half, joining Donte DiVincenzo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pat Connaughton and Bryn Forbes on the court.
Khris Middleton would replace Connaughton a minute later, giving Wilson some time with starters.
It was no small thing.
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer casually mentioned at the end of last week that Wilson was having an excellent camp, and that final stretch of the first half was a bit of a reward for the Bucks’ first-round pick in 2017.
In that stretch with Wilson the court Saturday night against the Dallas Mavericks, the Bucks extended a one-point lead to as many as nine. Wilson flashed, first with a drive into the paint and a sharp pass whipped to an open DiVincenzo in the corner for a three-pointer.
“It was a pretty high level pass to Donte at the end of the second quarter, end of the first half,” Budenholzer said postgame.
Wilson also hustled behind the play at the buzzer and slammed home a missed layup by Antetokounmpo, but it came a fraction too late. Then the second half the 24-year-old big man played just over eight more minutes and finished with 14 points on 6 of 9 shooting in the 112-102 loss. Wilson also had a blocked shot.
“I’m sure everybody will maybe go to what he’s doing offensively first but I see somebody that’s making some plays at the rim, who’s contesting, running the post, he’s bringing great activity defensively,” Budenholzer said. “He’s done it in camp. Then obviously it stands out his pick-and-pop game, his ability to make threes and he can roll and catch it in the half roll and finish and pass.
“He’s a really smart basketball player. Defensively we like what he’s doing on that end of the court, too.”
Perhaps most notably, Wilson went 2 for 4 from the three-point line.
“That’s huge,” Wilson said about being able to catch-and-shoot without hesitation. “I think I can just play off of that to be honest with you. I know I’m a good enough shooter. Everybody has the belief in me to knock down shots. I believe every shot I take has the ability to go down. So when I do have an open look I’m going to make the most of it and I’m going to take it.”
The Bucks host the Mavericks again Monday night in the second of three preseason games.
The No. 17 overall pick out of Michigan, Wilson hasn’t found a consistent role for a Bucks team that is fashioned as a championship contender. He averaged 18.4 minutes per game in 48 appearances in 2018-’19, but his court time was nearly halved last season.
Now, entering the final year of his rookie deal and with a chance to work in as the fourth big man behind Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis and Antetokounmpo, Wilson recognizes there is an opportunity to earn significant minutes.
“I think I’ve been getting ready for it from the jump,” Wilson said. “Preparation for me is everything. As long as I know I’ve put in the work and I do what I need to do behind closed doors, when the opportunity is given I know I’ll make the most of it. I’m just controlling what I can and let the rest fall where they fall.”
And on Saturday against Dallas the ball was falling through the net, giving Wilson production to go with effort.
On a team coming off a historic season defensively and with individuals around him who have earned some of the game’s highest honors, Wilson said he put in the work this offseason to become more efficient from beyond the three-point line and defend players all over the court. That has translated to practice.
Now, the question is if his three years in the league and a strong start to this camp translate to something more?
“That’s camp is for, that’s what the preseason is for, to kind of just see who fits, who’s playing well,” Budenholzer said. “Guys have to kind of earn their spots, earn their minutes. Certainly (he’s) somebody that’s familiar with us. I think that helps, that he’s got a comfort level with terminology. But certainly he’s played well.”