Kasparas Jakucionis got about three first-half minutes for the Bucks on Oct. 14 after two early fouls. Not smart, he admitted, but coaches like his aggression: "I'll definitely not be passive now." Bigger worry: about 41 opponent points off turnovers. "That's really bad."
Rookie Brayden Burries made his first start for the Bucks on Oct. 14: "I just wanted to go out there and make the best of that opportunity." On his preseason misses: "Most of the shots taken is good shots, just missing." He'll keep shooting when open.
Against Chicago's starters, Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins praised Kasparas Jakucionis, Brayden Burries and Kam Jones off the bench. Burries' shot didn't fall, but Jenkins backed him: "His rhythm will come... he's trying to be in attack mode."
Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s role is open: Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins wouldn't say if he'll start or come off the bench, only "I really want him to take that next step defensively." From the same session, on an unnamed player's opening-night status: "still TBD... he's on track."
Myles Turner says the Bucks' new staff is changing his role: "I am being asked to crash the glass more than I have been in the past... you'll see me playmaking a little bit more," from the top of the key. Too old for a rebuild? "I'm not that old, dude. I'm 30, bro."
Bucks coach Taylor Jenkins hopes Tyler Herro, out sick Oct. 13, is back Oct. 14. Nate Ament is moving more in the half court but still "constrained" — "positive progress," Jenkins said. AJ Green's knee, hurt against Minnesota, "feels good"; he's in knee pads and "good to go."
Kyle Kuzma and Kasparas Jakucionis, who sat out two of three preseason games, will "get opportunities" for the Bucks in game 4 on Oct. 14, coach Taylor Jenkins said. Defense must be their top focus: "the entire team defensively, we're struggling there right now."
Bulls' Leonard Miller is pushing for minutes at power forward and center. "He can do both positions... It's really hard to predict what he's going to do," coach Tiago Splitter said. His 6 threes in Denver? "Of course, that's not his forte."
Tre Jones is the Bulls' backup point guard, coach Tiago Splitter said: "his speed for our second unit is key." Jones said Splitter wants all five players chasing their own team's misses, not just a couple per possession as before: "now everybody needs to crash."
Nic Claxton is "still going to be out for a little bit," Bulls coach Tiago Splitter said. Tobe Awaka's knee inflammation is nothing serious; he's day-to-day and might play Oct. 14. Zach Collins is "not ready to play yet, but probably going to be there soon."
Norman Powell and Buddy Hield should play "normal minutes" in the Bulls' last two preseason games: "that's the goal," Tiago Splitter said. His 9- or 10-man rotation is "not nailed down." He'll decide "night to night" by who's available, likely tinkering into the season.