Bucks seeking a style all their own

St. Francis — It’s a fair question to ask as the Milwaukee Bucks approach their season opener Wednesday night against Charlotte.

What will the team’s style of play be this season?

No certain answers have emerged during a month of training camp and six preseason games.

Bucks coach Jason Kidd has said he wants his team to push the pace and get into its running game, a style that takes advantage of the transition skills of 21-year-olds Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker.

But the team also has to improve its half-court offense and retool a defense that allowed 103.2 points per game and 45.4% shooting last season, both marks ranking 17th in the league.

Putting it all together will require some growing pains as key newcomers, including Matthew Dellavedova and Mirza Teletovic, try to mesh with the Bucks' returning players.

Getting out on the break isn’t as easy as it sounds. First, the Bucks have to limit their own turnovers so other teams aren’t running at will.

Running also depends on rebounding the ball and pushing the ball quickly, then making good decisions with the ball. That will fall primarily on Antetokounmpo and point guards Dellavedova and Malcolm Brogdon.

Kidd said he isn’t too worried about turnovers.

“For Giannis, Delly, Malcolm, Jabari, (Michael) Beasley, guys who are going to have the ball, sometimes there’s going to be a turnover,” Kidd said.

“But can we limit them? Can we try to keep it under 15 (per game)? That would be a goal.”

When the Bucks were at their best in the preseason, they were racing down the floor with Parker dunking or Antetokounmpo slashing to the basket.

The Bucks’ defense was so good two years ago because veterans Zaza Pachulia and Jared Dudley were in the right place on the floor nearly every time.

That makes up for a lot of defensive deficiencies. This Bucks squad has plenty of athleticism that can make up for weaknesses, but developing that basketball IQ is critical to success.

“It’s being able to use our length, deflections, rebounding the ball,” Kidd said. “I thought in preseason we had some halves or quarters where we didn’t (play strong defense), but as a whole, the different combinations we had were positive ones.”

Dellavedova was signed in part because of his gritty defensive work, and newcomer Tony Snell will be counted on to hold his own against opposing shooting guards.

John Henson and Antetokounmpo are shot-blockers, providing the Bucks with a measure of rim protection.

The Bucks' half-court offense and shooting could be the team's biggest challenge, despite the additions of three-point threat Teletovic, Dellavedova and veteran Jason Terry to improve the team's perimeter game.

“It’s the balance, being able to finish in the paint and we create a lot of threes,” Kidd said. “We have to be able to make them.

“Tony (Snell), Mirza, Delly. Now, Giannis and Jabari are shooting more. You have Jason Terry and Malcolm.”

Having Antetokounmpo and Dellavedova in the game at the same time will give the Bucks two ball-handlers and an ability to attack in different ways. The 6-foot-11 Antetokounmpo took over as the team's primary ball-handler at the end of last season and showed he could direct the team.

But Dellavedova said he doesn’t think his role will change so much from what he did in Cleveland. He just won’t have LeBron James at his side, which is something he’s certain to miss.

“We’re obviously a younger team and I’ve got to have a bit more of a voice,” Dellavedova said. “I just have to pass on more things.

“As far as playing the game, you’ve just got to be yourself and give what you can give to the team.”

Snell progresses: Snell has yet to engage in a practice session with his new team, while working to recover from a left ankle injury he suffered while still with the Chicago Bulls.

But the 6-7 guard did some shooting after practice on Monday and appeared to be getting close to a return. Whether that will be in time for him to play in Wednesday’s opener remains a mystery.

“He did some different drills without the contact,” Kidd said.

The Bucks have used Rashad Vaughn and Teletovic at the shooting guard spot in starting lineups during the preseason.