Bucks use Fan Fest as opportunity to improve

By nature, the fifth annual Milwaukee Bucks Fan Fest on Sunday morning was an event geared toward allowing the team's supporters to get up close to the players. But before any of the interactive portions took place, the team had some work to do.

The event at the BMO Harris Bradley Center opened with an abbreviated open practice followed by a 30-minute scrimmage. The sole focus of the practice portion was on defense and communication.

"Defensively we're not that far off," coach Jason Kidd said. "Just in the wrong spots at the wrong time, but that's all correctable."

Sunday's work was the team's first organized session after Friday's 114-101 preseason loss to the Chicago Bulls, the Bucks' third defeat in five days. During the preseason, Milwaukee's defense has struggled to consistently contain its opponents, including the Bulls, who made 17 of 34 three-point attempts.

Some of that has to do with new players rotating into the lineup or returning players logging minutes in unusual lineups, but some of the early shakiness can be attributed to factors within the control of individual players.

"I think continuing to get in better shape, continuing to mentally lock in," second-year guard Malcolm Brogdon said about improving as a defense. "We always start off the game well then it starts to slip. We've matured a little bit from last year and we've got to show that. We've got to show that playoff experience and be able to come out, set the tone and be able to hold it going through the game."

As a team that brings back the vast majority of its lineup from last season, the Bucks are banking on continuity to bring success. Part of that continuity involves improving defensively — the Bucks ranked 19th in the league in defensive rating in 2016-'17 — by virtue of being more familiar with the scheme and each other.

"It's the exact same from what I have seen," Khris Middleton said. "The way we finished the year it's the same way I think we're starting the year this year. We should start picking it up quicker this week to be ready for that first game of the season."

The scrimmage portion of the event started out with a steal by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who then threw a pass off the backboard to Gerald Green for a dunk, which made it seem like the affair would not be a defensive showcase. Over time, though, both teams began to settle in and the game, which Antetokounmpo's Black Team won, 49-31, achieved a reasonable level of balance.

"With a scrimmage like this sometimes it can get into like an all-star game, but for us it was about practicing and getting better," Jason Terry said. "We want to get our system healthy, not go out and make the same mistakes we've been making in these preseason games."

Matthew Dellavedova, John Henson, Mirza Teletovic and Greg Monroe were healthy but did not participate in the scrimmage. Thon Maker (right ankle) was dressed but remained out and Jabari Parker (left knee) did not participate in the scrimmage.

The Bucks now head to Madison for three days of practice at the Nicholas Johnson Pavilion at the University of Wisconsin. Their final preseason game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday against the Detroit Pistons at the Bradley Center.

Marshall cut: Point guard Kendall Marshall was not in attendance Sunday, and the Bucks sent out a release during the scrimmage that he had been released.

Marshall, who had been on a training-camp contract, averaged 1.0 points and 3.7 assists in the team's three preseason games. His strongest effort came in the opener against Dallas on Monday, when he tallied 10 assists in 16 minutes of action.

For the fans: Fans were able to get up close to their favorite players following the scrimmage. There were stations where they could shoot free throws with players, get autographs and pictures taken and challenge players to the popular video game NBA 2K18.

That level of access is a special treat for the fans, but for many of the players, it's something they enjoy as well.

"For me, it's actually interacting with the kids," Brogdon said when asked about his favorite part of Fan Fest. "I love being around kids. When I see a kid that wants to talk to me or wants my autograph, I see myself in them. I just want to be a good example and be very approachable and want them to know that I'm just a regular guy, too."