Q&A: John Henson excited about additions of Ersan Ilyasova, Brook Lopez

LAS VEGAS - The Milwaukee Bucks had a mini-reunion on Monday night in Las Vegas, with a large contingent coming out for the team's summer-league game against the Denver Nuggets, a game that ended in a 90-83 loss.

Players Eric Bledsoe, Malcolm Brogdon, John Henson, Thon Maker and Tyler Zeller sat down to take in the action. Giannis Antetokounmpo, fresh from an extended trip to Greece including a 5K run over the weekend, watched his brother, Kostas, play for the Dallas Mavericks before popping into Cox Pavilion to meet up with some members of the Bucks.

Along with the players, owners Wes Edens and Marc Lasry were on hand, as were coach Mike Budenholzer, his assistant coaches, general manager Jon Horst and his front-office staff and numerous members of the team's training staff.

During the game, Henson sat down with the Journal Sentinel to discuss summer league, Milwaukee's pending free-agent acquisitions and getting familiar with the new coaching staff and their system.

What do you think about what you've seen from Sterling Brown and D.J. Wilson here at summer league?

“They’re doing what they’re supposed to do. They’re leading their team vocally out there on the court, they’re scoring, playing defense. They look really good. I’m excited about their progress.”

How does it feel to be reuniting with Ersan Ilyasova, who you played with during your first three seasons in Milwaukee? 

“I love Ersan. That’s my guy, man. He’s just another guy that’s going to help us and plays the right way. … High-level shooter, sneaky rebounder, can play the four or the five. He’s really going to help us.”

You've gone against Brook Lopez plenty of times over the years. What do you think about him being on his way to Milwaukee?

“I’m not going to lie to you, I’m glad he’s on our team. He’s one of the tougher guys I’ve had to guard because of his sheer size. As a team, I think that’s a spot that we needed to shore up. With him coming on board with what he does as a shooter, he can rebound, he can play in the low post, it’s a tremendous addition for us. I can’t wait to get the gym and work with him and learn and get some knowledge from him.”

How much did adding the three-point shot change him and add to his game?

“He’s worked on it and he’s done the right things. The last couple years he became a three-point threat and this year I think he’s going to be even better, his third year of him shooting it. That’s coach’s system. It calls for bigs to be on the perimeter sometimes, so gonna have to be able to knock that down eventually.”

How do you fit into that system?

“It’s going to be good, it’s going to be fun. Obviously, you work on it every day — shooting, things of that nature. Especially corner threes for the bigs are something he wants everybody to improve on. I’m not saying anybody’s going to become a 40% three-point shooter, but it is something that every single guy on our team that plays the center position is going to have to eventually become competent at and we’re working toward it.”