Milwaukee Bucks Highlights to Get You Pumped Up for 2014-15 Season

If you were to create a list on paper of negative adjectives that could be used to describe the performance of the Milwaukee Bucks last season, you'd probably end up feeling guilty about slaughtering so many helpless trees.

The win-loss disparity certainly was atrocious, but that didn't prevent certain players from notching some notable, exciting moments.

From Giannis Antetokounmpo's freakish athleticism to glimpses of O.J. Mayo's shooting ability, the Bucks were certainly a fun team to watch at times. And with several new additions for 2014-15, they should remain entertaining.

So as we slowly make our way through the preseason, here are some moments from last season that will certainly whet your appetite.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Comes out of Nowhere to Deny the MVP

Prior to the 2013-14 season, some people—myself included—believed that Giannis Antetokounmpo wouldn't make much of an impact for at least a few seasons.

Well, the young Greek swiftly silenced the naysayers.

With his tremendous athleticism, he was able to put together quite a hefty highlight package throughout the course of his rookie year. And while he had plenty of moments offensively, it was the above block on Kevin Durant in January that really made his athleticism and length stand out.

Watching the video again, one really does have to wonder how he recovered to seemingly pick Durant's shot attempt out of thin air and send it away.

If he has more of these plays up his sleeve, Antetokounmpo may be well on his way to becoming an elite defender.

Jabari Parker Goes Coast-to-Coast

Jabari Parker didn't play in the NBA last season, but he probably could have.

While the youngster still has plenty to work on, he was impressive throughout the 2013-14 college season for the Duke Blue Devils, and early in the season he made sure to let people know it.

In just his fifth collegiate game against Eastern Carolina, Parker showed off his entire package in a thunderous way.

After holding his own on the defensive end, Parker grabbed a rebound and immediately took off down the floor, dribbling between the entire opposing team before throwing down a dunk in traffic.

It wasn't just a coast-to-coast play that signified his arrival in Durham; it was a play that showed the nation he was the real deal and will make a significant impact at the professional level for years to come.

Brandon Knight Posterizes Jonas Valanciunas

Brandon Knight did a lot of things well throughout 2013-14 and silenced some of the doubts as to whether or not he could be a franchise point guard.

Jonas Valanciunas is wishing that was all Knight did, because the 6'3" point guard made the Toronto Raptors' big man wish he had never attempted to challenge his dunk at the rim.

Knight's athleticism is no surprise to his dedicated fans, and thanks to the play above it shouldn't come as one to the general public either.

At just 22-years-old, the future is still bright for the former Kentucky Wildcat, who should be afforded the opportunity to put his talent on display once again in 2014-15.

O.J. Mayo Lights It Up Against the Sixers

Not a lot went right for O.J. Mayo last season.

He had arguably his worst season at the professional level, and his apparent weight gain even prompted someone to create a "Fat OJ Mayo" Twitter account—though it doesn't have many followers.

But that's not to say the veteran didn't have his moments. In February, he reminded us how potent he can be offensively when he drained seven threes against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Consistency has never been one of Mayo's strong suits, but when he gets hot, he's tough to stop.

As the Bucks continue to get younger and players like Antetokounmpo and Parker gain more experience, one has to wonder what Mayo's role will be moving forward. It may not be what management expected when bringing him in during the summer of 2013, but he can still be a valuable asset offensively if he can knock down open looks.

John Henson Flushes It with His Left Hand

While Larry Sanders was busy working on his disappearing act last season, John Henson was continuing to improve and emerge as a legitimate option at power forward.

The lengthy second-year man stepped up in Sanders' absence and took over the shot-blocking duties in stride.

Aside from averaging 1.7 blocks, Henson also showed improvement on the offense end. His moves in the post became more fluid, and he wasn't hesitant in the least.

Averaging 11.1 points and 7.1 rebounds on 53.8 percent shooting from the floor, Henson asserted himself as a threat on offense, even if he was somewhat inconsistent in doing so. And to boot, in March he threw down a massive off-handed dunk against the New York Knicks to show off his excellent athleticism.

If the prior two seasons are any indication, Henson will only get better.

The Greek Freak Does It on Both Ends

It shouldn't be a surprise to see another Antetokounmpo highlight on this list.

The Greek Freak was no stranger to making great defensive plays and following them by hustling back up the court. More often than not, he was rewarded for his efforts.

In today's NBA, it's rare to see plays like the one above. Players tend to get caught up in the excitement of rejecting a shot and don't always sprint back up the floor for an opportunity on the other end. Fortunately for the Bucks, Antetokounmpo is a player with a ton of energy and always gives his maximum effort.

As evidenced by the above video, sometimes simply running the court is the most valuable thing you can do for your team.

If Antetokounmpo continues to make these kinds of plays while gaining more and more experience, his future is blindingly bright.

Larry Sanders Has a Big Night in Denver

It's not often that Larry Sanders contributes a ton on the offensive end, but last February in the Mile High City, he showed that he can be an efficient big man who, when assertive, can make an impact in the scoring column.

Sanders is not exactly the most fluid player on the floor and isn't going to blow you away with sound fundamentals, but he can score his fair share of points strictly due to his prowess on the offensive glass.

If and when Sanders becomes well-rounded offensively, he could develop into a complete player and really position himself as one of the league's best big men. For now, with only a few sporadic games like the one above, his biggest value comes from his ability to defend the rim.

Kendall Marshall Puts It on the Money for Nick Young

Make no mistake about it: Brandon Knight had himself a very good 2013-14 season.

That aside, fans should be very eager for the arrival of Kendall Marshall in Milwaukee.

After being selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Marshall burst onto the scene last year during his lone season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

While Knight may provide the Bucks with a more potent scoring threat, Marshall brings his excellent vision and passing ability to the floor. And for a team that has numerous, athletic players who excel at making cuts without the basketball, having someone who can find them with pinpoint passes is invaluable.

Prior to being drafted, Tyler Ingle of NBADraft.net described Marshall as "a brilliant, 'natural' floor general," which is certainly high praise. Now he has the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest point guards in league history, Jason Kidd, certainly an exciting thought.