The 2016-17 Bucks season begins Wednesday night against the Charlotte Hornets at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Milwaukee has a pair of aspiring All-Stars looking to take the next steps forward (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker), a few familiar faces that need to contribute more (John Henson, Greg Monroe, Steve Novak, Miles Plumlee, Rashad Vaughn), some new names added for their veteran experience and/or needed three-point shooting (Michael Beasley, Matthew Dellavedova, Tony Snell, Mirza Teletovic, Jason Terry), a couple of intriguing rookies (Malcolm Brogdon, Thon Maker) and a coach tasked with simultaneously developing young talent and winning games (Jason Kidd).

Oh, also last year’s leading scorer and one of the team’s most important players will be out most of the season with an injury (Khris Middleton).

This team exceeded expectations two years ago (41 wins) and then underperformed last season (33). It’s an unconventional squad, at least in terms of current NBA trends, with gimmicky elements like a 6-foot-11 point-forward creature, a forward who’s an offensive savant but defensively inept, spotty outside shooting, three centers earning a combined $40 million that can each do a couple things but not everything and a defense that went from one of the league’s best to one of its worst in a year.

But, new season, new optimism, new arena being built and new expectations.

Here’s a rundown of Milwaukee’s roster with some interesting information about each player, a prediction and a way to interact with them throughout the season (this group is not social-media shy).

Jason Kidd, head coach

Need to know: Kidd, who went 74-90 in his first two seasons with the Bucks, was signed to a three-year contract extension in June.
Fun fact: Milwaukee has had just four coaches in franchise history finish their tenures with a winning record.
Fun fiction: Does not own a single tie.
Prediction: The Bucks will play faster (their 94.2 pace in 2015-16 ranked 23rd of 30 teams) and shoot more threes (their 15.6 attempts per game ranked last) this season.
Twitter: @RealJasonKidd
Facebook: Jason Kidd

Giannis Antetokounmpo, guard/forward

Need to know: After he was moved to point guard last February, the 6-foot-11 "Greek Freak" averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.9 blocks and posted five triple-doubles.
Fun fact: Antetokounmpo has, objectively, a super-athletic family. His father, Charles, is a former Nigerian soccer player; his mother, Veronica, was a high-jumper; his oldest brother, Francis, played professional soccer in Nigeria; his older brother, Thanasis, was drafted by the New York Knicks and now plays professionally in Greece; his younger brother, Kostas, plays college basketball at Dayton; his youngest brother, Alexandros, is just beginning high school but, surprise, plays basketball, too.
Fun fiction: Owns and operates a Greek restaurant called the Gyro Step, which also serves smoothies.
Prediction: Giannis will make his first All-Star team this season and be named third-team All-NBA.
Twitter: @Giannis_An34
Instagram: @giannis_an34
Facebook: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Michael Beasley, forward

Need to know: Since being drafted second overall in 2008, the 6-10 Beasley has had nine basketball stints for seven different teams, including two in China.
Fun fact: He was named MVP of the Chinese Basketball Association All-Star Game for the second straight year in 2016 after recording 63 points, 19 rebounds and 13 assists for the South Team.
Fun fiction: Is the NBA’s all-time career leader in contested, one-legged, step-back field-goal attempts.
Prediction: Will pleasantly surprise everyone by averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 46 percent and receiving votes for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.

Malcolm Brogdon, guard

Need to know: In the second round (No. 36 overall), the Bucks got a guy who was the two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year and shot 41.1 percent on threes last season – when he was also a first-team All-American. So, pretty much, they got exactly the player they need for their backcourt.
Fun fact: Brogdon, 23, who stayed at Virginia for five years because of a medical redshirt season, earned not only his bachelor’s degree in history, but also a master’s degree in public policy. Smart!
Fun fiction: Has read more than 10,000 books signing joining the Bucks.
Prediction: He’ll be the primary backup at both guard spots and average at least 26 minutes per game, thanks to his defense and composure on the ball.
Instagram: @malcolmbrogdon92

Matthew Dellavedova, guard

Need to know: After averaging career highs in points (7.5), assists (4.4), rebounds (2.1), minutes (24.6) and three-point shooting (41 percent) last season and winning a championship in Cleveland, he signed a four-year, $38 million contract with Milwaukee.
Fun fact: In September, Dellavedova and his Saint Mary’s college sweetheart, Anna Schroeder, got engaged.
Fun fiction: His nickname, Delly, is an Aboriginal Australian word meaning "grit."
Prediction: A seemingly perfect fit for the Bucks’ atypical backcourt – he’ll play off the ball on offense and guard the opposing point guard on defense – Delly will become the team’s third-most important player.
Twitter: @matthewdelly
Instagram: @matthew_dellavedova
Facebook: Matthew Dellavedova

John Henson, forward

Need to know: With 109 blocks in 16.8 minutes per game last year, Henson was second in the league in blocks per 48 minutes (5.45).
Fun fact: His biggest superstition is to "knock on wood."
Fun fiction: Hates to fish. Just hates it.
Prediction: As part of a three-center matchup rotation, he will average at least 20 minutes and 10 points per game for the first time since 2013-14.
Twitter: @Johnhenson31
Instagram: @johnhenson31
Facebook: John Henson

Thon Maker, forward/center

Need to know: He has lived in five countries on three different continents, from Africa to Australia to North America. Also, his listed age is 19.
Fun fact: Maker, at 7-1, recorded the highest no-step vertical jump (32 inches) of any player taller than 6-11 in NBA Draft Combine history.
Fun fiction: Is actually 46 years old.
Prediction: He’ll play the second-fewest minutes per game this season, ahead of only Novak, due to his rawness and crowded position.
Twitter: @ThonMaker14
Instagram: @ThonMaker
Facebook: Thon Maker

Khris Middleton, guard

Need to know: He led the Bucks in minutes (36.1), points (18.2), field-goal attempts (14.5), three-point attempts (4.6) and steals (1.7) last season.
Fun fact: Has scored more points (3,644) than any other player taken in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft, which included Draymond Green (2,808), Jae Crowder (2,414) and Will Barton (2,036).
Fun fiction: Remains best friends with former teammate Ersan Ilyasova.
Prediction: Middleton, who tore his hamstring in September and was expected to miss six months after surgery, will play fewer than 10 games this season because soft-tissue hamstrings are difficult to heal and easy to reinjure.
Twitter: @Khris22m 
Instagram: k_mid22 
Facebook: Khris Middleton

Greg Monroe, center

Need to know: From his post-Katrina high school days in New Orleans through his NBA career with Detroit and Milwaukee, Monroe has been one of the most active, involved players in community and charity work, especially through his foundation.
Fun fact: Despite much fan and media consternation about Moose being a bad fit on the Bucks, he led the team in player efficiency rating (21.8), three points higher than second-place Giannis.
Fun fiction: Dunked once as a sophomore in high school, didn’t care for it and has never dunked since.
Prediction: Will be traded to a contender during the season for (what will be a late) first-round draft pick.
Twitter: @M10OSE
Instagram: @Moosemonroe15

Steve Novak, forward

Need to know: A native of Brown Deer and graduate of Marquette University, the 33-year-old forward re-signed with his hometown Bucks on a veteran’s minimum contract for $980,431.
Fun fact: Novak led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage (.472) in 2011-12 while with the Knicks.
Fun fiction: Likes to tousle Travis Diener’s hair.
Prediction: He'll make less than 20 appearances this season but will have one game where he hits four three-pointers in the Bradley Center and everyone, understandably, goes nuts.
Twitter: @stevenovak16
Instagram: @steve.novak

Jabari Parker, forward

Need to know: After the All-Star break last season, he averaged 18.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals.
Fun fact: He is friends with a river turtle named Onassis at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Fun fiction: Parker increased his vertical leap a full foot in two years and prefers the nickname "Jambari Dunker."
Prediction: Parker will be among the league leaders in dunks and crack 20 points per game as the number one offensive option, but his three-point shooting, rebounding and defense will still leave plenty of room for improvement.
Twitter: @JabariParker 
Instagram: Jabari Parker 
Facebook: Jabari Parker

Miles Plumlee, center

Need to know: The Bucks were a more cohesive team and better defensively last year when Plumlee started at center, because he’s athletic, moves well, provides lots of energy and doesn’t need the ball on offense. He signed a four-year, $50 million contract in the offseason and will likely begin the season as the starter.
Fun fact: After sporting a high-fade combover hairstyle and thick beard last year, he cut his hair and trimmed the beard. He could be even more aerodynamic.
Fun fiction: There are seven Plumlees still at Duke.
Prediction: The Plumlord will put up modest stats – around seven points and seven rebounds per game – but will see his minutes increase over the final few months of the season.
Twitter: @milesplumlee13
Instagram: @MC_PlumLord

Tony Snell, guard

Need to know: Acquired via trade from the Bulls in exchange for Michael Carter-Williams, Snell is an above-average three-point shooter (35.1 percent for his career) and decent defender who lost confidence and playing time in Chicago and needs to prove he can be a contributor for Milwaukee.
Fun fact: Was a high school teammate of San Antonio Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard.
Fun fiction: Has been considered medically mute for the last three years.
Prediction: Nursing an ankle sprain right now, Snell wins the support of Kidd, becomes a starting guard for the Bucks and earns a second NBA contract.
Twitter: @TonySnell20
Instagram: @t.snell_
Facebook: Tony Snell

Mirza Teletovic, forward

Need to know: Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War of the 1990s, he lived through the an 18-month siege on his hometown of Mostar.
Fun fact: His favorite movies are the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
Fun fiction: He hates the "Harry Potter" movies.
Prediction: Teletovic, who hit a career-high 39.3 percent of his three-pointers last year with Phoenix, will come off the bench to lead the Bucks in three-point shooting.
Twitter: @Teletovic33
Instagram: @mirzateletovic12
Facebook: Mirza Teletovic

Jason Terry

Need to know: The 17-year NBA veteran is currently first among active players, and third all-time, in career 3-pointers made (2,169).
Fun fact: At Bucks Media Day before the season, Terry compared Antetokounmpo to Bulls legend Scottie Pippen and a less-physically built LeBron James.
Fun fiction: He also called Matthew Dellavedova an Australian John Stockton and assistant coach Sean Sweeney a future Phil Jackson.
Prediction: Terry, a well-liked and extroverted veteran, will continue to be the best quote in the Bucks’ locker room, and will hit a few threes, as well.
Twitter: @jasonterry31
Instagram: @jasonterry31_
Facebook: Jason Terry

Rashad Vaughn

Need to know: Vaughn, who had a chance to win a starting spot despite a difficult rookie year (team-low 4.3 PER), struggled mightily in the preseason, averaging just 4.5 points on 15.4 percent shooting (11.1 percent on threes) in 23 minutes per game. It wasn’t what the Bucks were hoping to see.
Fun fact: He's said his favorite restaurant in Milwaukee was Blue’s Egg.
Fun fiction: Enjoys asking Maker what Australia was like, especially the kangaroos.
Prediction: Vaughn hasn’t yet shown any difference-making NBA skill, but he’s still just 20 years old and a close friend of Antetokounmpo; hopefully he can get his three-point shooting to at least 33 percent this season.
Twitter: @ShowtimeMr1
Instagram: @rashad_vaughn

Season prediction

Sans Middleton for much, if not all, of the season, the Bucks will struggle to score consistently, even with seemingly better balance now between slashing and shooting. And it’s hard to see the defense improving from last year without arguably the team’s best defender. Still, expect Antetokounmpo and Parker to take important leaps, more three-pointers to go up (and fall through!) and, hopefully, fast-paced and exciting play. The prediction here is Milwaukee will finish with a 37-45 record and miss the playoffs.