Can the Bucks win the Eastern Conference?

The Milwaukee Bucks have had their fair share of playoff disappointment over the last two seasons. They were nearly unstoppable during the regular season in both 2018 and 2019. Giannis won back to back MVP awards and they finished with the best record in the East in both of those two years. In 2019 Milwaukee finished with a record of 60-22, the franchises first 60 win season since the 1980-81 season. However, after cruising past the Pistons and Celtics in just 9 games they faltered against Kawhi and the Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals. Falling to the eventual NBA champions in six games. The following season the Bucks went 56-17 in the shortened season that eventually ended in the bubble down in Disney World. In Orlando, the Bucks failed to even make the conference finals as Giannis and squad just did not play up to expectations. They lost to the surging Miami Heat in 5 games during the 2nd round of the postseason. Perhaps these years of back to back disappointments can fuel the Bucks for a deep run this season.

The Bucks had a terrific offseason as they knew the roster as is it stood was just not good enough to win the coveted Larry O' Brian trophy. On November 24th they struck up a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, this trade sent Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee in exchange for R.J Hampton, their 24th overall draft pick. It seems as if Jrue has been underrated ever since his college days at UCLA (Maybe it's the odd spelling of his name.) Regardless of the spelling this guy is one of the best two way players in the league. In his new role Jrue has mustered up 18 points per game and six assist to go along with it. On the defensive end he is swiping almost two balls a game and holding his opponents to under 40% shooting when he is the primary defender. This was a money trade for the Bucks as his value cannot be understated. Not to mention it is just another weapon to create for more space for the Greek Freak.

In Free Agency, Milwaukee was able to re-sign six year vet out of Notre Dame, Pat Connaughton. Pat is another player who gives the Bucks some good minutes because he has ability on both ends of the court. Mostly a defensive specialist but he has the capability to shoot beyond the arc and get to the bucket when he needs to. Side note: Pat was drafted by the Orioles in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB draft. Beyond the hardwood, he also has game on the diamond where he can throw his fast ball up to 95 mph. What I would give to be that kind of an athlete. Amazing stuff. Additionally in Free Agency the Bucks snagged Bryn Forbes from San Antonio. Doesn't seem like a big deal right? Wrong. Forbes was huge in the 1st round sweep of the Miami Heat this year averaging 15 points per game and 48% shooting on threes! Great performance out of the 4 year player from Michigan State.

As mentioned, the Bucks were able to cruise in the first round of the playoffs. Getting their revenge on the Heat in a four game sweep must have been a terrific feeling for Giannis and co. Miami seemed to have a bit of a hangover from the Bubble where they performed way above expectation. They simply looked flat and the Bucks exposed them. I mentioned the new players acquired this year but we can't forget about the returning players from seasons past. Khris Middleton, whom has had his playoff struggles, has played efficiently. Against Miami he averaged almost 22 points per game on 49% shooting and 40% from three. Khris is essential if they want to make a deep playoff run. The big fella, Brook Lopez, also deserves some praise. This guy has changed his game over the years, with stops in New Jersey/Brooklyn (Nets were in NJ at the start of this career), LA with the Lakers, and now Milwaukee for the last 3 seasons plus. He has gone from a mainly down low to mid range guy to being somewhat of a sharp shooter. He's able to effectively play with Giannis because of this. He can spread the floor while Giannis can remain down low.

Even getting to the Conference finals is going to be a challenge this go around. Assuming they will have to go through either Brooklyn or the Sixers at some point makes this road the toughest they have faced given that they are the three seed this season as opposed to the one over the previous two seasons. With a revamped roster this year the Bucks seem to be clicking on all cylinders. The loss of Dante Divencenzo for the rest of the postseason certainly hurts. However, I believe the players mentioned before (Lopez, Holiday, Middleton, Connaughton,) can step up their game. Not to mention that Giannis wasn't mentioned much in this article....he's still pretty good I would say. Will the Bucks win the Eastern Conference? Im closing out with a hot take and saying yes.