Bucks Zone

Report lists the Milwaukee Bucks as a contender that may not have enough to win it all this season

A report casts doubt on the Bucks ability to win it all this season.
Jonas Panerio|
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Milwaukee Bucks

With over two-thirds of the season finished experts have a solid idea of what teams look like. Despite the Bucks boasting a top-three record in the Eastern Conference, Bleacher Report includes the Milwaukee Bucks on its list of teams that are solid contenders that may need more to win it all in June.

Quiet at the trade deadline

The Bucks are already top-heavy with the presence of superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard and All-Stars Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. It made perfect sense to adjust at the seams, which they did in swapping out Cam Payne for veteran guard Pat Beverley. However, a growing sense of dread remains that what Milwaukee has may not be sufficient to emerge as the lone team standing at the end of the season.

“Just like there's a reason they didn't use their 30-13 start as a reason to keep first-year coach Adrian Griffin around. When you're facing championship-or-bust expectations—which you absolutely are when you unite Giannis Antetokounmpo with 33-year-old Damian Lillard—then being really good isn't good enough,” Zach Buckley wrote.

The team’s firing of Adrian Griffin and hiring of Doc Rivers in January is another example of Milwaukee’s desperation to win it all this season.

“Milwaukee's decision to quickly hire veteran skipper Doc Rivers was a clear attempt to fix this Swiss cheese defense, and Rivers has been able to somewhat patch things up on that end (10th in efficiency since his debut). However, the offense falling off a cliff (second before his debut, 22nd since) obviously wasn't part of the plan, meaning this group has, even more, to clean up than anyone imagined,” Buckley continued.

Will the Bucks figure it out in time?

Giannis has been his usual dominant self on both ends of the floor. However, Lillard has been having difficulty being efficient in Milwaukee, shooting only 42 percent from the field, including a dismal 34 percent from three. Khris Middleton—who appeared to have finally hit his stride after battling injuries the past few seasons—is back on the sidelines because of a sprained ankle. All these cast doubt on Milwaukee's contention chances.

“For a team with so much to prove after being ousted in the first round as a No. 1 seed last season—and failing to advance past the conference semis the year prior—Milwaukee is inspiring zero confidence about its chances to emerge triumphant in the championship race,” Buckley added.

Pat Connaughton says the Milwaukee Bucks aren't paying attention to their record under Doc Rivers

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO