Why the Milwaukee Bucks is the dark horse in the East

This early in the new NBA season, we’ve already been witness to the rise of several Eastern Conference teams.  While the success of the arguably top-seeded Celtics does not come as a surprise, as well as the near-flawless start of the new-look, Kawhi-led Raptors, many NBA analysts haven’t really paid much attention to the Milwaukee Bucks.

It makes sense, too; whereas significant roster changes have taken place in Toronto, Boston, and even Philadelphia (which, as of this writing, has just acquired Jimmy Butler), the Bucks team—even with the loss of the waived Jason Terry and the signing of Ersan Ilyasova and hot-shooting rookie Donte DiVincenzo—is largely the same.  Even the Bucks’ superstar, the “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo is not posting as much numbers as he did last season.  So, what goes? 

The answer is continuity.  The players are now very familiar with one another and trust everyone on the floor, both on offense and defense.  There’s also the commitment to not stay reliant on Antetokounmpo.  This year the Bucks play like a well-oiled machine, with point guards Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon facilitating well and finding guys for open shots.  The team has also been benefiting much from the improved play and hustle of its lengthy forwards Khris Middleton, and John Henson. 

Antetokounmpo is, of course, still the heart of the Bucks’ play.  But since more guys are now comfortable being spot-up outside shooters, it has opened the floor more for Giannis’ highlight dunks and layups.  That this Milwaukee team will reach the playoffs is almost a given, even this early in the regular season.  And the team has already displayed that it’s the true dark horse of the East with a recent, 134-111 drubbing of the defending champs Golden State Warriors in the latter’s own home court 

Hey, there. James DeVellis here, a sports business student, voracious reader, and newbie writer from Arizona. More on my hobbies and interests here..