In the latest edition of our staff roundtable series, we grade the Milwaukee Bucks regular season, discuss playoff rotations and make predictions for the first-round series with the Toronto Raptors.
Two months ago, the Bucks season was all but over. They were 22-30, sat 11th in the Eastern Conference and had lost 12 of their last 14 games. Jason Kidd’s rotations were questionable, the defensive scheme was in complete disarray and Jabari Parker’s torn ACL cast a depressing shadow over the franchise’s future.
Over the next 30 games, the Bucks looked like a completely different team. It was a perfect storm. Khris Middleton returned from injury without missing a beat, effort returned on defense and everything began to break their way.
Somewhat emulating the success of the 2009-10 ‘Fear The Deer’ team, the Bucks finished 42-40, a nine-win improvement on last season, and good for the 6th Seed, booking a first-round playoff matchup with the Toronto Raptors (Game 1 – 4.30PM CT).
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Can Giannis and the Bucks lead the franchise to its first playoff series victory in over 15 years?
Well to answer this and more, I was joined by site expert Adam McGee, regular staff writers Adam Coffman, Lukas Harkins, Travis Schlepp and Jordan Treske and also by new Behind The Buck Pass contributors Joe Osterndorf, Jay Spanbauer and Leander Wallace.
Specifically, we graded the Bucks rollercoaster ride of a regular season, before analysing the biggest factors in the team’s unlikely surge into the playoffs.
The focus then shifted towards the series against the Raptors, where we speculated how what the Bucks need to do to get past the 3rd seed and into the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
We then addressed the Bucks rotation, suggesting how minutes could be allocated given individual player matchups and how to best utilize Giannis’ skillset over the next four-to-seven games.
Of course, we finished with our predictions for the series. Bucks in six?
Read on to hear all of our answers!