The Milwaukee Bucks secured the best record during the NBA’s 2018-19 season. Yet, Fiserv Forum may be the Bucks’ greatest ally in their playoff push.
The Milwaukee Bucks have 60 wins, the leading MVP candidate, a stellar supporting cast, a strong coaching staff, and the best home court advantage in all of basketball. The state of the art Fiserv Forum, where the Bucks play, has the loudest and proudest fans, while also boasting an electric atmosphere on a nightly basis.
With an outstanding home record in the regular season, and a 2-0 start to their first round series against the Detroit Pistons, it seems Fiserv Forum could be the Bucks’ greatest ally in the playoffs.
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The Bucks simply took care of their business all season long. With a record of 60-22, the Bucks secured the best record in all of basketball. The keys to the Bucks’ success can be attributed to Giannis Antetokounmpo, or even head coach, and soon to be Coach of the Year, Mike Budenholzer. However, Fiserv Forum may be the key to unlocking playoff success at the next level.
While at home, the Bucks had a record of 33-8 in their first season in their new arena. When they were away, the Bucks were just 27-14.
Obviously, most NBA teams perform better at home, but the Bucks’ situation is a bit different. The Golden State Warriors, whom everyone and their mother’s picked as the favorite to acquire the league’s best record, were only 30-11 at home. A bit closer to Milwaukee is Toronto, who had a record of 32-9 at home. The Bucks’ had a better home record than both of their primary competitors, which is a testament to the culture the Fiserv Fortress has created. So, what makes the Milwaukee Bucks’ home court advantage so different?
To kick things off, let’s examine the fans. Considering how the franchise has been starved of success for so long, the Bucks’ have one of the loudest and most engaged fanbases in the entire league this season.
Almost every game this season has had a playoff-like atmosphere. There are constant chants from the Clutch Crew; a group of 600 rotating fans who occupy 100 seats on the lower level behind the hoop of each and every home game. Whether you’re attending in-person, or watching on television, one thing is for certain; the Clutch Crew always make their voices heard. Loud fans can get into the heads of opposing players, which is another advantage to having rowdy crowds.
Of course, this encourages even the most casual of fans to get in on the fun. Fans take note, and participate in the chants that the Clutch Crew cry out. Furthermore, the Milwaukee Bucks Dancers keep fans excited by tossing out t-shirts after every three-point make. The Bucks also utilize the largest t-shirt gun in the entire world, which can target even the furthest fan with a likely oversized piece of Bucks’ apparel.
The Hoop Troop, who greet fans at the door and interact with them in the stands, are another vital part of the process in making Bucks’ fans excited and ready to cheer on the best team in basketball. They keep fans engaged from the minute they enter the building, to the moment they exit. The Bucks’ fan experience is truly immersive.
It does not hurt that the fans have something worth rooting for, either. The Bucks are undeniably the best team in the NBA. Boasting an undefeated playoff record so far — something the Warriors cannot even claim at this point — is a testament to how great the Bucks truly are. The Bucks have the MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Coach of the Year in Mike Budenholzer, the Executive of the Year in Jon Horst, and an additional All-Star in Khris Middleton. What’s not to love?
When it’s all said and done, this season will go down as one of the best in Milwaukee Bucks’ history. A large factor in that has been the stellar impact the crowds of Milwaukee have provided the Bucks since moving into their new home.
Fiserv Forum is a fortress that is backed by the Clutch Crew, the Hoop Troop, the Milwaukee Bucks Dancers, and so many other wonderful groups of people who make the fan experience so special. Because of the fans, the Bucks are encouraged to dominate on a nightly basis.
Surely, that will continue through the duration of the playoffs, and it’s guaranteed to encourage more and more people from around Milwaukee to get down to Fiserv Forum to roar on their team.