Milwaukee Bucks: 4 lessons learned in face of disappointing playoff exit

4 lessons learned in face of Milwaukee Bucks’ humiliating playoff exit – Bud learns no lessons

Without question, the biggest impediment in the Bucks’ ongoing chase for a championship may not come from within their roster composition. It may revolve around the head coach that built up the very foundation that helped open up this title window for the Bucks.

Over his seven years as an NBA head coach, Mike Budenholzer has certainly established himself as one of the league’s best culture setters. The change from Jason Kidd to Budenholzer only speaks for itself in just how Budenholzer is capable of changing the reality of a Bucks team that was starved for contention and competency before his arrival.

Yet when it comes to his track record in the playoffs, Budenholzer has validated any and all of the skepticism that has and continues to come his way, especially in the face of yet another playoff flameout on his resume.

Whether it’s being too slow to adjust, organizing or even shortening his rotation before its too late or utilizing his best players in more direct and structured ways offensively, Budenholzer’s established playoff foibles are a weight on the Bucks’ back.

Budenholzer’s belief in the team’s system, character and overall identity certainly veers on stubbornness to some. But can that also be interpreted by a lack of recognition when things break down in dramatic fashion as they have for the Bucks in each of the last two playoff runs?

Either way, Budenholzer’s inability to provide a counter to when the Bucks’ Plan A is figured out has and continues to be too significant of an issue to ignore anymore. And it’s certainly played a factor in why some portions of the Bucks’ fanbase have cooled on Budenholzer and even question his value to the Bucks at this moment.

This isn’t like his time with the Atlanta Hawks where they were greater than the sum of their parts. Top-level talent isn’t an issue for the Bucks with the league’s soon-to-be two-time MVP, a two-time All-Star in Khris Middleton, and one of the high-end examples of a two-way stretch 5 in Brook Lopez.

At some point, Budenholzer has to trust and run with the players that put the Bucks in the position to contend for an NBA championship in the first place. If not, it could have a disastrous effect on the team’s long-term future and Budenholzer’s time in Milwaukee.