While it was far from a smooth sail this 2020-21 season, the Milwaukee Bucks are officially headed to the NBA Playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.
It seems in all likelihood that they will do so as the Eastern Conference’s third seed, which is a marginal step backward after owning the top spot in consecutive years. Nevertheless, this team undoubtedly feels good with where they are at as they prepare to redeem themselves after two straight playoff collapses.
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Milwaukee’s title hopes hinge the most on whether their newly revamped roster is good enough to compete with the best in the business. The organization has spent the past several months relentlessly reshaping this roster from top to bottom to craft a team that is built to win a championship now.
While fans know what they must get from their stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday, this roster is filled with other highly talented pieces.
With that being said, here are three players that could potentially be secret weapons for the Bucks to utilize in the postseason.
Bryn Forbes can be a secret weapon for the Milwaukee Bucks in playoffs
Shooting guard Bryn Forbes has done nothing but contribute since signing with the Bucks as a free agent last offseason.
In 68 games with the team this season, Forbes quickly carved out a role for himself by averaging 10 points while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 45 percent from deep. The latter percentage is a career-high for the fifth-year guard as he has been a seamless fit in a system that encourages 3-point shooting to the highest degree.
This red-hot shooting will be pivotal for the Bucks in the postseason, as evidenced by their last two series that resulted in losses. In the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals against the Toronto Raptors, the Bucks lacked a pulse from behind the arc as they shot just 31 percent across six games. This dreadful cold spell from distance doomed Milwaukee the following season as they connected on just 32.7 percent of their 3-pointers in their five-game second round matchup with the Miami Heat.
The Bucks desperately lacked outside shooters in both of those series and now they have one of the best in the business in Forbes. While the guard does not wipe away Milwaukee’s shooting concerns entirely, having him at their disposal certainly provides some assurance. Although his defense in a playoff setting might cause some issues, that floor spacing he provides will earn Forbes a hefty share of minutes in the playoff rotation.
If Forbes can take advantage of the opportunity and translate this red-hot shooting over into the postseason, he will undoubtedly be a secret weapon for them.
Bobby Portis can be a secret weapon for the Milwaukee Bucks in playoffs
Another under-the-radar free agent signing from last offseason, Bobby Portis has been the biggest contributor off the Bucks’ bench this year. While that might rule him out of being a potential secret weapon for the Bucks, his presence does bring forth some much-needed versatility when making lineup adjustments.
Portis has done a fantastic job providing a spark offensively by averaging 11.4 points while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor and 46.7 percent from 3-point range. Both of those percentages are career bests for the big man as he continues enjoying the most efficient scoring season of his career. Much like Forbes, the 3-point shooting that Portis has displayed this season has provided an essential boost, which will hopefully carry over into the postseason.
The big man’s ability to conjure up offense off the bench will have him playing a key part in Milwaukee’s playoff rotation. Portis can step into the shoes of both Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez in particular situations that call for a lineup change. That outside shooting he brings to the table makes the forward a smooth fit along with either member of Milwaukee’s starting frontcourt and gives Budenholzer a handful of lineup options to experiment with.
Whether it be Nikola Mirotic, Ersan Ilyasova, or Robin Lopez, the Bucks have struggled to get meaningful production from their backup frontcourt players in the past two postseasons. If Portis can break the spell and keep it consistent with his offensive attack, he will be a significant piece for them in the playoffs. His defense is nothing to rave about, but as a player that can score in double figures and potentially snag double-digit rebounds every night, he could be a massive factor in their success.
P.J. Tucker can be a secret weapon for the Milwaukee Bucks in playoffs
Another player that falls into the mix of backup frontcourt talent, the Bucks will surely utilize veteran forward P.J. Tucker once the playoffs begin.
While Milwaukee will rely on Portis for the offensive contributions, they are certainly banking on Tucker to showcase the defensive brilliance that has helped him make a career. With the Eastern Conference loaded with some of the best scorers to ever pick up a basketball, a player like Tucker will help this team tighten up on defense without question.
Budenholzer can use Tucker to form an endless combination of potential lineups, but one of the most compelling will be the team’s small-ball approach. If a particular matchup calls for Antetokounmpo to slide to the center position, Tucker can assume responsibility at the four and hold his own defensively. That is a luxury the team has not had before and they could use it to their advantage this time around.
The 36-year-old will make his money on the defensive side of the ball without question, but he can also assist Milwaukee with their 3-point shooting problem. Tucker has been pegged as one of the best corner shooters from behind the arc in NBA history, and he has been productive from deep by shooting 13-of-29 (44.8 percent) since being acquired by the Bucks.
Tucker’s defensive versatility alongside Antetokounmpo, Holiday and the rest of the Bucks will be something to behold on the big stage. While it looks promising on paper, only time will tell if it lives up to the billing.