Milwaukee Bucks: 3 storylines to follow against the Atlanta Hawks in ECF
By Dalton Sell
Head coach Mike Budenholzer will lead the Milwaukee Bucks against his former team in the Atlanta Hawks
Mike Budenholzer will find himself back in his old stomping grounds as the Bucks take on the Hawks in the ECF.
Of course, Budenholzer began his head coaching career in Atlanta, leading the charge for the Hawks from 2013-18. His biggest achievements include coaching the team to a 60-22 record in the 2014-15 campaign that saw them reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Atlanta’s stellar season earned Budenholzer his first Coach of the Year honors. The coach will now square off against his former team on the big stage in the Conference Finals.
Budenholzer is not the only Buck that will be back in familiar territory, as backup guard Jeff Teague will evoke some memories once the team touches down in Atlanta. Teague played the best years of his career with the Hawks under Budenholzer, earning his lone All-Star nomination during that illustrious 2014-15 season. Although Teague played just 21 minutes in totality versus the Nets, perhaps he could find his way back in the rotation back where his career began over a decade ago.
The Bucks certainly do not need more motivation heading into this matchup, but perhaps playing against his former squad will give Budenholzer more edge. It will be interesting to see what the former Coach of the Year has in store as he prepares for his third trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, his second with the Bucks.