Behind the Bucks Pass
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Analyzing the biggest playoff X-factor for each Milwaukee Bucks starter

By Dalton Sell

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Amway Center on December 30, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Amway Center on December 30, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Brook Lopez
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 24 (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

It is feasible to say that the Milwaukee Bucks have a well-rounded starting five that can compete with the best teams in the association. Many would even argue that they have the best, but that is a discussion for another time. As the Bucks prepare to defend their title as the NBA Champs, these five players will all play a pivotal role in any success that the team endures throughout this run.

Looking closer, each member of the starting five has that X-factor or special quality of their game that could make a massive difference in the postseason. With that said, let us look at that quality for each player in Milwaukee’s star-studded starting five before their title defense begins as they host the Chicago Bulls this Sunday.

Brook Lopez’s 3-point shooting will be his biggest playoff X-factor with the Milwaukee Bucks

Since signing with the Bucks back in the summer of 2018, Brook Lopez has transformed his game to become a passable stretch-five. Lopez has not always shot his triples with efficiency, but when he is on, he tends to catch fire. If the big man can find some consistency from behind the arc in the playoffs, it would be a boost for the Bucks due to the versatility it unlocks on that side of the floor.

Given how great of a paint scorer Lopez is, his ability to space the floor and knock down 3-pointers keeps defenses on their toes. Although it comes in a rather small sample size of 13 regular season games as Lopez missed considerable time due to back surgery, his offensive versatility was on full display as the big man shot a solid 35.8 percent from three this season. If he can hover around the 35 percent mark in the postseason or even exceed it, Milwaukee’s offense will be more dangerous.

The most important factor behind Lopez’s perimeter shooting is the spacing it creates in the paint for Giannis Antetokounmpo. When Lopez is knocking down his outside shots consistently, it forces his defender to guard him more closely, which frees up space for the Greek Freak to attack the rim. This is the prominent reason why the Bucks are so reliant on the three-ball and why Lopez has fit so well with them over the years. Finding a groove from 3-point land in the playoffs is his X-factor.

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