As the 2022-2023 NBA season winds to a close, the Milwaukee Bucks could not be in a better position than they are.
Milwaukee heads into the playoffs as the top overall seed in the NBA. Homecourt advantage all the way through the playoffs will be a crucial factor in bringing home another championship. There were several bright spots for every player on the Bucks this season. Some more than others, but a lot of players contributed to a league-best 58 wins and counting for the Bucks.
There were questions amongst fans at the deadline about Milwaukee’s roster construction, but those questions have since been put to rest after seeing this team take the floor post-trade deadline. With how well Milwaukee has been playing, it is fair to say this is their best roster since Coach Budenholzer took over; let’s get more into depth on that.
Is this the Milwaukee Bucks’ best roster under Coach Mike Budenholzer?
Most around the NBA consider the Bucks the “favorite” to win the NBA Finals. The reason for this is how Milwaukee has gelled together as a team down the stretch. The overall makeup of Milwaukee’s starting five is one that most coaches around the league would die to coach.
They have a two-way point guard in Jrue Holiday who can facilitate and turn up the intensity with his scoring; he will arguably be the most important piece to the Bucks this playoff. Alongside Holiday, they have a solid fit in Grayson Allen. Next, Khris Middleton’s all-around offensive impact is what has elevated this Bucks team to the next level. What was missing in last season’s Boston series has come back in a willing way since the return of Middleton.
Lastly, Milwaukee boasts the league’s best player at the four in Giannis Antetokounmpo, alongside Brook Lopez, who has had a huge resurgence in his career this season. Lopez’s monster season has put him into Defensive Player of the Year conversations, and he is a sure lock for the NBA’s all-defensive team.
After analyzing that starting lineup, it is hard to deny that the Milwaukee Bucks have the most well-rounded starting five in the league. Even after the starting five, the Bucks have a few other players who could start for a lot of teams. The depth of this team is special considering the caliber of starters the Bucks have.
Milwaukee has several high-impact and high-intensity players coming off the bench. Which is something every team that has won a championship can say. Bobby Portis Jr. continues to be a fan favorite here in Milwaukee, and he just notched his best season as a Buck. Jevon Carter’s uprising as a shooter has also given Milwaukee one more option off the bench, perhaps something they were missing last postseason. Joe Ingles, Jae Crowder, and Pat Connaughton will make up the “wings” off the bench for Milwaukee. Not only is there a ton of playoff experience in that trio, but all three of those players also look like they can contribute to a championship run.
Wesley Matthews is another name to keep an eye on, as he is always a favorite of Coach Budenholzer’s. Going back to Crowder, I personally believe that acquiring Crowder moves the needle for this team. Having a 3-and-D player with good size does wonders for lineup construction. There will be matchups where certain players aren’t as valuable as they normally are. A perfect example would be Bobby Portis in the Brooklyn series during our title run. Having one extra piece for situations like those is huge. Crowder also adds a lot of versatility on the defensive end.
Milwaukee has won 30 of their last 35 games. In other words, they are on fire, and it could not come at a better time. It is clear to see how this team changes when they get a healthy Khris Middleton. His playmaking and overall chemistry with the team are what has changed offensively for Milwaukee. After going over the Bucks’ roster, this is clearly their best in a long time. Horst has surrounded his stars with a tough and gritty roster capable of winning a lot of games.
Even when stacking this roster up next to the Bucks’ 2021-2022 championship roster, it is easy to say this season’s team is better. There are, of course, a few very good squads Milwaukee has to go through for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, but they have set themselves up for an exciting postseason filled with winning.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.