3 Factors that could doom Milwaukee Bucks' postseason hopes, 2 that could uplift them

Doom - Struggles against athletic, fast-paced opponents

Anyone who has kept a close eye on the Bucks this season has noticed how the team has struggled against younger, more athletic teams. With one of the oldest rosters in the NBA, many of Milwaukee's players are not spring chickens anymore. They can undoubtedly still play, but they might not have the burst and athleticism that these other teams do.

A prime example is the Indiana Pacers, who Milwaukee is 1-4 against this season. Outside of a game where Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 64 points, Indiana, a younger squad dominated the series. Budding star Tyrese Haliburton led the charge, but athletes like Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin made their mark as well, throwing down dunks or getting out in transition.

A similar thing happened to the Bucks in their recent loss to the Sacramento Kings, where they were unable to provide De'Aaron Fox or Malik Monk any resistance. That ugly loss led Rivers to say, "I worry about it, yeah," after the matchup when asked about Milwaukee's clear struggles against these types of uber-athletic teams.

In the playoffs, a lot of the top teams have the athleticism and youth that could pose problems for the Milwaukee Bucks. In fact, with 15 games to go, it's a legitimate possibility that the Bucks could square off with the Pacers in the first round. The Miami Heat are another first-round possibility, and they pose problems in that regard as well. As do the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee's top foe in the standings.

If teams with these characteristics continue to give the Milwaukee Bucks fits nightly, it could be a significant issue that carries over into the postseason.