Gauging confidence meter on Milwaukee Bucks personnel before NBA Playoffs
The Milwaukee Bucks have had a rollercoaster of a regular season, and things aren't done just yet, with the playoffs set to begin on April 20.
With what seemed to be a strong grip on the two seed in the Eastern Conference, a final day defeat to the Orlando Magic and win for the New York Knicks meant the Bucks dropped to third place and will face the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, with the first game expected to take place on Sunday.
Indiana took the regular season series 4-1, with a rivalry seeming to spark between the teams following some physical matchups, Tyrese Haliburton doing the 'Dame Time' celebration in the In-Season Tournament and then, of course, the game ball debacle following Giannis Antetokounmpo's franchise record 64-point game.
It was revealed by NBA insider Shams Charania and the Athletic Eric Nehm (subscription required) that Rivers held a private film session with the top nine veteran players on the team and had an open conversation on how they felt the team needed to play to meet the ultimate goal.
Gauging confidence meter on Milwaukee Bucks personnel before NBA Playoffs
Here I will analyze the confidence meter of all the Bucks players as we head into the playoffs. It will be on a scale of 1-10 with one being least confident and 10 being supremely confident in that player. Even those out of the rotation at the moment I will rate, as we have seen Rivers change lineups and give minutes to some of the younger guys. That could lead to them seeing more time on the floor come the postseason.
The season didn't end well for the Bucks with two-straight heavy defeats at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder and then the Magic. Prior to that, Milwaukee snapped a four-game losing streak by beating the Boston Celtics and then Magic.
Yet, losing Giannis in the Celtics game has put his status up in the air with there being doubt of him making Game 1 against the Pacers. This injury not only changes his meter but also that of his teammates that now need to step up in his absence.
It is fair to say this is quite difficult, as we know what these guys can do, but from some, we haven't seen it this season. I may be more generous and be on the positive side for some and hope when the lights are the brightest that their game matches.
With that now out of the way, here is the confidence meter for every member of the Milwaukee Bucks.