Why Bucks Will Play Warriors in NBA Finals

Maxwell Timmer, Staff Writer, Advanced Journalism
December 12, 2018

The Milwaukee Bucks have a record of 18-8, which lands them second in the East behind the 22-7 Toronto Raptors. While they’re second in the East, they have been victorious twice against the first place Toronto Raptors. Here are three reasons why the Milwaukee Bucks will be first place in the East by the end of the season and play the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

  1. Statistics

The stats don’t lie: the Bucks are on the rise. Milwaukee is first in points per game with an average of 118.9, first in rebounds per game with an average of 50.5, fourth in assists per game with an average of 26.5, and first in point differential with an average of +9.8. The stats prove the Bucks are continuing to improve from last year and are a force to be reckoned with not only in the East but the entire league.

  1. Coaching

Mike Budenholzer and his staff’s stress on shooting the three-point shot and keeping the ball moving through star Giannis Antetokounmpo is the biggest reasons for the new-found success. Without Budenholzer, the Bucks would be back to being an average team like they were with former head coach Jason Kidd. The positive attitude on the three-point shooting creates a perfect environment for a developing team. For example, after Antetokounmpo’s bad start from the three-point line, coach Budenholzer said,”Giannis, I’m going to need you to shoot the ball. I don’t care if you make it, miss it, hit the backboard, airball, I don’t care – shoot the ball.” This attitude and positive look on the game of basketball will generate into constant improvement.

  1. Depth

With the addition of Brook Lopez, Ersan Ilyasova, George Hill and Jason Smith the Bucks no longer have to be dependent on Giannis every night. Contributors like Eric Bledsoe, Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon are able to space out on the three-point line to draw defenders into Giannis and then Giannis can pass out for the open shot. The ability to have shooters around Antetokounmpo creates success for the Bucks and is the main reason for the success they have so far.