Tag: Playoffs

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Review of Bucks Point Guard Eric Bledsoe

It’s definitely safe to say the Bucks improved when Eric Bledsoe joined the team, but does he give them enough to be a top playoff contender?

My opinion is yes–if he takes better care of the ball.

During the Bucks’ first round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Bledsoe was on and off at best. He would have stretches where he scored, passed well, and defended, but often times, he would suddenly become quite sloppy with the ball. If he is to be a fixture in our offense, he needs to sometimes slow down his pace and look to get others involved instead of isolating and attempting a poor shot, or even losing the ball to the defense.

Although the Bucks’ one and only playoff series was not Bledsoe’s premier clinic, he still did a lot for us throughout the regular season. He because a key facilitator and clicked instantly with star Giannis Antetekounpo. Giannis and Bledsoe played a successful amount of pick and roll offense and this is definitely credit to Bledsoe for ensuring the Buck’s best player is steadily involved.

There was a lot of criticism over Bledsoe’s performance in the playoffs, but I don’t think that should overshadow how well he played most of the season. I look forward to seeing him in a Bucks uniform next season as the Bucks open in their new arena.

 

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Bucks Clinch Playoff Berth

As the regular season winds down, the Bucks will now turn their attention to which opponent they may face in the first round of the playoffs.

After locking up a post season berth, Milwaukee is currently sitting 6th in the eastern conference. They play the Philadelphia 76ers tonight and with a win they will lock up the 6th seed and likely face the 76ers 1st round in the playoffs. A loss could mean Milwaukee slides down to the 7th or 8th seeds and could potentially face either the Raptors or Celtics depending on where they land.

It has been a productive final stretch for Milwaukee, and the team looks to nurse some of their previously injured players back into the rotation. Among these players is guard Malcolm Brogdon, the reigning 6th man of the year. Brogdon has missed 30 games this season due to a quad injury he faced back in February. He is expected to play tonight against the 76ers.

Also coming back from a nagging injury is guard Matthew Dellevadova who has been dealing with a sprained ankle for over two months. Dellevadova has been a productive off the bench player and will likely be a crucial piece for the team to utilize in the post season.

Perhaps the most interesting story the Bucks will face going into the post season is when Giannis Antetokounmpo will return. The team captain has been dealing with a sore ankle for over a week now and will be missing his 2nd straight game tonight. If the Bucks want to make any sort of splash this post season, they will undoubtably need Giannis back.

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Bucks Steal OT Win Against Lakers Despite Giannis’ Poor Shooting Night

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best basketball players in the world. Yet he did not touch the ball in the final 35 seconds of regulation and several possessions in overtime during the Milwaukee Bucks’ 124-122 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at Staples Center.

Although the Bucks have come up clutch in recent games, beating the Golden State Warriors the other night and now outlasting the Lakers, there is still much improvement the team needs to truly compliment Giannis’ star potential.

It didn’t help that the Bucks fired coach Jason Kidd mid season, which clearly disrupted some of the team’s chemistry heading into the later part of the season. Now under the leadership of interim coach Joe Prunty, the Bucks have struggled to improve anymore than they had under Kidd’s tenure. It is clear the organization needs to look elsewhere in a head coach heading into next season. Prunty is not utilizing Giannis how he should be, and this is affecting the young star’s potential and growth. Antetokounmpo is already one of the most dominant players in the NBA; however, he needs the right guidance to continue his rise to glory.

The Bucks are riding the 8th and last spot in the eastern conference for playoff contention, and need to continue playing hard to hold off the Piston’s from knocking them out of the post season. Hopefully the Bucks will find a way to better utilize Giannis in crunch time. The Bucks will need to fix these kinks if they desire to make a splash in this year’s post season.