2021 NBA playoffs power rankings — 6. Milwaukee Bucks
My faith in the Bucks was reciprocated in round one, only to be lost entirely in round two. Milwaukee is facing arguably the best offensive team in modern basketball, so it’s hard to blame them for a 1-2 series deficit. How that deficit has come about, however, is more concerning.
The Bucks were abysmal in the first two games, and frankly, not very good in Game 3 either. Mike Budenholzer’s principles have gone out the window once again, with possessions devolving far too often into fruitless iso pursuits. Giannis Antetokounmpo loses more credibility by the day, and the Bucks’ Game 3 win feels unbearably like a fluke. The Nets will never score 83 again, and Milwaukee still almost lost.
Brooklyn is well on its way to handling Milwaukee, regardless of James Harden’s status moving forward. The Bucks are a good team with three great players, not to mention a strong supporting cast and a proven coach in Budenholzer. The pieces are all there, and while most reasonable people favored Brooklyn, the Bucks should be putting up a better fight. The 2-1 is misleading. It feels like we’re heading toward a gentlemen’s sweep. The Bucks could prove me wrong, but I’m as skeptical as ever.
The Bucks’ title chances are slim, and a series period of revaluation looms large next summer if this series continues on its current trajectory. Not only a possible coaching change, but a reconsideration of how to best build around Antetokounmpo’s rare talent.