5. Milwaukee Bucks (22-10)
The Milwaukee Bucks are ahead of schedule, and I don’t think anyone would argue with that. Sure you can say they’ve always had the talent to be this special, but I don’t think anyone expected them to make the jump in year one under new coach Mike Budenholzer.
Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, the Bucks are on pace to finish with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. The big question is whether they can continue at this high level of play heading into the second half of the year.
They have all the ingredients to be a huge threat to the likes of the Raptors and Celtics, but I’m not sure this team has enough experience to make it happen in the playoffs.