The Young Bucks have arrived: The Milwaukee Bucks’ magical 2019 season
Looking back at the magical season that 2019 was for the Milwaukee Bucks and how this is just the beginning of what’s to come
A disappointing loss for the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics last year concluded a season in which they exceeded expectations. This season, they believed they were overlooked by many. Look down the line of best title odds: they weren’t even in most top 10’s last summer.
For Milwaukee, they knew they had many people to prove wrong in order to gain the respect the deserved in the 2019 season.
Mission accomplished: they finished the regular season with the league’s best record and embarrassed their first two opponents in the playoffs: the Detroit Pistons and the Celtics.
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One of SCIC’s writers put it best a few days ago: they will no longer be flying under the radar next season.
Many on the roster thrived, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will finish either first or second in this year’s MVP voting.
Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe played key roles throughout the year as well – Bledsoe earning 1st team All-Defensive honors and Middleton finishing 19th in 3-pointers made this season. Arguably the best backcourt in the East this season, the two thrived together in the playoffs on both ends of the floor, something very rare in today’s NBA.
And of course, Malcolm Brogdon was phenomenal off the bench, pouring in shots from all over the floor en route to his best year as a pro thus far. How good was it? He joined Steve Nash, Larry Bird, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, Reggie Miller, and Mark Price as a member of the prestigious 180 clubs – 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3, and 90 percent from the free throw line.
An upcoming restricted free agent, the Bucks will most likely match any offer Brogdon will receive from other teams this summer (and he will get PLENTY). Key signings and trade acquisitions were another reason for the success of the Bucks.
Brook Lopez entered this past season with no expectations from many after signing a one year deal worth $3.3 million last July. Ten months later, I’d say that was the steal of free agency by a mile and a half.
Lopez used 30-foot stepbacks and his voice to energize his teammates as well as the Fiserv Forum en route to a career-year in 3-point shooting (2.3 makes a game on 37%). In his exit interview, Lopez made it very clear that he wanted to stay with the Bucks for the 2019 season, and all early signs are pointing to him being offered an extension.
That wasn’t even the most important move of their season.
In early December, the Bucks traded for George Hill and Sam Dekker, two players the Sacramento Kings were itching to get rid of.
And, to the surprise of the Bucks, Hill ended up being their best bench player this season. On paper, nothing jumps out at you: 7.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in 20 minutes. Despite averaging a career-worst in minutes since his rookie year, Hill’s impact was made during the playoffs, where he excelled in coming off the bench and scoring in bunches, as well as playing exceptional defense.
Lastly, we look at head coach Mike Budenholzer, who will finish top 3 in Coach of the Year voting. In his first year with the Bucks, Bud couldn’t have asked for more from his superstar Giannis, his vets in Hill and Lopez, and his inexperienced bench throughout the playoffs.
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All in all, the Milwaukee Bucks turned many heads this season and gave fans many moments to remember. Give credit where it’s due: this team is poised to run the East soon alongside the Raptors. And with a locker room with as much chemistry as this one, the sky is the limit and expectations will only grow.
While some may see this past year as a failure, I refuse to. I look forward to seeing how they adapt to their newfound success in the coming years.