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NBA Pretenders or Contenders: The Lakers, Nets are for real; Are the 76ers?

By Michael Saenz

NBA Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant James Harden (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant James Harden (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports) /

NBA Pretenders or Contenders: Milwaukee Bucks

ORTG: 118.6 (1st)

DRTG: 109.3 (8th)

NetRTG: 9.3 (1st) 

The Milwaukee Bucks may not be the juggernaut that they were in the regular season last year, but there’s hope that this team is built to be better in the playoffs. That’s part of the reason why they acquired Jrew holiday during the offseason, hoping that move would pay dividends when it matters most.

Even though this team has struggled to a certain extent in the regular season, or simply has been winning at the same rate as they were winning last year, the advanced stats suggest that the Bucks are one of the best teams in the league.

Milwaukee has the best offense and net rating in the league. If there’s anything concerning is the fact that they’re only ranked 13th defensively, but this team has some really good individual defenders on its roster that could off-set that concern in the postseason.

Plus, Giannis Antetokounmpo is still on their roster. If the Bucks are playing their best basketball heading into the playoffs, I’m not sure this is a team that should be slept on. Even though there will be many that don’t believe in the Bucks, simply because of what transpired in the second round of the playoffs against the Miami Heat last year, Milwaukee has all the pieces to be a contender in the East.

Add in how this team could potentially match up defensively against the Nets, I might like this Bucks team better than last season – even though they’re losing more during the regular season.

Verdict: Contenders