Milwaukee Bucks
The 2024-25 Milwaukee Bucks can be defined by losing in the first round for a third consecutive year.
What did we learn?
It was the same story in Milwaukee once again.
Giannis was amazing, putting up his usual (and insane) MVP-level numbers all season.
But it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome the Bucks deficiencies.
When the Bucks traded for Dame, he was supposed to be the Robin to Giannis’ Batman and it just hasn’t worked out that way.
Dame’s blood clot issue at the end of the season was scary, but then he was miraculously able to play — only to then tear his achilles six minutes into Game 4.
That is believed to be the final dagger in this Bucks’ team window for being a hopeful Championship contender.
The Bucks 2020-21 Championship is long in the rearview now. And while that Chip can never be taken away, they now have to pay the price.
They have to pay the price for going all-in on Dame, which led to Jrue Holiday ending up on the Celtics.
They have to pay the price for trading DiVincenzo for Serge Ibaka, who gave the Bucks zilch.
They have to pay the price for moving on from Khris Middleton for Wizards Kyle Kuzma, who dropped a Tony Snell in the playoffs.
Brook Lopez is old with a ton of center miles under his belt.
Bobby Portis got suspended.
Gary Trent had a flamethrower in Game 5, hitting all those 3’s in the 4th quarter and OT, but his turnover, dropping the ball between his legs, is the lasting and ending image for this Bucks season (save for Giannis and John Haliburton).
The Pacers routed the Bucks in 5 games and rumors started swirling immediately.
We don’t know exactly what Giannis wants yet.
What we do know is that everybody wants to be a Kobe, Tim Duncan or Dirk, playing with one team for their entire career…
Until that team has both a bleak future and can’t even make it out of the first round.
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Additional Notes
The only players remaining from the 2021 Championship team? Giannis and Brook Lopez.
Milwaukee’s defense gave up 130+ points six times. Their record in those six games? 1-5.
When the Bucks’ defense gave up 120+ points? A record of 5-13.
On the contrary, when the Bucks’ defense held opponents to 110 points or less? An insane record of 28-4.
Oh yeah, let’s not forget that this Bucks team was the 2024-25 In-Season Tournament Champs.
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Did our preseason Over/Under prediction hit?
It’s a young man’s game. Under 50.5 wins.
Bucks 2024-25 record: (48-34)
Yes indeed.
So far, winning the IST has not translated to any actual postseason success.
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What’s Next?
The Giannis situation. Will he stay or will he go?
Free agents Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis (player option), Gary Trent and Taurean Prince.
Is it time for the Bucks to truly blow it up and start fresh?
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Favorite Bucks Highlight of the 2024-25 Season:
A lot of no doubt mid-rangers in this highlight reel.
