The Milwaukee Bucks are all in win a championship. That’s why they traded for Damian Lillard and re-signed Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. The Bucks fired first-year head coach Adrian Griffin and installed Doc Rivers for the same reason. They are one of most talented teams in the league, but we want to win another ring.
Nothing has been easy for Milwaukee this season. They handled injuries and changes on the fly. The Bucks are 17-18 on the road, but no team wants to face them in the playoffs if healthy. Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the world and Milwaukee’s top four is as talented as any other team.
The Bucks have flaws, and the opposition will try to exploit them in the playoffs. Can Doc Rivers help his team cover their weaknesses and win it all? Here are some issues that could cost Milwaukee.
Does Doc Rivers have enough reliable options in any playoff series? Giannis, Dame, Middleton and Lopez are locked in, but it’s fair to question every player after that. Malik Beasley fell out of the Lakers’ playoff rotation last season, but the Bucks have no other options on the wing. Bobby Portis, Jae Crowder, Patrick Beverley and Pat Connaughton have warts. They will play, but can the Bucks trust them to fill crucial minutes?
There is no one else unless Danilo Gallinari finds his place or one of the younger players steps up. Rivers has no changes to make in a series. He could cut someone out of the rotation, but that means relying more on his best players.
Winning 16 playoff games is a chore. The Bucks can’t play Giannis, Dame, Middleton and Lopez for more than 40 minutes every night. They need depth and won’t get it until next year. This could cost them dearly, but it’s far from their only problem.
