Disrespected Milwaukee Bucks should embrace underdog role to feast this season

The Milwaukee Bucks should be prepared to assume the underdog role even if their championship window closes.

As prediction and speculation articles begin to gather steam ahead of the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, there is one common theme that is generally found from one article to the next. It is the absence of the Milwaukee Bucks as a legitimate championship contender in the Eastern Conference projections. And to be completely honest, I don’t think this is a very surprising revelation. Especially in ESPN Eastern Conference ProjectionsThe Bucks were picked to finish in fifth place.

With how disappointing the Bucks were In the last two playoffs, the Bucks have been defeated in the first round twice, which is why the league has refused to make the Bucks a title contender. While the Bucks have been somewhat overlooked heading into the new season, this is exactly where the team should want to be.

The Bucks should also be very willing to accept that underdog role heading into the season. Over the past two seasons, being the favorite hasn’t exactly been a good thing for the Bucks. Something of an afterthought in the Eastern Conference, it’s exactly what the Bucks might need to get back on track as they try to make the most of their rapidly deteriorating championship window.

To be fair, the Bucks’ title window is closing. I don’t think anyone can argue with that. Lillard is 34 and probably past the prime of his career. Brook Lopez will be 37 when the playoffs begin and is in the final year of his contract. Khris Middleton is 33 but has been plagued by injuries the past few seasons. He’s not a player the Bucks can rely on all the time anymore.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is still one of the most dominant players in the league, but it’s clear he needs consistent help. His body has deteriorated in recent years in the playoffs, in part because of the workload he’s been asked to do.

The Lillard acquisition was supposed to help on that front, but it didn’t quite work out last season. And as the roster continues to age, this year could be Milwaukee’s last big chance to win a title with this core. Because if the Bucks lose early in the NBA Playoffs again, you can expect big changes for the team in the offseason.