Even with the addition of All-Star point guard Damian Lillard to the roster, the Milwaukee Bucks still ended up with a disappointing finish earlier this year. Turns out, their perceived decline during the 2023-24 NBA season was way overblown than what it seemed back then.
The Bucks had an eventful 2023-24 season. After a disappointing first-round exit the previous year, they made major roster changes, including trading for Lillard. However, the season was not without its challenges. Head coach Adrian Griffin was dismissed in January despite the team having the second-best record in the NBA at the time. Doc Rivers was subsequently hired as the new head coach.
The Bucks finished the regular season with a 49-33 record, winning their division but finishing third in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard hampered the team in the playoffs, and they were upset in the first round by the Indiana Pacers.
Despite the early playoff exit, the Bucks demonstrated their ability to remain competitive, even with significant roster turnover. The acquisition of Lillard, combined with the continued excellence of Antetokounmpo, suggests the team has the potential to contend for a championship in the coming seasons, provided they can keep their star players healthy.
The Reason Why Milwaukee Bucks’ 2023-24 Failed Campaign Was Overblown
While most people focused on how Milwaukee was eliminated in the playoffs, there are some details that can’t be overlooked from last season. In an NBA analysis by Dan Favale for Bleacher Report, the Bucks’ decline wasn’t really all that it seemed.
“Inconsistency, drama, underperformances, injuries and painfully obvious roster flaws all contributed to the Milwaukee Bucks turning in a topsy-turvy, thoroughly unconvincing 2023-24 campaign.
And you know what? They still won 49 games. And they still outscored opponents by 16.3 points per 100 possessions when Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez all shared the court.
Crafty signings on the margins—Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, Delon Wright—only buoy Milwaukee’s depth and appeal. Many of its concerns remain the same (supplemental athleticism, point-of-attack defense), but the roster is far better equipped to work around, if not outright plug, some of them,” Favale wrote.
While they boast a talented roster led by Antetokounmpo and Lillard, challenges remain around fit, health, and coaching. The Bucks are projected to win 52 games, but their true championship potential is hard to predict as they look to unseat the defending champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.
With the new season coming soon, Milwaukee has a chance for redemption in the NBA. Hopefully, the Bucks can clear their name and prove themselves worthy contenders in the months ahead.
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