Can the Milwaukee Bucks Still Win a Championship?

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NBA News: Can the Milwaukee Bucks Still Win a Championship?

Three years ago, they were champions, dominant, explosive, and in control of the Eastern Conference. Last season, the Milwaukee Bucks acquired All-Star point guard Damian Lillard in a blockbuster three-team deal, instantly positioning them as favorites to win the NBA championship in 2024. With new head coach Adrian Griffin at the helm, the Bucks started the season strong, achieving a 30-13 record.

But what happened?

Things didn’t go as they wanted; injuries to key players, adjustments in their gameplay, and the new role for newcomer Damian Lillard all took a toll, compounded by a coaching change. Griffin was replaced midseason by experienced coach Doc Rivers. Under Rivers, the team struggled, finishing the year with a disappointing 17-19 record. Their subsequent performance in the playoffs was a letdown. Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the entire first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, while Lillard was sidelined for two games. Milwaukee eventually lost 4-2, ending one of the most frustrating campaigns in the NBA.

Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Bucks opted for stability, making only peripheral roster adjustments. The only notable changes include swapping starting shooting guard Malik Beasley for Gary Trent Jr. and bringing in Taurean Prince to replace Jae Crowder.

With the same core group of players, Bucks fans have one question: Can Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and company bounce back from their disastrous 2023-24 campaign and challenge for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals? These are the big questions bettors should keep in mind regarding the NBA ODDS.

Offense

One reason the team’s front office opted for a midseason coaching change was the concern over a disjointed offense. Management felt the team lacked a cohesive attack or clear offensive sets, relying instead on isolation plays. However, the statistics tell a different story.

Regardless of whether Griffin or Rivers was on the bench, Lillard’s pick-and-roll averages remained similar, averaging 9.9 possessions per game—a top-6 mark in the league. His efficiency as the ball handler was as high as ever, scoring 0.99 points per possession, which aligned perfectly with the Bucks’ strategy when they traded for him. The Bucks’ roll game was also anything but predictable, with Brook Lopez, Antetokounmpo, and Bobby Portis sharing time diving to the rim after setting screens, accumulating solid numbers in the paint.

The offense often functioned well, with the Bucks averaging only 8.4 isolation possessions per game, a number that placed them right in the middle of all playoff teams. Fueled by Lillard’s playmaking, Beasley’s sharpshooting (41.3% from three), and Antetokounmpo’s rim attacks, the Bucks’ offensefinished the season ranked 6th in the NBA.

Defense

The Bucks’ struggles primarily stemmed from their porous defense. With Lillard and Beasley, two notoriously poor defenders in the backcourt, and Khris Middleton battling injuries, Milwaukee’s perimeter defense was among the league’s worst. Their dismal 11.8% forced turnover rate, the worst in the NBA, highlighted their glaring inability to force opposing teams into mistakes.

To make matters worse, Lillard and Beasley’s defensive liabilities were exposed while guarding the pick and roll. Routinely beaten off screens, they were the main reason the Bucks surrendered the second-most points per game to pick-and-roll ball handlers (19.7 PPG). Despite Lopez’s excellent rim protection—leading the league in contested shots at the rim with 722—and Antetokounmpo’s typically solid defense, Milwaukee couldn’t overcome its perimeter woes. The Bucks finished the season with the 19th-ranked defense overall, and even with Doc Rivers at the helm, they were 17th in DFRTG throughout 27 post-All-Star game contests.

Are the Bucks Still Championship Contenders?

The Eastern Conference is deeper than ever, with Boston maintaining its championship core, the Knicks adding Mikal Bridges, the Magic bolstering their young core with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and the 76ers making the biggest splash in free agency by signing Paul George.

While it’s unwise to underestimate a team led by a former two-time MVP and NBA champion like Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ defensive deficiencies remain a significant concern. This can determine the NBA ODDS.