![]() ![]() Then there’s Kyle Lowry, who is older, smarter, and just as ornery. New coach Nick Nurse made the sensible, and overdue, decision to play Serge Ibaka exclusively at center, a move made possible by the emergence of Pascal Siakam as the full-time power forward. Like the Bucks, the Raps are strong on both sides of the ball, ranking third in offensive rating and sixth on the defensive side. He and fellow Spurs import Danny Green have solidified the defense and ramped up the shooting considerably. The enigmatic Leonard has been absorbed into the lineup with nary a hiccup, and he has reclaimed his position as the best two-way wing in the league. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the NBA’s last folk hero If the Bucks master their new offense, they can win the East The Bucks are the best team in the NBA right now Pat Connaughton: The Milwaukee Bucks’ Secret Weapon? The Raptors have their own tortured postseason history to contend with, but there’s a whole new energy around this team In particular, that defensive system that’s so rock solid in December and January has been picked apart in the postseason by teams who take advantage of their willingness to give up shots behind the arc. Budenholzer’s teams have a long history of regular-season success followed by less than inspiring postseason results. The key question - maybe the only question that matters for Milwaukee - is whether it will work in the playoffs. They play with a purpose and take care of the little details that tripped them up previously. Budenholzer has streamlined their approach and tightened up their basic principles. The Bucks had been something a novelty throughout the Giannis era, defined by funky tactics and long athletes running around trying to create havoc. It’s impossible to overstate Budenholzer’s importance in the equation, though. The bigs are much better thanks to the addition of Brook Lopez, and there’s shooting everywhere. Point guard Eric Bledsoe has also been quietly effective as a playmaker. Khris Middleton began to emerge as a secondary scoring star last season, and he’s become an efficiency monster when plugged into Mike Budenholzer’s system. Giannis still doesn’t have a reliable outside shot, but that matters little during the regular season, when he’s able to score at will around the basket. Giannis Antetokounmpo, is of course, the main reason for their success, as he’s become one of the early leaders in the Most Valuable Player conversation. The Milwaukee Bucks are the only team in either league to rank in the top five in both offense (first) and defense (fifth.) With roughly 20 percent of the season already in the books, let’s take a look at how things stack up with this week’s List. Things tail off in a hurry after that, but the top half of the Eastern bracket is, dare we say, just as formidable as the one out West. Plus, be sure to check out Liberty Ballers, Brew Hoop, Raptors HQ, and Celtics Blog. SOHI: These aren’t the same old Raptors. ![]() ZILLER: 3 reasons not named Mike Budenholzer that the Bucks are amazing.SOHI: Jimmy Butler and the 76ers need each other. ![]()
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