The Milwaukee Bucks have become the fifth #1 seed team in NBA history to lose in the first round of the NBA Playoffs (Knicks over Heat in 1999, Nuggets over Sonics in 1994, Warriors over Mavericks 2007, Grizzlies over Spurs in 2011) and yes the basketball world is surprised.
Milwaukee was poised for another run at an NBA title and we all as fans were looking forward to a Bucks-Celtics Eastern Conference Finals matchup but Jimmy Butler had different plans. The Miami Heat were a rollercoaster ride this season from injuries to different starting lineups, various rotations and finding consistency. Well, they're shining at the right time even after losing their sharpshooter Tyler Herro.
It's the difference in coaching and what makes Coach Spo great. It now shows you that Coach Budenholzer is just an average coach with the right talent around him. When you have a brute force in Giannis Antetokounmpo, you for sure better win games and they did that this season.
Coach Budenholzer did nothing to change how Jimmy Butler played his game. Game 1-35 points, Game 2-25 points, Game 3-30 points, Game 4-56 points, Game 5-42 points. That's a series average of 37.6 points per game in a series. There's no other coach in the NBA Playoffs right now that would allow that, you can't name me one.
To address the postgame comments said by Giannis, he went the “politically correct” route in his answer to if this season was a failure. To put it in simple terms, yes this was a failed season. When you're a title contending team, your goal is to win or it's a failed season. Too many people are praising mediocrity these days and it has to stop.
The biggest competitors in NBA history in Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant considered every season they didn't win a championship ‘a failure.’ There were no in between, beat around the bush, soliloquy answers to the competitive nature of two of the greatest basketball players to lace up sneakers.
The soundbyte sounds great to the ears, in a printed newspaper and it can be motivational for kids but when it's all said and done and Giannis retires, he will go into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame but we will all ask if he was a winner. The answer to that is yes but you play the game for the love of it and to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy over your head in June. That is what makes the season memorable, nothing else.
It's great to say the right things and be liked by everyone. It's harder to say the harsh truth and be respected. Missing 13 free throws in an elimination game can't happen. Maybe it's time to call Gilbert Arenas and ask him about the off-season he had after missing two clutch free throws in a playoff game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and how he went through the mental aspect of changing his game.
I love Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks and how small market teams are winning in the NBA now. I understand Giannis missed three games but there were still opportunities to win games while he was out. Injuries happen unfortunately and that's part of any season. The thing is I'm a realist and truth teller because I've played basketball for 32 years of my life and never have I been “politically correct” in my competitive nature. It's why I do well in my outside endeavors because I'm a no nonsense guy.
Now that I've addressed the elephant in the room, it's time for the Bucks to look at their roster and think “what's next” for them. You had a center who was top five in blocks this year and runner up for Defensive Player of the Year in Brook Lopez, one of the best defenders and all-purpose players in Jrue Holiday, shooters in Greyson Allen, Pat Connaughton and Khris Middleton, the fiery, energetic role player in Bobby Portis and others but you didn't get it done.
Reflections in the mirror suck when you lose but it's how you come back next season to be great. Failed seasons are part of sports, let's stop being “politically correct” and nice Giannis, it's time to start being truthful and be respected…
