(Photo : Dylan Buell/Getty Images) INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – Aaron Nesmith (#23) of the Indiana Pacers confronts Khris Middleton (#22) and Patrick Beverley (#21) of the Milwaukee Bucks within the fourth quarter throughout Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 26, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The larger the expectations, the tougher you fall.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ 2023-2024 season has ended after dropping within the first spherical to the Indiana Pacers in six video games.
Doc Rivers and the remainder of the Bucks completed their marketing campaign on a bitter notice after succumbing to the younger Pacers, 98-120.
Damian Lillard returned for the staff after lacking Game 5 on account of Achilles points and scored 28 factors. Series hero Khris Middleton, in the meantime, went chilly and solely managed to place up 14 factors.
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Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t play a recreation within the sequence in any respect.
The Bucks had been among the many favorites heading into the season with their acquisition of Lillard from the Portland Trailblazers.
Alas, issues by no means acquired steady for them because the season went alongside.
How did this occur to a staff with two of one of the best franchise leaders in historical past?
3 principal takeaways from the Bucks’ failed NBA title bid
1. Looking for id from coach as a substitute of staff
They had been doing nicely with Adrian Griffin. They hoped to change into dominant by firing him mid-season and hiring Doc Rivers.
Nothing of that kind occurred. They had been 17-19 beneath his tutelage.
Rivers is an effective coach, however because the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Antetokounmpo greenlighted the teaching change, and he even praised Rivers’ hiring.
“Some peace of mind,” Antetokounmpo stated through The Atheltic when requested what it was like taking part in for Rivers in February.
“He’s tough. He’s Doc f-ing Rivers. He knows his s-. Same thing for Coach Bud. Same with Joe Prunty, J-Kidd. And Coach Griff was a great coach, a great person to work with, but, at the end of the day, it was his first time.”
Yes, they had been mid with AG even when they had been 30-13.
However, altering the coach meant a complete revision of the system, which they didn’t have the posh of time for.
They needed to get higher in protection, however the offense suffered.
It didn’t assist that their three principal gamers by no means frolicked collectively.
2. Big 3 didn’t have sufficient time collectively
The Bucks had been prompt underdogs of their sequence towards the Pacers after the information of the Greek Freak’s damage and the opportunity of lacking all the first spherical.
Lillard confirmed that he was a playoff man within the first two video games. Khris Middleton proved why he was among the many most underrated gamers within the league.
The Pacers had their numbers within the offseason, however the playoffs are a distinct story.
Rivers coached the trio of Khash, Giannis, and Dame simply eight occasions this season. Of these video games, they went 3-5.
One of the large 3 was not in a position to end a few of these video games after being compelled out on account of accidents.
3. Lack of belief on the bench
The playoffs are the place rotations get shorter.
However, it could not damage to belief the bench if the roster is riddled with accidents.
The Bucks signed veterans they seldom used. Like Danilo Gallinari.
Meanwhile, AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. are taking part in their hearts out at any time when they get the prospect. They present hustle and protection at any time when wanted.
The Bucks’ season was a failure. There’s no method round it. It’s again to the drafting board for them.
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