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#3 The Bucks were able to beat the Nets without shooting the ball well
While Brooklyn Nets fans will argue that injuries and Kevin Durant's big feet cost them a shot at the title this year, the fact is that the Milwaukee Bucks got the job done on the road in Game Seven. Where in the past they may have messed up an opportunity to play a series mostly against one superstar rather than three, the Bucks prevailed. Most importantly, they managed this massive victory while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday shot the ball poorly.
Over the seven-game series, Antetokounmpo shot at a measly 26% from deep on 4.4 attempts per game and 48% from the free-throw line. Holiday, meanwhile, also made only 26% of his 6.6 threes each night and connected with just 36% of field-goal efforts. Even Mr. Reliable Khris Middleton shot below his usual standards, making only 40% of shots and 36.5% of threes.
But the Milwaukee Bucks were able to come through the series despite a Kevin Durant onslaught. Should their stars improve their shooting from deep and Antetokounmpo resolve his free-throw issues, they can overcome the Nets, who will be their most fierce opponents, once again.
#4 Strength in depth
Despite parting ways with PJ Tucker this summer, which seemed like a bizarre decision at the time, the Milwaukee Bucks do have strong depth in their side.
Bobby Portis re-signed with the franchise after the energetic and efficient minutes he brought off the bench in the playoffs, averaging 8.8 points and five rebounds per game. They also rounded out the roster by adding George Hill, Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye, who will bring experience and value during the regular season.
The Milwaukee Bucks will also be eagerly awaiting the return of starting point guard Donte DiVincenzo, who will now have competition for his place. This should only raise his game during the 2021-22 season.
#5 The Milwaukee Bucks have experience and solidity
While the Milwaukee Bucks have made the necessary roster adjustments to solidify their championship hopes, they have also kept their core together. That includes coach Mike Budenholzer, who signed a three-year extension with the franchise on Tuesday.
Budenholzer has already been the team's head coach since 2018 and has learned to adjust his lineup in the playoffs - a weakness Bucks fans have been frustrated with in the past. By the end of his new deal, all things going well, he will have spent six years with Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose contracts end in 2024 and 2026 respectively. He would have also spent five years with Brook Lopez.
Adding Jrue Holiday to the squad on a four-year deal means the Milwaukee Bucks have a starting lineup for the future and one worthy of adding more banners. There is a lot of evidence to show that keeping a nucleus of players that have won a title together is crucial, the most recent example of which came from the Golden State Warriors.
