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Milwaukee Bucks: Why they will make the second round in 2018

By Gage Bridgford

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 22: Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the first quarter of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 22, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 22: Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the first quarter of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 22, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Marc Lasry, Milwaukee Bucks
Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images for Leaders /

The Milwaukee Bucks want to move up the Eastern Conference standings. They have the chance to do so this season if they can accomplish these few tasks.

The Milwaukee Bucks are heading into 2018-19 in a wide-open Central division and a new head coach. LeBron James has left the Eastern Conference and the Toronto Raptors will presumably take a step back after losing Dwane Casey. They are poised to take the next step that has avoided them for nearly 20 years. The second round is a very real possibility for them this year with their current situation.

Milwaukee has failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs since they made the Eastern Conference Finals in 2000-01. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a strong MVP candidate with a strong supporting cast around him. Khris Middleton is steadily making a case to be one of the most underrated number two options in the NBA. While this team may not be on the level of the Philadelphia 76ers or Boston Celtics, they aren’t far off.

Mike Budenholzer will be implementing a brand new system that has been successful for many years. The former Gregg Popovich disciple encouraged a ball-sharing system that led the Atlanta Hawks to their franchise-best record in 2014-15. With Antetokounmpo running the show, he’ll work to implement a variation of his system in Milwaukee. If the team takes to it quickly, they will end up much higher than the seventh seed that they were last season.

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