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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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LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /

5. Eastern Conference Turnover

James has now left the east, which means a team not led by James will represent them in the finals. The Raptors lost their head coach. While they may maintain some success due to a similar roster, they will likely take a step back this season. The Bucks are one of the few teams in the east that really only added talent rather than subtracting it.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been at or near the top of the conference for four straight years since James returned. They finished fourth in the conference last season, but are expectedly taking a tumble down the standings. Rumors have started to circulate of the team trying to trade away pieces to save money and start their rebuild. As long as the Bucks remain healthy, they should likely overtake the Cavaliers in the standings.

Two seasons ago, the Bucks lost a tight series against the Raptors. Per Basketball-Reference, they were the superior team in the majority of their metrics. Their major issue was on the offensive end, as they scored less than 100 points in four out of six games. Casey steadily drove the Raptors up the Eastern Conference ranks, but he’s now in Detroit. The team hired a new coach in Nick Nurse. While he’s qualified, there will undoubtedly be growing pains this season.

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