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Milwaukee Bucks: How they stack up in Eastern Conference after trade deadline

By Kenny Jilek

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after fouling during the third quarter of the game against New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 01, 2018 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after fouling during the third quarter of the game against New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 01, 2018 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 21: Giannis Ante tokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 21, 2018 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, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 21: Giannis Ante tokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 21, 2018 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) /

Milwaukee Bucks

Trade Deadline Losses: Thon Maker, Jason Smith, three second round draft picks

Trade Deadline Acquisitions:  Nikola Mirotic

There has been a lot of noise around the Eastern Conference lately that has put the Bucks first place spot in doubt in they eyes of analysts. The Bucks are still the frontrunner in the East. They still have MVP-candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo and acquired stud forward Nikola Mirotic without giving up a single rotation piece.

Starting Lineup:  Eric Bledsoe, Malcolm Brogdon, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez 

Starting Lineup Combined Stats: 88.0 points per game, 20.0 assists per game, 32.0 rebounds per game, 112.1 Offensive Rating, 103.9 Defensive Rating, 8.2 Net Rating

Every player in this starting lineup has All-Star talent. Antetokounmpo and Middleton are All-Stars this season, Brook Lopez has been one once before, and Bledsoe and Brogdon aren’t far behind. They all stretch the floor well and open up driving lanes for Giannis and are all capable of creating a shot for themselves. This brilliantly built starting lineup is the reason that the Bucks have the best record in the entire NBA right now.

Key Bench Contributors: Nikola Mirotic, D.J. Wilson, George Hill, Sterling Brown, Ersan Ilyasova, Sterling Brown, Pat Connaughton

The Bucks have the longest list of bench contributors and for good reason. Coach Budenholzer has rotated guys in and out, not letting anyone get too far out of the picture. This has led to six solid bench players that have all played their roles very well this season. The one knock on the Bucks deep bench is that there is not a big scoring threat, the leading bench scorer being Ilyasova at 6.3 points per game. That will soon be fixed when they unleash a healthy Nikola Mirotic after the All-Star Break.

Right now, the  Bucks are still the frontrunners in the Eastern Conference, led by genius coaching from Budenholzer and company and a historically good season from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Currently, in terms of team talent factoring in injuries, chemistry, and fit from trades this is how I rank the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

  1. Milwaukee Bucks
  2. Boston Celtics
  3. Philadelphia 76ers
  4. Indiana Pacers
  5. Toronto Raptors

Next. 3 reasons Antetokounmpo is MVP at All-Star break. dark

However, when the playoffs roll around and everyone is acclimated to their new teams the Eastern Conference, in terms of talent and play at that point, not standings, will probably look something like this:

  1. Milwaukee Bucks
  2. Philadelphia 76ers
  3. Toronto Raptors
  4. Boston Celtics
  5. Indiana Pacers
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