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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 X-Factors for the Playoffs

By Brian Sampson

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 04: Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks sits on the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 04: Eric Bledsoe #6 of the Milwaukee Bucks sits on the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 01: Brook Lope z #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 Lope z #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) /

4. Brook Lopez

Lopez has been the steal of the 2018 free agent class. He was an afterthought and is now in an excellent position to help the Bucks get out of the first round of the playoffs (and beyond) since 2001. The Bucks will certainly make him a priority to re-sign this summer.

He’s the rare center who can provide equal doses of elite rim protection and great outside shooting. He’s the only player in the NBA this season who averages at least 2.5 made threes and 2.5 blocks per game. In fact, he’s the only player in NBA history to average those numbers for a whole season.

Lopez is a real game-changer on both ends of the floor and the person who their whole defense is built around. How he plays against guys such as Al Horford, Marc Gasol and Joel Embiid will go a long way in determining whether the Bucks can get out of the East or not. If Lopez can continue to hit threes and block shots as he has been, he’ll give any of those guys trouble.

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