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Milwaukee Bucks Ultimate 2022-23 NBA Season Preview

By Brian Sampson

May 11, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 01 Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 1, 2022 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 01 Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 1, 2022 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Coaching

I recently asked Twitter to rate Budenholzer on a scale of 1 to 10, if 1 is the worst and 10 is the best coach in the NBA. Most people gave him around a 7 with a few outliers coming in hot with numbers around 3 (for the record, that’s absolutely absurd). A fair amount of tweeters commented on his stubbornness which I found surprising.

Budenholzer isn’t a perfect coach, nor does he have to be for the Bucks to accomplish their goals. He plays the numbers game on both sides of the court which has helped Milwaukee come into the 21st century after burning in purgatory under Jason Kidd. This evolution to the modern game has spurred them to tremendous success on both sides of the court.

He does a great job of demanding a lot out of his players while also listening to (and implementing) their feedback. His ability to manage personalities and the locker room is underrated. He continues to develop NBA-level head coaches.

His inability/unwillingness to move on from “his” players cost him a couple of rating points. He inexplicably played George Hill over Jevon Carter in last year’s postseason, a small move with big results. Carter was playing the best basketball of his career. Hill–his worst. Yet, the move came and there was no looking back even as Hill sunk and drowned miserably. That’s not the first time and it is my biggest critique.

Rating: 8/10

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