Milwaukee Bucks: Spreading The Wealth Paying Huge Dividends

The eyes of the masses are beginning to open. The club’s current five-game swing in the win column has the Milwaukee Bucks knocking on the door of national attention. It’s about time the spotlight shines on Wisconsin’s sports scene for something other than a Lambeau Leap or a Ryan Braun PED scandal.

Does big-stage recognition truly matter in the big picture? The short answer is: No. True fans will forever remain faithful. But in a world where headlines cater to larger markets, and highlights are a slave to the ratings machine, a change of scenery is more than welcome.

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There’s room on the bandwagon for everyone. Actually, let’s put it in reverse for a second. If you’re just hopping on the latest trend, ready to jump ship at the first sign of adversity, we might not get along. But for anyone who has become a fan by witnessing a feel-good story, buckle up.

Yes, you’re invited to the party as well, Byron Scott. If you ask him nicely, perhaps Jason Kidd can help out your floundering franchise. He knows a thing or two about the point guard position.

Jeremy Lin‘s tragic mistreatment and overall disregard makes total sense now. No.1 pick in the draft, here they come (though they’d better not fall out of the bottom five, since the Phoenix Suns are lurking in the background). But do us all a favor, at least make an effort in concealing the organization’s intentions.

Let’s set the backdrop:

It’s no secret that last season’s 15-67 record created a dire-straits type atmosphere. As much as I usually implore the residents of Milwaukee to stop treating their basketball squad like second-rate citizens, as opposed to their pigskin, hardball, and collegiate brothers, a case for understanding can be made.

Technically, I can’t place blame on someone abandoning the cause. Wait a minute, sure I can. But over the previous four seasons, a 119-193 record has been dropped, not to mention a fan base whose attendance has dipped in every one of those four campaigns. The highest ranking being 23rd, the lowest of the lows: 2014’s last place disgrace.

But hey, enough of all this negative energy. Things are looking up!

New found optimism was brought in the form of drafting hopeful star-in-the-making Jabari Parker…only for those hopes to quickly meet their demise when the basketball overlords decided to shred his ACL.

My bad, I thought all the antagonism was out of my system, we’re good now. There is light at the end of this tunnel. Even the shenanigans of Larry Sanders would test positive.

What’s happened since? The very definition of a team concept has erupted. Contributions are coming from every angle. There is no “I” in Milwaukee. Well, you know what I mean.

A closer look at the last five victories, jam-packed with team-oriented results: 

• A different leading scorer in four of the five.

• 50 percent and up from-the-field in three of the five.

• A per game average of 25 assists. If the sample size was expanded, they would slide just behind Golden State and Hot-lanta; where ball movement was invented.

• Speaking of profit sharing: help across the board is becoming the norm. Two games with seven players hitting double figures, one with six, and two with four. But here’s where the basketball world has no choice but to take notice:

• In the latter of the contests with four, otherwise known as the Lakers continued downward spiral, an astonishing feat took place. Those four Bucks all surpassed the 20-point mark — I repeat, four players surpassed the 20-point mark! What overtime?

• Managed to make headway in their Achilles’ heel, the turnover department. Averaging 13.4 (Season Average: 16.0, ranked third worst)

• While improving on their third best ranking in steals: 10.6 (Season Average: 9.6)

• Mix in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s and Brandon Knight’s ongoing travels to stardom, with the unheralded benefits provided from Khris Middleton, then add the secret ingredients of Jerryd Bayless, Jared Dudley and John Henson; and we’ve got one hell of a second half to look forward to.

But of course, I haven’t forgotten O.J. Mayo. Late game-tying drama from behind the arc will never get old. Neither will yelling expletives at the zebras.

Up next:

The Euro steppin’ James Harden, a reversal of fortune matchup with Boston Celtic pride, and a clash with Coach Kidd’s former home, the Brooklyn zoo.

Let us part with the aforementioned game-tying trey. Superior movement without the ball, and a demonstration on how to confuse a defense on an inbound play. Enjoy:

Next: Stabilizing The Bucks' Future

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