NBA: Milwaukee Bucks On Verge Of Rare Feat

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Mar 28, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks a basket against Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) in the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

2014-15 Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks were hoping for improvement with the continued development of second-year forward/athletic freak of nature Giannis Antetokounmpo and the addition of No. 2 overall pick Jabari Parker from Duke.

There was also a new coach on the scene, as Jason Kidd was “traded” (“extradited” might be a better word, or “extricated”) from the Brooklyn Nets and brought to Milwaukee even as former coach Larry Drew was attending a press conference at the Milwaukee Public Market to introduce Parker to the city.

So, yeah … that was awkward.

What went right?

The Bucks were helped early in the season by an engaged and in-shape O.J. Mayo, who accepted a reserve role and provided the team with an offensive spark for the second unit.

Brandon Knight, who did not get an extension before the Halloween deadline and was set to become a restricted free agent after the season, took control of the club at Kidd’s urging and became their tone-setter and floor leader.

Kidd, who sometimes looked lost coaching a very veteran squad in Brooklyn, took control of the young Bucks and set a tone heavy on defense and accountability.

Dec 15, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) celebrates with teammates after hitting a game winning shot as time expired against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

He benched Khris Middleton for a game early in the season and Middleton responded with a breakout campaign, becoming one of the most-coveted restricted free agents on this summer’s market with his solid two-way play.

Parker showed signs of being the real deal and Antetokounmpo made a tremendous leap from Year One to Year Two.

And when times got trying, the Bucks rallied around one another for much of the season. Losing Parker to a season-ending ACL injury in mid-December could have broken the club, but instead Milwaukee adopted a “next-man-up” mentality and kept plugging.

The Sanders debacle was assuaged by Zaza Pachulia stepping up and holding down the center spot in a solid, workmanlike fashion. While Pachulia’s nowhere near the rim protector Sanders could be, John Henson provided some of that with the second unit.

The rough patch in the road came at the trade deadline, when Knight was dealt to Phoenix in a three-team deal that brought reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams from the 76ers, along with rookie point guard Tyler Ennis and young big Miles Plumlee from the Suns.

Since the trade, Milwaukee is just 9-17. But the Bucks are 3-2 in April, a decent sign moving into postseason play.

Two players who played key roles off the bench were veterans Jared Dudley and Jerryd Bayless. Dudley brought experience and has played the role of elder statesman in the locker room, while Bayless has been a solid backup combo guard.

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