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5 Reasons The Milwaukee Bucks Lost Their 1st Round Series With Toronto

By Josh Cornelissen

Apr 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) defends during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls a ball as Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) defends during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 22, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) runs into Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the third quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) runs into Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the third quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Overall Inexperience

The Toronto Raptors entered the series flush with postseason experience. Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, and the core of this Raptors’ team had been to the playoffs in three consecutive seasons prior to this year, tallying 31 games before this year even began.

Serge Ibaka joined the team with his 80+ appearances, including a run to the NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012. Cory Joseph was with Toronto for their run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, and prior to that earned a ring going to the Finals in back-to-back seasons with the San Antonio Spurs; Joseph has never been on a team to miss the playoffs.

The Milwaukee Bucks boasted no such overall experience, with a number of rotation players suiting up for their first postseason. Tony Snell was a little-used bench player on the Chicago Bulls and made it into a few playoff games, while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton made it into the first round in 2015. Only Jason Terry and Matthew Dellavedova brought championship pedigree to the team.

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For every rising team in the league, there comes a moment where young stars are baptized by fire in the postseason. They are tested again and again, and in every case they are knocked down. It’s a necessary step on the path to contention. The Golden State Warriors lost to the San Antonio Spurs in a humbling 2013 series; the Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010 before flipping the script in 2012.

This series is where Giannis Antetokounmpo learned a valuable lesson in late-game situations. This is where Greg Monroe saw that when he gives his all he can make a significant impact on a high-leverage game. Thon Maker graduated from NBA grade school, President Brogdon tested himself against one of the best point guards in the league, and every player felt the highs and lows of the NBA playoffs.

When the Bucks are back in the postseason next season – and they will be – they will have grown up from their experiences in this series. But for this year, it was the experience of the Toronto roster – and head coach Dwane Casey – that found the path to victory.

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