Milwaukee Bucks: 5 reasons to be optimistic after 2016-17 season

Feb 26, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13), forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Khris Middleton (22) reacts after beating the Phoenix Suns 100-96 at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13), forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Khris Middleton (22) reacts after beating the Phoenix Suns 100-96 at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 26, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13), forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Khris Middleton (22) reacts after beating the Phoenix Suns 100-96 at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13), forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Khris Middleton (22) reacts after beating the Phoenix Suns 100-96 at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

After a surprise run into the postseason, the Milwaukee Bucks have a bright future ahead of them. Here are 5 reasons to be optimistic after the 2016-17 season

The Milwaukee Bucks ended the season in defeat, but for 29 teams that is an eventuality that cannot be avoided. While one team (read: Golden State) will hoist the trophy at season’s end, the rest of the league faces optimism, uncertainty or hopelessness when looking to the future.

From another season-ending knee injury to Jabari Parker to Khris Middleton’s preseason hamstring tear, this season for the Bucks had all the potential of derailing the franchise. They seemed to have reached with their lottery pick on Thon Maker, their last draft pick (Rashad Vaughn) had a lackluster rookie year and the East was filled with hype from all sides.

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But instead Milwaukee showed the teeth of its draft evaluations, unveiled the league’s next superstar and made the playoffs as the sixth seed. First round exit aside, this team found plenty of reasons to be optimistic about next season and beyond.

The rest of the league is on notice: the Milwaukee Bucks are ready to “Own the Future.”

While that optimism has to start with the versatile brilliance of Giannis Antetokounmpo, it doesn’t end there. Here are five reasons why the Milwaukee Bucks organization – and its devoted fans – should be optimistic after the end of the 2016-17 season.