Milwaukee Bucks: 3 reasons the season is over

1. The Celtics always had a next man up

Gordon Hayward signed with the Boston Celtics with the expectation of being the top offensive option. When the team then traded for Kyrie Irving, their offensive attack looked even more potent. With both players out for the postseason, the Celtics needed help to come from less heralded players.

Seemingly every single game, that was the case, from a tight overtime win in Game 1 to a beatdown of the Bucks in Game 7. Whoever Brad Stevens called upon was ready to step up and help his team win. The Celtics’ organizational culture and internal development had even fringe players ready for their moment.

In Games 1 and 2, it was second-year wing Jaylen Brown. He played 46 minutes and dropped 20 points in Game 1, finishing a +18 in a six-point overtime win. In Game 2 he took things even higher, scoring 30 on 12-of-22 shooting from the field.

In Game 5, with the Bucks riding a two-game winning streak and holding the momentum, it was Semi Ojeleye stepping into the starting lineup and providing 31 big minutes of defense on Giannis Antetokounmpo. Marcus Smart also returned from injury and contributed a steal, three blocks and a positive net rating in his 25 minutes.

Finally in Game 7, Jaylen Brown went down with a hamstring injury to join Irving and Hayward on the bench. Head coach Brad Stevens had the magic touch, with every player he rotated in stepping up in a huge way. Shane Larkin played crunch-time minutes and finished +11; Aron Baynes, playing a minimized role the past few games, scooped up five offensive rebounds in just 15 minutes of play.

Rookie Jayson Tatum was incredible on both ends of the court. He dropped 20 points on the Bucks, along with six rebounds, five assists and a highlight block, finishing the night a team-high +24.

Al Horford, the team’s third All-Star player, was tremendous throughout the season. Terry Rozier showed the rest of the world why Boston fans treasure him more than gold or silver. Marcus Morris outshone his brother with strong bench scoring every game.

The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t going home because Boston was the most talented team, at least not on paper. They are going home because Boston and head coach Brad Stevens have cultivated a roster from top-to-bottom of players who know their roles and how to shine in them.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from Game 7 vs. Celtics

In Game 7 when Stevens needed players, he had them. Joe Prunty did not, and did not know how to use the ones he had. And that is why the Milwaukee Bucks are turning to the offseason, and the Boston Celtics are moving on.