What’s in store for the Bucks? 5 predictions for 2019-20
By Jordan Foote
5. Milwaukee repeats as the team with the league’s best record
A season ago, the Milwaukee Bucks finished with a record of 60-22. That was good for the top record in the entire NBA, two wins ahead of the Raptors in the Eastern Conference and three ahead of Golden State out West. With the same core returning in year two under Mike Budenholzer, it’s safe to predict another finish with close to 60 wins will happen.
It’s well-known that the Bucks will be good this year. Very good. Antetokounmpo is arguably the game’s brightest young star and he has an excellent arsenal of supporting weapons. Budenholzer is one of the better coaches in the NBA and Jon Horst is the reigning Executive of the Year.
This is more about the rest of the teams in the league. As far as the Eastern Conference goes, Toronto won’t be a threat to even sniff 60 wins now that Leonard is in LA. The Philadelphia 76ers have reloaded with Josh Richardson and Al Horford, so they’ll give Milwaukee some trouble at the top. On the other side of the standings, Golden State is without Durant — and Klay Thompson, for a long stretch — and will likely take a step back record-wise.
Because the Western Conference is expected to be so competitive, there could be quite a few teams that win over 50 games. The downside to that is, well … there could be quite a few teams that win over 50 games. At the end of the day, there are fewer legitimate teams the Bucks have to deal with in the East and that may be reflected in their regular-season record.