Five biggest losers of the 2020 bubble’s NBA playoffs

2. The Milwaukee Bucks’ extension pitch

With an extension opportunity for Giannis Antetokounmpo looming, the Milwaukee Bucks needed to make a statement. They needed to convince their two-time MVP to commit long term as soon as possible. That pitch could only be made in the playoffs with the Bucks proving themselves worthy of positioning Giannis to compete for championships.

Milwaukee wound up falling short while backtracking in the process, going down in the Eastern Conference Semifinals after getting to within two games of the NBA Finals last year.

Did the bubble’s neutral setting work against the team that fought to earn home-court throughout the Finals? Yes, but the Lakers didn’t seem too bothered on their side of the bracket. Where the Miami Heat a worst-case matchup? Probably, but that’s not a point worth making given the foundation the Heat have set up to stand in Milwaukee’s path moving forward.

Antetokounmpo’s rise to superstardom has put the Bucks among the upper echelon of teams. A lack of ingenuity from their head coach and shot creators along the perimeter have capped how far his greatness alone can take them.

In all likelihood, Giannis wants to remain in Milwaukee. Coming over from Greece, it’s become his adopted home after the franchise took a chance on him back in 2013.

As he enters his prime, he also wants to be put in the best position to compete for titles. The Bucks didn’t give any overwhelming reasons to suggest they’re the team to provide that environment. It puts them in an anxious situation with Antetokounmpo’s free-agent clock ticking louder each day.