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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 steps they must take to reach the NBA Finals

By Thomas J. Brown

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Mike Budenholzer and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks look on against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Mike Budenholzer and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks look on against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Add another offensive player who can create his own shot

The Bucks need another offensive weapon. It’s true they have two All-Stars who combined to average over 50 points per game last season. It’s true they have four players on the roster who shot over 40 percent from 3-point land last season. Their starting point guard averaged a respectable 14.9 points per game and their starting center averaged a respectable 12.0 points per game; and they still don’t have enough fire power to make it to next year’s Finals as currently constructed.

The truth is, Milwaukee must make a move, and that move needs to bring in another 20 points per game scorer. It sounds like a lot to ask, but it’s been done before. When the Lakers had Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, fans in L.A. became frustrated after watching the team make the playoffs for three straight seasons but fail to reach the NBA Finals.

A lot of people have forgotten this but one of the moves that helped Shaq and Kobe make it over the hump was the addition of Glen Rice. Rice was a proven scorer from his days with the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat. While he didn’t average 20 alongside Shaq and Kobe, the fact that he was still able to do so gave the team a reliable third option that opposing teams had to respect.

Antetokounmpo and Middleton aren’t quite Shaq and Kobe, but they must find the Glen Rice of their equation if they’re going to get over the hump and reach the NBA Finals next season. In a loaded Eastern Conference, adding firepower will be the only way to compete. If the front office fails to do so, they are taking the risk of watching a generational talent walk away in free agency.

Milwaukee’s management must do everything possible this offseason to get Antetokounmpo the help he needs. Their future literally depends on it.

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