Bucks need to get back to March form, and fast
In one of the great “Twilight Zone” episodes titled “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?” a snowstorm maroons folks in a diner leaving them to wonder if an alien is among them. It has me thinking, while watching the NBA playoffs in a bubble in August: Will the real Milwaukee Bucks please stand up? Because the restart Bucks are not the same Bucks who were 53-12 and had the NBA’s best defense, the sixthbest offense and the best net rating. They possessed the talent and stats that indicated another deep postseason run. That still might be the case. But they’re not that team right now. 2020 has been its own special Twilight Zone, so why not the playoffs? Milwaukee handling Orlando was supposed to be the surest of sure things of any first-round matchup, but the eighth-seeded and injury-depleted Magic outplayed and stunned the Bucks on their way to a 122-110 victory in Game 1 of their series Tuesday. The Magic didn’t just scratch out a victory. They earned it. Nik Vucevic had 35 points and 13 rebounds, including 15 points on 3pointers. Terrence Ross scored 18 and was joined in double figures by Gary Clark (15), Markelle Fultz (15), D.J. Augustin (11 points, 11 assists) and James Ennis (11 points). The Magic were without Aaron Gordon (hamstring strain), Michael Carter-Williams (foot strain), Jonathan Isaac (torn ACL) and Mo Bamba (postCOVID-19 evaluation). Orlando’s activity and movement on offense had Milwaukee flat-footed and scrambling on defense, and Magic coach Steve Clifford put together a stellar game plan. “I don’t think our group underestimated Orlando,” Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer said. “They’re a very good team. They’re very well-coached. They’ve got a lot of good players. They’ve got weapons.” Orlando might not win another game in the series. But that’s not the point. Forget the result. That’s not important in the context of the Bucks’ big-picture dream of winning a championship. Forget that Milwaukee trailed Orlando 92-79 headed into the fourth quarter. It’s the larger issue of returning to championship-caliber basketball. Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo put up his usual great numbers: 31 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists. But he needs help. Through eight restart games and one playoff game, Milwaukee looks average. For certain, Budenholzer had a plan for building toward games in late September and October. He spread out minutes and didn’t want to overextend anyone in the restart. Makes sense. But at a certain point, the Bucks need to start playing like a team that can earn its way to the Finals. Without the normalcy of a regular playoffs with home and road games and travel, the complexion of the postseason is different, and the team that adjusts to the unusual nature of the circumstances will prosper. That’s not Milwaukee, not right now.