Bucks vs Raptors

[MUfan12]

I would push back on that. "Leveraged" would insinuate that the Bucks took on (assumed) multi-year deals to make a push to win it all.

You're right, it was a poor choice of words. I just am struggling with the idea of "next year" with the amount of cap/roster alchemy needed to keep the main group intact. It felt like it was all aligned for them to get out of the East this year. 9-1 in the playoffs, up 2-0 in the ECF and have two main guys for Toronto foul out in Game 3. And it all evaporated. Ugh.

[mufan2003]

You're right, it was a poor choice of words. I just am struggling with the idea of "next year" with the amount of cap/roster alchemy needed to keep the main group intact. It felt like it was all aligned for them to get out of the East this year. 9-1 in the playoffs, up 2-0 in the ECF and have two main guys for Toronto foul out in Game 3. And it all evaporated. Ugh.

I agree with you. It was a blown opportunity. Still hard to fathom being up 15 with 2 minutes left in the 3rd, and then letting Toronto go on a 26-5 run (or something like that). Uncharacteristic of them. There was no juggernaut in the East, and the Bucks had the #1 seed. Up 2-0, very disappointing.

I remain optimistic because Giannis is a legit franchise player at 24. They finally found a good coach. Horst (and Milt Newton) are showing they can make the right moves (along with Bud's input). It will be an interesting offseason. Will Wilson and DiVincenzo take on bigger roles next year? Who will be back out of Brogdon, Lopez, Middleton, Hill and Mirotic? Plus the 30th pick in the draft. Curious to see how Toronto does against Golden State.