Should the NBA Fear the Deer?

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Since winning a championship in 2021, fans of the Milwaukee Bucks have dreamed of the team winning a third title, the second with most of the players who won it three years ago.

Before the 2023-24 season began, Milwaukee acquired Damian Lillard, a prolific scorer and terrific point guard as the 'last piece' to reach the top one more time.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, and Pat Connaughton are the core members of the 2021 champs. 

Giannis is one of the best, if not the best, player in the league. Still in his prime, the team is trying to keep their fans happy by chasing more championships.

The addition of Lillard was huge, because he can score from any place past mid-court. 

The championship head coach is gone, let go after the 2022-23 season fell short of a conference final. He was replaced by a first-time head coach, Adrian Griffin, who didn't last until the All-Star game.

Griffin had a good record, but the team was disjointed, winning on talent but unable to pull things together on both sides of the ball.

Long-time NBA coach and player, Doc Rivers, was handed the reins of what should be an elite team.  After a slow start, the Bucks have looked promising in their last two road games, impressive wins over the Western conference leader, Minnesota, and Philadelphia (which is poised for its own post-season berth).

Two games doesn't mean much, but if this team can bring the same level of effort on defense while sharing the ball when it comes to scoring, I look forward to watching Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton, Lopez, and company. Let's go, Bucks!