NBA: Grading each team’s 2014-2015 season

3rd. Central Division, Eastern Conference. MILWAUKEE BUCKS. A. <p>Amusingly, I thought I was being kind to the Bucks with a 28-54 projection in the preseason. Needless to say, I’d like that one back.</p> <p>Milwaukee is guaranteed to finish with at least a .500 record (pending the final day’s result), and that is an amazing showing given where they came from in 2013-2014. The Bucks were the worst team in the NBA (yes, worse than Philly) a year ago, but Jason Kidd has resurrected this group into a playoff team using their length and athleticism on the defensive end.</p> <p>Perhaps the most impressive part of the transformation is that number two overall selection Jabari Parker appeared in only 25 games before suffering a season-ending injury. Giannis Antetokounmpo is good for nightly entertainment, Khris Middleton is going to get <em>paid</em> in the offseason, and the Bucks have a stable of big men that function as a cohesive unit to aid in the strong defense.</p> <p>Even with a hat-tip to the talent on the roster, no one saw this coming, and props must be given to a team with a nearly 30-win jump in performance.</p>