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NBA Playoffs 2018: Power ranking all 16 playoff teams

By Bryan Toporek

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 8: Zaza Pachulia #27, Stephen Curry #30, Kevin Durant #35, Klay Thompson #11 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors face off against the Sacramento Kings on January 8, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 8: Zaza Pachulia #27, Stephen Curry #30, Kevin Durant #35, Klay Thompson #11 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors face off against the Sacramento Kings on January 8, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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15. Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks might not have been one of the biggest disappointments of the 2017-18 NBA season, but they weren’t far off.

Heading into the year, they appeared poised to build upon their sixth-place finish in last year’s Eastern Conference standings and threaten for a top-four seed this year. Led by rising MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo and the still-underrated Khris Middleton, Milwaukee had the makings of a dark-horse Finals contender, particularly after flipping Greg Monroe and a first-round pick to the Phoenix Suns early in the year for Eric Bledsoe.

That ceiling never quite materialized for the Bucks, who fired head coach Jason Kidd after a 23-22 start to the season. While Milwaukee feasted against lottery-bound clubs, finishing 27-9 against teams below .500, it was only 17-29 against teams that were .500 and above, the worst mark of any playoff team in either conference.

The Bucks’ best may still be yet to come, if Antetokounmpo’s thundering performance during last year’s playoffs is any indication. Flanked by Middleton, Bledsoe, reigning Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and 2014 No. 2 overall pick Jabari Parker, Antetokounmpo could anchor one of the league’s most terrifying small-ball units this side of Golden State’s Death Lineup. The Bucks lack a go-to big man for easy buckets around the hoop, but John Henson, Thon Maker and Tyler Zeller can contribute in limited spurts.

Ultimately, though, Milwaukee’s playoff fate comes down to the Greek Freak. If he takes matters into his own hands and starts dropping James-esque 30-point triple-doubles, the Bucks could pull off the first-round upset over the injury-ravaged Boston Celtics. If their inconsistent play throughout the regular season is any indication, though, they may still be one year away from poising a serious challenge in the playoffs.

Next: 14. San Antonio Spurs

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