Bucks’ fan,

Let me start by saying I believe in the Milwaukee Bucks and I believe in Joe Prunty.

How much so?

Not only do I believe the Bucks will defeat Boston in round one, I firmly believe they can beat the Sixers in round two (with or without Embiid), and, if that happens to happen, watch the fuck out.

I firmly believe the Milwaukee Bucks are talented enough to get smoked by Houston or Golden State in the NBA Finals.

Here’s why:

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo:

Historically, the playoffs bring out his best. No Twitter, no Instagram, and with significant downtime in-between games, Giannis will be fully rested and fully invested in each possession.

It’s become pretty obvious that Giannis is one the NBA’s ten best players: His free throw shooting has improved, his defensive energy is contagious, and, no matter who they play, he’ll be the best player on the floor until he runs into LeBron.

2. Joe Prunty:

Without much credit, the Greg Popovich disciple has fixed many of the Bucks’ defensive issues. He’s clearly a better game coach than Kidd because he calls necessary timeouts, substitutes appropriately, and, because he’s fighting for his NBA head-coaching life, he’s going to fight tooth and nail to survive and advance.

Sorry, Jason Kidd. Despite your deficiencies as a game coach, I think you got the raw end of the deal, here (much like Ned Yost).

I think your positive influence on the young Bucks continues to be immeasurable. Considering the schedule, you would’ve ended the regular season with the exact same record as Joe Prunty.

No doubt, you were the victim of the NBA’s ridiculous insistence on a ridiculously long 82 game regular season. I hope you can come back and give them a speech or two. I sincerely think they’d appreciate it. Shit, sit at the end of the bench for a few games. It might help them beat the Cavs.

Back to Smoking Joe Prunty.

I can see it now: The Milwaukee Bucks advance to the NBA Finals and Joe Prunty signs a four year contract in the days leading up to Game #1. Every once in a while he invites Jason Kidd back to the team.

3. The Bench:

The Bucks finally have everyone healthy. Jabari Parker and Malcolm Brogdon could start for a host of NBA teams, Dellavedova and Terry are playoff tested vets with Finals experience, and Thon Maker was a difference maker in last years playoff series against Toronto. Also, don’t sleep on Shabazz Muhammad. Dude was lights out down the stretch this year.

4. Khris Middleton. (Enough said.)

5. The East sucks:

If there’s a year for a #7 seed to win the East, it’s this year.

No one is afraid of Toronto (Milwaukee included), Boston is without Hayward, Smart, and Kyrie (Brad Stevens can only do so much), and the 76ers are the least experienced team in the East.

And if the Bucks are blessed enough to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, they’ll face a LeBron James who is inhabiting his weakest supporting cast since his first stint in Cleveland.

LeBron only fights when he thinks he can win. Once doubt creeps in, he’ll phone it in and quit. Dude’s been to seven consecutive Finals. If there’s a year that streak ends, it’s this year.

6. Eric Bledsoe is rounding into form and playing his best ball of the season.

7. It’s the playoffs: If Jabari isn’t playing defense or if his shot is off, he won’t be playing. If his shot is on and he’s crashing the boards, he can win games.

8. Bradley Center playoff crowds are some of the loudest in the NBA.

9. The ridiculous NBA regular season is ridiculously too long:

Because of this, the Bucks’ have suffered through bouts of inconsistent defensive effort (especially with three’s), nonexistent rebounding effort (especially with John Henson and Thon Maker), and a general lack of continuity and focus (especially with everyone).

Now that every quarter and every possession actually means something, I’m expecting maximum effort and increased focus. When the Bucks play team defense and attack the boards (ESPECIALLY OFFENSIVE BOARDS), good things usually happen.

10. I’m drunk.

Bucks in six,

Joe

P.S.

I honestly think Milwaukee wins the Boston series handily. The Sixers series will be an epic 80’s style 7-game struggle. Middleton wins it with a fadeaway game winner.

P.P.S.

THANKS TO MY BROTHER ANTON FOR ALL THE BUCKS’ GAMES THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.P.P.S.

BUCKS IN SIX!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.P.P.P.S. Obviously, Bledsoe and the Bucks shit the bed against the Celtics in the first round. I’m using this as my Buck’s obit for the 2017-2018 season.