After confirming their entry into the playoffs as third in the East, the Bucks also need to deal with an injury problem. Due to an unexpected injury in the final stages of the regular season, he will only be able to sit on the sidelines, and he will continue to be sidelined in the first few games of the first round of the playoffs. For the Bucks, the absence of Antetokounmpo will obviously affect the team's rotation and combat effectiveness, but for a team that wants to compete for a championship, they should also be fully prepared.
Since the Bucks won the championship in 2021, they have been looking to maintain a consistent quality, and before the start of the season, the Bucks acquired Lillard through a trade. Lillard's arrival not only boosted the Bucks' offensive firepower, but also eased the pressure on the offensive end. Even in the middle of the regular season, the Bucks got Beverley, which also took the pressure off the defensive end for Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks have made such a big adjustment to the lineup, and they also hope to let the team gradually get rid of the dependence on Brother Alphabet. Although Brother Alphabet is the tactical core of the Bucks, because the Bucks' tactical system is too simple, the opponent has long been familiar with Brother Alphabet's style of play, and will adopt a targeted strategy on the defensive end, which is one of the reasons why the Bucks have not been able to reach the Finals in the past two seasons. Especially in the regular season, the Bucks have tried to adjust the lineup many times to make the team show a different energy.
Now that Antetokounmpo is absent, the Bucks can only focus on Lillard. Although Lillard was a little uncomfortable with the Bucks' tactical rotation at the beginning of the season, he still fit well into the team as time went on and Lillard's own adjustments. Today, Lillard does not rush to attack after holding the ball, but will be the first to observe the position of his teammates, and once his teammates have better scoring opportunities, Lillard will not hesitate to provide assists for teammates.
When the game gets into crunch time, Lillard's key shot execution can also reassure the Bucks. Lillard has proven himself many times in key games in the playoffs, especially in the final moments, when Lillard was very decisive and ruthless. Without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks can maximize their offensive firepower from the outside, and Lillard's singles will also be an important part of the Bucks' widening the gap between them and their opponents.
In addition to Lillard, Middleton's play will also help the Bucks. Middleton has always been an important shooting point for the Bucks on the offensive end, but due to injuries and the dilution of some ball possession after Lillard's arrival, Middleton's form has been poor. However, after entering the playoffs, Middleton also has enough experience to find offensive breakthroughs for the team, and his mid-range shooting can open up more offensive space for Lillard.
Although the overall strength of the East has improved, the Bucks are still above many teams. Even if the absence of Antetokounmpo will have some impact, there are still plenty of available people in the Bucks. As long as they can make proper arrangements in the tactics and give enough trust to Lillard, Middleton and others, the Bucks are still the most important team in the East.