“The most we can hope for is to create the best possible conditions for success, then let go of the outcome. The ride is a lot more fun that way.” Phil Jackson wrote these words in Eleven Rings, and perhaps it’s good advice for players. But for Bucks fans, forget that nonsense! Milwaukee hasn’t appeared in the east finals since Giannis was seven and not the NBA finals since 1974. So should when the Bucks win the next four, it’ll be time to party like it’s, check that, party like never before.
45 Years Of Humdrum
Well, maybe not humdrum, but it’s been four and a half frustrating decades! Milwaukee fans are exhausted about hearing about certain “amazing” events. Consider first the 1982 Brewers. A great season? Sure, but it shouldn’t control the city! Too many make too much about an otherwise forgotten year.
The problem is apparent: The Packers, Badgers, Brewers, and Bucks have had much more exciting and more recent success. And the Packers have been the Google of Wisconsin sports long enough. Remember when Aaron Rodgers let the wild card pack to the Super Bowl? Of course! How Exciting! But even Rodgers would say the Bucks deserve love too.
The football idol even had a front row seat to Wednesday’s game to cheer the deer. No contradiction here, Packer fans are more than welcome to support the Bucks’ upcoming triumph too.
Bucks Finals Dream
A reasonable goal entering this season was a playoff series win. Just one, please. Brandon Jennings‘ bucks in six prediction went from a joke to a tease to a rallying cry. It’s an overly pessimistic rallying cry considering Milwaukee has lost just one playoff game.
The cynic’s reply would be: you’ve waited for 45 years to make the finals, can’t you wait for a few more days? No, we can’t.
Watch a movie? Why not Avengers: Endgame? Because Milwaukee has reached the endgame of its wait for the finals and no legion of supervillains nor a lesser opponent will prevent a happy ending.
