Does Mike Budenholzer Need to Get Giannis to NBA Finals to Save His Job?

The Milwaukee Bucks saved their season, and most likely Mike Budenholzer’s job, with a Game 7 win over the Brooklyn Nets. A 3-Year JourneyBefore Budenholzer arrived in Milwaukee in 2018, the Bucks had made the playoffs two years in a row and for a third time in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first five seasons. The Heat eliminated the Bucks 4-1, Antetokounmpo averaged only 21.8 points in the series and the theme of Budenholzer making zero adjustments held true. It wasn’t just that the team was down in the second round—everything was coming back to a lack of adjustments, and post-game responses like this after Game 2 added fuel to the fire:Asked Mike Budenholzer, whether or not seeing Kevin Durant/Kyrie Irving on pace to play 40-plus minutes has any impact on what he does with Giannis and his stars. He was unstoppable—but the Bucks and Budenholzer were willing participants.With Brook Lopez in the game, the Nets would target the center knowing his drop coverage would get Durant clean looks off of ball screens. After staying with Lopez too long, Budenholzer adjusted and brought in Pat Connaughton, but the Nets began targeting him next.McCollum and the Blazers Snapped Postseason Losing Streak for "Jennifer"Stars Invest in Plant-Based Food as Vegetarianism Sweeps NBAThe NBA Got Some Wild Techs This SeasonJarrett Allen Is One of the NBA’s Hottest Rim ProtectorsWade's Jersey Swaps Created Epic Moments This SeasonWestbrook Makes History While Honoring Nipsey HussleDevin Booker Makes History with Scoring Tear29 Years Ago, Jordan Dropped Career-High 69 Points Bosh Is Getting His Jersey Raised to the Rafters in MiamiSteph Returns to Houston for 1st Time Since His Moon Landing TrollLou Williams Is Coming for a Repeat of Sixth Man of the YearPat Beverley Has the Clippers Stealing the LA ShineLeBron Keeps Shredding NBA Record BooksYoung's Hot Streak Is Heating Up the ROY Race with LukaLeBron and 2 Chainz Form a Superteam to Release a New AlbumWade's #OneLastDance Dominated FebruaryWarriors Fans Go Wild After Unforgettable Moments with StephEight Years Ago, the Nuggets Traded Melo to the KnicksTwo Years Ago, the Kings Shipped Boogie to the PelicansASG Will Be Competitive Again If the NBA Raises the StakesThe Bucks were reluctant to send a double team Durant’s way when he had a mismatch after conceding switches too easily. McCollum and the Blazers Snapped Postseason Losing Streak for "Jennifer"Stars Invest in Plant-Based Food as Vegetarianism Sweeps NBAThe NBA Got Some Wild Techs This SeasonJarrett Allen Is One of the NBA’s Hottest Rim ProtectorsWade's Jersey Swaps Created Epic Moments This SeasonWestbrook Makes History While Honoring Nipsey HussleDevin Booker Makes History with Scoring Tear29 Years Ago, Jordan Dropped Career-High 69 Points Bosh Is Getting His Jersey Raised to the Rafters in MiamiSteph Returns to Houston for 1st Time Since His Moon Landing TrollLou Williams Is Coming for a Repeat of Sixth Man of the YearPat Beverley Has the Clippers Stealing the LA ShineLeBron Keeps Shredding NBA Record BooksYoung's Hot Streak Is Heating Up the ROY Race with LukaLeBron and 2 Chainz Form a Superteam to Release a New AlbumWade's #OneLastDance Dominated FebruaryWarriors Fans Go Wild After Unforgettable Moments with StephEight Years Ago, the Nuggets Traded Melo to the KnicksTwo Years Ago, the Kings Shipped Boogie to the PelicansASG Will Be Competitive Again If the NBA Raises the StakesThe Bucks also got away from their clutch offense. McCollum and the Blazers Snapped Postseason Losing Streak for "Jennifer"Stars Invest in Plant-Based Food as Vegetarianism Sweeps NBAThe NBA Got Some Wild Techs This SeasonJarrett Allen Is One of the NBA’s Hottest Rim ProtectorsWade's Jersey Swaps Created Epic Moments This SeasonWestbrook Makes History While Honoring Nipsey HussleDevin Booker Makes History with Scoring Tear29 Years Ago, Jordan Dropped Career-High 69 Points Bosh Is Getting His Jersey Raised to the Rafters in MiamiSteph Returns to Houston for 1st Time Since His Moon Landing TrollLou Williams Is Coming for a Repeat of Sixth Man of the YearPat Beverley Has the Clippers Stealing the LA ShineLeBron Keeps Shredding NBA Record BooksYoung's Hot Streak Is Heating Up the ROY Race with LukaLeBron and 2 Chainz Form a Superteam to Release a New AlbumWade's #OneLastDance Dominated FebruaryWarriors Fans Go Wild After Unforgettable Moments with StephEight Years Ago, the Nuggets Traded Melo to the KnicksTwo Years Ago, the Kings Shipped Boogie to the PelicansASG Will Be Competitive Again If the NBA Raises the StakesMilwaukee spent all season adjusting and playing with things.