Monday Morning Media Roundup: April 10th, 2017

Well, the big news starting up this morning is, of course, the fact that the Bucks have successfully clinched a playoff berth regardless of how these final contests shake out. You wouldn’t be out of line saying that such a result seemed extremely unlikely after the beating the team took in January and February, but somehow this crazy season won’t have its final chapter written in April (yet).

As you’d expect, given the festive mood around here after reaching the playoffs, many of the articles this week will be focusing on just that. We’ll toss in a piece or two about the players themselves as well, but we highly suggest you head over to our playoff primer to get your mind in the right place regarding seeding and the postseason.

With that, let’s roundup!

Bucks could be spoilers in NBA playoffs (SB Nation)

Some easy Monday morning listening for you here as SB Nation’s “Drive and Kick” podcast takes some time to analyze the Bucks and their outlook heading into the playoffs. While we always highly suggest the wonderful “Locked on Bucks” broadcast, it is always helpful to get a look at how the rest of the nation/world/galaxy views Milwaukee. Can the Bucks produce a first-round upset? Find out within this podcast.

Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton Is The NBA's Most Overlooked Star (Bleacher Report)

These past couple of weeks haven’t exactly been what you’d call a high point for Bucks guard Khris Middleton, but that doesn’t dispel the interest others have in the lesser-known cog that drives Milwaukee’s engine.

There are lots of fun notes and facts about Middleton’s impact on the floor, from overpowering opposing bench units to helping the Bucks loosen up in close games late. If (and only an if at this point) he can turn things around in the playoffs, the Bucks future becomes that much more unpredictable.

NBA Playoff Picture: The Bucks are in, the Clips are up and the race for 8 rages on (Yahoo Sports)

While we already have our own post looking at Milwaukee’s postseason destiny, keeping an eye on the movement in the rest of the East is a must in predicting the path to championship glory. Dan Devine at Yahoo breaks down the weekend’s most important games and their impact on the playoff picture, and gives a deep analysis for the potential movement in the final four seeds in the East.

As wild as it seems, the Bucks have two games left to play and still have no clue who their first-round opponent will be. What a strange season indeed.

Bucks' Malcolm Brogdon asks team to donate money instead of doing ROY campaign (CBS Sports)

The Bucks as an organization have fully embraced Malcolm Brogdon as “The President”. How you feel about that nickname could take on a variety of forms, but as the Rookie of the Year campaign heated up, it seemed inevitable that the Bucks would kick off a marketing pitch of their own to convince voters to select Brogdon as ROY.

Instead, it seems like Brogdon came to the Bucks and asked them to forgo the campaign and to donate the money the organisation had set aside for it. Not having a flashy campaign won’t stop the Bucks from pushing as hard as they can for their second-round pick to take home some hardware, but a selfless gesture like that speaks loudly for the type of man Malcolm is off the court, regardless of his impact on it.

Young Bucks Tracker: Maker’s mark (FOX Sports)

You know, I hadn’t even considered the fact that the Bucks got younger still (on average) when they let Terrance Jones walk for Gary Payton II. Crazy.

Anyhow, with the season just about over, we invite you to take a look at the statistical profiles for all of Milwaukee’s U-25 players. Marvel at them, as that’s the most appropriate action when you see some of the numbers Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. put up. And of course, let it be a guide for vicious debate in the comments section as to whether or not the Bucks should re-sign Tony Snell.

And so, the final Monday Morning roundup before the end of the regular season comes to a close. I’d like to thank all those who took the time to read, comment, and contribute in their own way, and we hope it has proven a valuable kick-starter to each of your weeks. It’ll continue into the post-season and off-season in some form or another, but until then, thank you.

My picks last week didn’t exactly pan out with Milwaukee going 1-2 at the most untimely of moments, but hey, we’re playing extra April basketball regardless. All that’s left is a meeting with the Charlotte Hornets this evening in Milwaukee, and then the season finale on Wednesday in Boston against the Celtics. The Hornets have nothing to play for, but the Celtics are still fighting for the one seed in the East. Given that, peg me down for a 1-1 finish to the season. Maybe we’ll surprise ourselves with a 2-0 record instead (or, of course, a 0-2 mark and yet another .500 season).

So now we close, and we invite you to join us in the comment section to discuss all things NBA Playoffs. If you have any feedback, would like to see any changes as this post continues to transform, or just have the spiciest of takes, send them our way! Oh, and of course:

Happy Monday!