For well over a decade recently, the Milwaukee Bucks were stuck in the middle: Occasionally a playoff team, and if so, a reliable loser in the first round.
Sound familiar, Pistons fans?
It may seem hard to believe now, but in the 17 seasons from 2002 until 2018, the Bucks never made the second round in their eight playoff appearances.
But as Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks visit Detroit on Thursday to start the NBA’s stretch run following the All-Star break, Milwaukee is a league-best 46-8, a finals favorite and a solid bet to win it all someday soon.