Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

To the joy of Commissioner David Stern, the Milwaukee Bucks are off the face of the playoff planet. It’s really disappointing. This year’s regular and post-season runs made it fun to be a Bucks fan again. But alas, the better team did win the opening round series.

It was clear that Atlanta had superior talent. It was clear that they thought that would be enough. After two games, they were right. But like that pesky mosquito that buzzes around your ear, the Bucks refused to go away. They even got in a few bites while Atlanta lazily swiped at ‘em. Then came the big one – game 5 in the A-T-L – Bango’s proboscis improbably penetrating the Hawks’ skin. That was enough for Atlanta. With one focused, eye-opening swat, they crushed the nuisance that was the Bucks.

In the end, that’s about what the Bucks proved to be…a mere nuisance to the Atlanta Hawks.

The final tally will show that Atlanta escaped 4 games to 3, but in truth, the Hawks treated the Bucks like a rented donkey. Taking nothing away from Milwaukee’s showing, they’ve got a little ways to go before they can legitimately compete with the big boys of the East (not to mention the league).

But the Bucks are no fluke. In a very short amount of time, John Hammond has infused a fan base with something it has lacked for almost a decade…hope.