I agree, both AD and Lebron gave their all especially the latter for playing impressively for the last 10 games and averaging almost 30 points per game and 12.6 RPG. And with of course Westbrook as he finally enjoying every game and having a good time unlike last season that he's playing poorly in almost every game, right now, they are slowly climbing the ladder towards the top 10 and might dethrone the Mavs next game.
AD has been playing very aggressively in the last few games they have. I think this contributed a lot to their recent wins. That is what he needs to do because he is the one in his prime. He needs to take control of the Lakers and let Lebron be the 2nd option. They are winning more when AD is the first option and Lebron is taking fewer shots. AD dominates the paint and still shoots well outside. They just need to stay healthy and avoid lasting injuries. That would hamper the Lakers run if AD is sidelined.
Safe to say that they just got lucky to be sitting at the top of the conference when almost every team in the league are still struggling and adjusting or taking their time while the season have just started. But now that teams are starting to get their sense, their rank dropped in just a week which is not that surprising because they are not that deep enough to compete with the heavy teams on the league. In time, when they reached the right depth and know each other's strengths and weakness, they will be a heavy time just like how the Boston Celtics started.
They got injuries, that is what happened. A rebuilding team that suffers 3 or 4 injuries at the same time will surely suffer some losses. They do not have a legit superstar but they have a team basketball system in placed. That system is the one beating other superstar-laced team that only plays hero basketball. This team is more like the Boston team when Jason Tatum and Brown are still in their rookie years. They are effective but cannot get to the finals because they are still lacking experience and core players. A couple more years, this team will be a threat like the Boston is right now that Tatum and Brown are on their prime.
Yeah, if this didn't win this game because of Westbrook missing that free throw, he will then take the blame for their lost. Fortunately, the Bucks can't convert on a three to force OT, they take the gamble but it didn't paid off.
It was a good shot. I would take that anytime for the Bucks. It just did not went in to force OT.