In what was one of the more compelling NBA Finals matchups in recent memory, the Milwaukee Bucks have shown the sports world that you can organically grow a championship roster. After drafting Giannis Antetokounmpo and acquiring Khris Middleton in a trade (and many other moves), it has given the state the euphoric chance to celebrate in my home state of Wisconsin. The Buffalo Bills, another team that has gone through a lot of playoff pain can learn from the Bucks.
The Buffalo Bills have been one of the franchises that have gotten to that big stage so many times and unfortunately have failed. Everyone knows that- and yet the seeds are planted for growing into a true Super Bowl championship contender.
Enter in Josh Allen, arguably the Bills’ own Antentokounmpo. Allen has progressed each year with the help of Stefon Diggs being at his side- not to mention the great coaching staff surrounding these players.
The Milwaukee Bucks can show the Buffalo Bills the way by doing one specific thing: create the atmosphere, work hard and it can be done
What the Bucks did was slowly acquire solid players and build around them Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, Jrue Holiday, and Bobby Portis. The Bucks front office listened to their star player and found a way to get the players in Milwaukee. Acquiring or drafting these players were the keys to Milwaukee’s success. On top of all of that, the new stadium (Fiserv Forum) created an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the NBA.
With word going around that Bills are going to get a new stadium themselves, creating an atmosphere similar to Milwaukee’s Deer District should be carried out in its own unique way. Bills fans are known as some of the best fans (if not the best) in the entire NFL. Why not have more of them close to the stadium during game days to increase the atmosphere?
The Deer District was meant to be “Milwaukee’s living room” and seeing 65,000 fans outside the arena last night is something that will never be topped again (some of the vacant lots used to accommodate the huge crowds will be hotels/etc in the future>)
Keeping as many role players and key contributors is what Buffalo must do. Find a way to limit your key guys from leaving and continue to trust everyone as they suit up on Sundays. If there is a player that will help spark this team, regardless of who vouches for them to come to Buffalo, then every effort should be made to go and get them.
The Buffalo Bills fell short in the AFC Championship last year and the wildcard round the year before. This team has learned just as much as the Milwaukee Bucks did in their own struggles. Becoming more well-rounded is how Giannis Antetokounmpo brought a title to Milwaukee.
If the Bills can develop more of a run game and diversify their offense, then a Super Bowl title is not out of reach. Let’s see what happens in this 2021 season.