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Milwaukee Bucks
Overall: 65
Title track: 84
Ownership: 66
Coaching: 19
Players: 30
Fan relations: 53
Affordability: 15
Stadium experience: 110
Bang for the buck: 95
Change from last year: +55
Suddenly, the Bucks have it. There is an aggressive new ownership group, an impressive collection of young talent and a popular coach. So it's no surprise that among NBA franchises in the Ultimate Standings, only the LeBron Cavaliers made a bigger leap than Milwaukee, which vaulted 55 spots.
What's good
Fueling the rise was the instant embrace for the Bucks' new coach, Jason Kidd, who came over from Brooklyn in 2014. Milwaukee moved up an astounding 97 spots in the coaching category. Kidd has cachet across the league as a much-admired former player, injecting a faceless franchise with charisma. Furthermore, he proved adept at working with his young players, whose improvement made the Bucks the NBA's surprise team, as they went 41-41 after winning just 15 games in the previous season.
What's bad
Despite the yeoman's effort of Bango the Buck, Milwaukee ranks 110th in stadium experience at decrepit BMO Harris Bradley Center. That should change eventually with the groundbreaking for a new arena appearing imminent. Given the NBA's deadline for Milwaukee to open a new venue by 2017, the franchise's survival in the Upper Midwest -- that is, avoiding the fate of the Seattle SuperSonics -- depends on the project.
What's new
In addition to the coaching category, Milwaukee's major move up the Ultimate Standings resulted from the way fans have embraced the young Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker, among others, have Milwaukee fans excited about what is to come, as does free-agent coup Greg Monroe. "Behind our new owners and Jason Kidd, we had the 10th-best single-season turnaround in NBA history," GM John Hammond said. "After bringing in Greg to join our talented young core, there is increasing optimism surrounding this team. We hope to grow together into something special."
Next: Chicago Bulls | Full rankings