Milwaukee Bucks are the surprise team of the NBA

No one saw this coming.

Anybody who suggests they knew the Milwaukee Bucks would be a competitive team this season is not telling the truth.

But here the Bucks stand at 7-5 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, becoming the surprise team in the NBA.

The young Bucks have won three consecutive games after a triple-overtime victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

No one was sure if new Bucks Coach Jason Kidd really had it in him to develop a young team.

Kidd coached a veteran Nets team last season, staying there just a year before bolting to Milwaukee over the summer after his purported power play for more control in Brooklyn failed.

Ten of Kidd’s 15 players on the roster are 25 years old or younger, but he has them all playing solid defense.

The Bucks ranked ninth in points allowed, giving up 96.4 per game, and sixth in field-goal percentage, holding teams to 43.5% shooting.

Point guard Brandon Knight, 22 and in his fourth season in the NBA, is turning into a player. He leads the Bucks in scoring (17.9) and assists (6.8).

Forward Giannis Antetokoumpo, 19 and in his second season in the league, is second on the team in scoring (12.3) and second in rebounding (6.1).

Rookie forward Jabari Parker, 19, is fourth on the team in scoring (11.8) and third in rebounding (5.7).

Center Larry Sanders, 25 and in his fifth season in the league, leads the team in rebounding (7.3) and blocked shots (1.64).

It has become clear that the Bucks have talent and a bright future.

Twitter:@BA_Turner