The Milwaukee Bucks entered the season with some optimism, given that they have Giannis Antetokounmpo on the roster and added Myles Turner from the reigning Eastern Conference Champion and rival Indiana Pacers. 

After a 4-1 start, the Bucks traded wins and losses before losing seven straight to fall to 8-12. They never really recovered, and an injury to Giannis put them further behind the eight ball. 

Persistent trade rumors surrounding Giannis didn't help matters.

Once the trade deadline had passed, and it was guaranteed that Giannis would remain on the team through the end of the season, the Bucks have started to settle in. 

They won five of six heading into the All-Star break, including a 110-93 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in their last game. 

The Bucks are 23-30, 12th in the East at the break. They are 1.5 games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final play-in spot, and will get Giannis back at some point in the coming weeks. 

Speaking to the media at All-Star weekend, Bobby Portis said that the Bucks have "more than enough" and "the right group of guys trending in the right direction" to make a run in the second half.

Portis said that he's excited for the second half of the season and that all they needed is a chance should they end up in a Play-In spot. 

Portis has been doing his part to help the Bucks all season, not only as a veteran voice and NBA Champion, but on the floor, he's averaging 13.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. 

Holding on to their franchise cornerstone and the best player in franchise history was the biggest move the Bucks made at the deadline. 

In not trading Giannis, they were able to make some other additions that have already paid dividends. 

They got Cam Thomas after he was waived by the Brooklyn Nets. Thomas has brought immediate scoring to a team that has struggled to create when Giannis has been off the floor. 

In three games with the Bucks, Thomas is averaging 16.7 points while shooting 47% from the field and 38% from three. 

The other addition was Ousmane Dieng, who joined the team after being traded multiple times throughout the day. 

Dieng has also suited up three times for the Bucks, averaging 12.7 points, five rebounds, two assists, and 1.3 blocks. 

Milwaukee will look to keep the momentum from the pre-break going when they return to the floor on February 20 against the New Orleans Pelicans.