Some small market NBA teams struggle to put butts in seats. The Milwaukee Bucks have notoriously been one of those teams, but that, however, is changing.

The home of the Bucks, BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, has seen growth each year since finishing dead-last in attendance in 2013-14 (13,487 fans per home game). This year, they’ve climbed to 88-percent capacity at home with nearly 16,500 fans.

Bucks Average Home Attendance Since 2013-14:

14,907 — 2014-15

15,166 — 2015-16

15,828 — 2016-17

16,476 — 2017-18 (through 35 games)

Besides an improved fan experience at the Bradley Center recently, the main reason for increased attendance is because fans want to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo (aka the Greek Freak) in action. Every since Antetokounmpo stepped onto the scene, he’s been an instant jaw dropper and exactly what fans are willing to pay money for. Combined with a strong cast of role players, the team finally has the city buying in.

Things should only improve moving forward, too. People in Wisconsin are very excited about their new arena opening for the 2018-2019 season — the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center. Besides the Bucks, the new digs are planning to host all Marquette Golden Eagles’ home games and will feature the biggest center-hung scoreboard in the NBA.

Of course, a competitive on-court product is always paramount to keeping ticket sales ringing. One longtime Bucks’ season-ticket holder (who chose to remain anonymous) told Slackie Brown as much when reporting on this story,

“I feel this city will come out and fill the arena if this team consistently wins. Look how we pack the place come playoff time,” she said.

And the postseason numbers she spoke of are impressive. In the six playoff games that Milwaukee has hosted since 2013-14, the fans have packed the joint to the brim. Each count rang in at 18,717 fans, making all six contests sellouts.

All in all, Milwaukee is a basketball town, they just want a winner. Think about this, the Pacers — also a potential playoff team — are filling less of their building this year than Milwaukee. Indiana advertises themselves as the best basketball state in the country and still can’t get sellouts every night of the regular season. By comparisons sake, the Bucks are in a pretty good spot. And with the way the Bucks are building (both on and off the court), attendance will definitely continue trending upward!