With the Bucks prepping for the start of a hopefully long playoff run this weekend, positioned as the best team in the entire NBA and clinching home court for the entire postseason, everyone's getting into the playoff spirit: local restaurants, the beer garden and courtyard area just outside Fiserv Forum and now the Milwaukee River.

The Bucks received permission this morning to dye the river a bright shade of green. Think Chicago on St. Patrick's Day ... but with a winning and competently run basketball team.

The news of the Bucks-ification of the Milwaukee River was first reported by the Journal Sentinel, which also noted plans to deck The Hop streetcar in Bucks garb and cover the Downtown skywalk with shades of the team's particular green hue. 

"We have been working for months on the ability to launch the playoffs by painting the Milwaukee River green for a period of time," Bucks President Peter Feigin told JSOnline, adding plans for a playoff party "the likes of which hasn't been seen around here."

The news comes shortly after yesterday's announcement of viewing parties held outside Fiserv Forum in the plaza, The Beer Garden and entertainment block for Games 1 and 2 of the Bucks' upcoming first round matchup, as well as the in-arena T-shirt giveaways for the first two games. 

The only thing left is to find out when exactly those first two games (and the rest of  the first round series) will take place, and who the Bucks will play – whether it's the Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets or Orlando Magic. We'll find that out tonight after the final games of the regular season dribble out.

In the meantime, stay tuned to OnMilwaukee for more coverage on the green-ing of the river on Friday and on the rest of the Bucks' journey, on and off the court, through the playoffs.