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NBA: Breaking down which team will be the best in the East, Sixers or Bucks

By Hani Salehi

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 18: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on October 18, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 18: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on October 18, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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NBA Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid Ben Simmons (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Talent

Last season, the Bucks had a very successful year finishing with the leagues best record of 60-22 and also making it to Conference Finals. A major factor in their success was the emergence of Giannis Antetokounmpo who had an MVP caliber season and was a force on both ends of the floor.

The Bucks also had some great complementary pieces such as Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Eric Bledsoe which allowed the Bucks to create a deadly pace and space offense to pair with their already stout defense.

With the success of last season, the focus for the Bucks this offseason was to bring back as many pieces as they could. For the most part, they were successful re-signing Khris Middleton, George Hill, and Brook Lopez, while also adding quality pieces in Kyle Korver, Wesley Matthews, and Robin Lopez. The Bucks di, however,r lose Malcolm Brogdon who played a major role coming off the bench.

Flipping it over to the Sixers, they had a relatively mediocre season finishing third in the conference and being eliminated in the second round of playoffs at hands of Kawhi Leonard. Not to mention the Sixers lost Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat this offseason, who was arguably their best closer.

After another early playoff exit, Joel Embiid‘s health concerns and Ben Simmons‘ lack of improvement the Sixers were faced with many questions heading into this offseason.

However, GM Elton Brand quickly pivoted away from Jimmy Butler and focused on gaining as much win-now talent as he could. This included acquiring Josh Richardson in a sign-and-trade with the Heat, re-signing Tobias Harris, Mike Scott, and James Ennis, as well as signing Al Horford and Kyle O’Quin.

Bucks Projected Starting Lineup: 

PG – Eric Bledsoe

SG – Khris Middleton *

SF – Wesley Mathews

PF – Giannis Antetokounmpo *

C- Brook Lopez

Sixers Projected Starting Lineup:

PG – Ben Simmons *

SG – Josh Richardson

SF – Tobias Harris

PF – Al Horford *

C- Joel Embiid *

*All-Star

Looking at both team’s rosters, it is clear that the Sixers simply have more star-level talent on their team. Just comparing each team’s projected starting lineups, the only Bucks player that I would take over a Sixers player is Giannis over Embiid, otherwise, I would take Simmons over Middleton, Horford over Lopez, and Harris over Bledsoe.

Not to mention the Sixers have a total of three all-stars in Horford, Embiid, and Simmons with Tobias Harris being a borderline all-star as well. This means the Sixers simply have more talent on their team, and in a star-driven NBA having more talented players gives the Sixers an advantage over the Bucks. This round goes to the Sixers.

Sixers – 1 vs. Bucks – 0

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