3. Milwaukee Bucks
The defending champions. The Milwaukee Bucks displayed nothing short of an all-around excellent 2021 season. The addition of Jrue Holiday proved more valuable than any had expected, and the reign of terror the Greek Freak has been unleashing on the league carries on. \
Giannis Antetokounmpo captured his first ring and Finals MVP award after leading his Bucks all throughout the postseason. Milwaukee’s had many years of dominance throughout the last half-decade, so a banner hanging in Fiserv Forum wasn’t the most unbelievable thought or expectation in the world.
Aside from a few minor adjustments, the team’s relatively stuck together as the same force that won the franchise its first title in 50 years. It’s as clear as day the East runs through Milwaukee and if anybody wants to win they have to go through them first.