Bucks reason No. 3: Who’s stopping them?
Who’s going to stop the Milwaukee Bucks? If you look up and down the Eastern Conference, there are a few teams that will give them a series, but no team can be a definitive favorite over them.
Currently, the Brooklyn Nets lead the Eastern Conference and are widely considered a championship contender. The Bucks did beat them in the Conference Semifinals last year, albeit without James Harden or Kyrie Irving for much of the series.
However, it’s likely that Irving wouldn’t be there for at least half of a potential series considering his vaccination status. Furthermore, Harden hasn’t looked the same this year, with many officiating changes seemingly affecting his productivity on a nightly basis. That roster will still rely on Kevin Durant to carry them in a potential series, both on the offensive and defensive ends, as the Nets have nobody near-capable of guarding the Greek Freak.
Durant has the length and quickness to keep up with him, but nowhere near enough strength to stand him up on drives to the rim. It’s a nearly impossible assignment for him considering the offensive load he takes on, but then again, he almost did it last year.
Besides them, the Chicago Bulls, although a fun story, have no chance of guarding Giannis. They would have to throw a length wing such as Derrick Jones Jr. or Javonte Green on him and pray he decides to pass the ball.
The Miami Heat and Bam Adebayo have given Giannis trouble in the past, but the Bucks just swept them in the first round last year. Is the addition of Kyle Lowry going to swing the entire series?
As for teams out west, a potential finals rematch with the Suns would be intriguing, as well as a clash with a fully healthy Warriors team. Each of those would be fantastic series’ to watch, but the Bucks have to be favorites as of now.
It’s difficult to repeat as NBA champions, but the Milwaukee Bucks have a real chance of doing it.