Milwaukee Bucks: 38-25, 4th Place In Eastern Conference
QUESTION: “Who will step up around Giannis Antetokounmpo?”
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the world and while he may not win MVP for the third time in his career this season, this does not change the fact that Giannis is the face of the NBA right now.
On any given night, Giannis Antetokounmpo can go for 30, 40, sometimes even 50 points! Nobody in the league can guard his length, athleticism, and stature, which is why the Bucks have a really strong chance to repeat as champions.
However, their path in the Eastern Conference playoffs is not going to be easy compared to last season. They faced the Heat, Nets, and Hawks last season in the playoffs, but looking at their first two series from last year in the Heat and Nets, both of those teams improved drastically.
If the season ended today, the Bucks would face the Cavaliers, then likely the Heat and either the Bulls or 76ers. Milwaukee surely has a chance to beat all of those teams in a seven-game series, but the key question for them is who will step up around Giannis Antetokounmpo because he is not going to be able to score 50 points every single night.
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Khris Middleton has been that No. 2 option the Bucks have needed over the years, but he has been a streaky scorer at times this season, and point guard Jrue Holiday is more of a facilitator and playmaker than a prime scoring option.
Looking at their secondary talent, the Bucks have been without Brook Lopez all year long and while Bobby Portis has stepped up big-time, is he someone the Bucks can depend on for at least 16-17 points per game in the postseason?
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The Bucks have a talented bench and a strong “Big 3” that won them a title last year, yet this team truly is Giannis Antetokunmpo and everyone else.
Giannis is going to get his points every single night no matter the opponent, however, if teams can take away the other scoring options on the Bucks in Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, this team suddenly looks very vulnerable in a seven-game series.
