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Why the Milwaukee Bucks can win the NBA title—and why they won't
The Milwaukee Bucks are one of a handful of NBA teams that have a legitimate shot at winning the NBA title this season. With Giannis Antetokounmpo again having an MVP-type season and Damian Lillard onboard to help him with the scoring duties once the postseason rolls around, the Bucks are primed to make a deep playoff run. But despite their impressive regular-season record and star-studded lineup, there are still some doubts about whether or not the Bucks can win it all.
Defense remains shaky
According to SBNation's Ricky O'Donnell, the Bucks' defense—albeit better under Doc Rivers' watch—remains a shaky part of their game. While they have the personnel to lock down opponents, the Bucks sometimes struggle on this end of the floor, whether it's due to lack of effort or poor execution. And in a league where defense can make or break a seven-game series, this could cause problems for Milwaukee. Another cause for concern is Khris Middleton's availability. He has been sidelined since early February after suffering a sprained ankle.
"Milwaukee's point-of-attack defense will be tested heavily in the playoffs," O'Donnell wrote.
"Getting Khris Middleton right is another huge key. Middleton seems to have fallen off a sizable amount since Milwaukee's 2021 championship run. The 32-year-old has been in and out of the lineup all year with injuries. If Middleton can be the third scorer Milwaukee needs while also giving the team another solid defender, Milwaukee will be an extremely tough out in the East. Of course, those are a lot of ifs."
Can Giannis put the Bucks on his broad shoulders?
Simply put, so long as the Bucks have Antetokounmpo on their roster, they will always have a chance to win. The 6-foot-11 forward from Greece has become one of the most dominant forces in the NBA, earning two MVP awards and leading his team to their first championship in 50 years in 2021.
However, with great success comes great expectations, and this season has been no different for Giannis and the Bucks. After an early exit in last year's playoffs, many doubted whether this team could return to the top. However, Antetokounmpo's play this season has put to rest a lot of those doubts.
"Antetokounmpo remains very much in his prime at 29 years old. With two MVPs already on the mantle, he's putting together a case that this is his best offensive season so far. Giannis has the highest true shooting percentage of his career (65.3 percent), he's averaging his most-ever assists per 100 possessions (8.7), and he's posting a career-best offensive rebound rate," O'Donnell continued.
"Giannis is the best player in the East, and his mere presence gives the Bucks a puncher's chance to get their stuff together and go on a championship run."
