Eastern Conference Playoffs: Where Do The Bucks Fit In?

Apr 3, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward

(34) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard

(11) in the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

4) Milwaukee Bucks

This is kind of a bold pick, but I have my reasons for it. There are only two of them, but they’re very convincing reasons, so just roll with me here.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the future of the Milwaukee Bucks. The general Bucks population seems to believe Jabari Parker is the future, but I’m firmly in the Giannis camp. Bringing an NBA title to Milwaukee rests more on Giannis than it does on Jabari.

The Greak Freak is one steady jumper away from being one of the most complete and best players in the NBA. He’s already one of the best dozen or so defenders in the entire association. He’s obviously a terror in transition unlike just about anybody else in the NBA. He’s got an unparallelled work ethic and attitude.

If he could just sink those open jumpers, he would be nearly unguardable on offense. If you come up to stop him from shooting, he can get to the rim from anywhere on the three-point line in just two or three steps, and fast. If you leave him open, he’ll just nail a jumper.

If you think I’m crazy for that, well then at least I’m not alone in being crazy. Bill Simmons called Giannis “a Durant/T-Mac scoring fetus.” That quote is amazing. Giannis is also amazing, and will lead the Bucks to the fourth seed this season and start to show more Durnat/T-Mac signs in the next 82 games before the playoffs.

The other reason is simpler. Greg Monroe. This team finally has a last-ditch option they can throw it into whenever they want who can generate points with ease. Actually, instead of me telling you why Monroe is so good I’ll let another Grantland writer do it. Take it away, Zach Lowe:

"Monroe gives the Bucks a first option they didn’t really have — a fail-safe for an offense that ranked just 25th in points per possession last season. At some point over the last 18 months, Monroe discovered he could just beat the crap out of almost any post defender. He is a brute, and he can move damn near anyone close to the basket if he gets a little time. He has a deceptive explosiveness to his back-down game that draws double-teams, free throws, and offensive rebounds."

Those two Young Bucks are going to lead Milwaukee to homecourt advantage in the playoffs, and most likely to the second round. I can’t wait to see it happen.

Next: The Third Seed