Milwaukee Bucks: Ranking 3 biggest rivals for the 2021-22 NBA season

Rival No. 1 for the Milwaukee Bucks for 2021-22 season — Brooklyn Nets

Following the thrilling second round matchup between the Bucks and Brooklyn Nets during this past postseason, there will not be much controversy with this selection.

These two teams battled it out for seven consecutive games, with the Bucks emerging from the rubble victorious after surviving overtime in Game 7 on the road. Aside from the first two games, both of which were Brooklyn blowouts, every game that followed in this series was must-see-tv, living up to the hype that surrounded it heading in. Many viewed these two as the best teams in the East then, and they will almost certainly hold onto that sentiment heading into 2021-22.

These two teams boast arguably the most star-studded trios currently constructed in the NBA, although the Los Angeles Lakers pose a strong argument. For the Nets, they have a star-studded lineup with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, while the Bucks have Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday. Seeing those six go at it will have fans glued to their seats. It seems like the NBA understood this as the Bucks and Nets are set to tip-off the 2021-22 season on October 19, the night where the Bucks will receive their rings.

Of course, the individual rivalry between Antetokounmpo and Harden is something that must be mentioned whenever discussing these two teams. The two have verbally gone back and forth over the past few years over several issues, and that notion always adds some extra tension when they share the floor.

The Nets will undoubtedly have redemption on their mind as they look to dethrone the Bucks as world champions entering the 2021-22 season.