Ranking 5 potential first round opponents for the Milwaukee Bucks
Ranking potential first-round opponents for the Milwaukee Bucks: #1 – Brooklyn Nets
Maybe it’s me believing too much in the hype of what the Brooklyn Nets could look like when they’re eventually fully whole with Ben Simmons, maybe it’s me remembering what Kevin Durant did against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round last season… whatever it is, I’m the most scared of the Nets in the first round.
If we did this based solely on record against that team, the Nets wouldn’t be first. Milwaukee beat them two out of three times this season, including both games with Durant. Those two games, though, also featured James Harden who is no longer with the Nets.
Kyrie Irving put on a show in his lone meeting against the Bucks so far and I’d be curious how they’d handle him in a full series. Heck, I’m curious how they handle the fully healthy Nets in general.
A small-ball lineup that features Durant, Simmons, Irving, Seth Curry, and then take your pick between Bruce Brown, Goran Dragic, or if they want some size, Nic Claxton or LaMarcus Aldridge.
On the other hand, the Nets don’t really have anyone who can guard Antetokounmpo with any consistency. Simmons, Claxton, or Andre Drummond would be their best choices, and, no disrespect to those guys, but I’ll take my chances with Antetokounmpo.
A lot of my worry is hypothetical with the Nets, but they have the best top-end talent of any of the teams in the play-in range and that’s something that should worry anyone.
Next. 3 reasons Giannis Antetokounmpo should win his third MVP this season. dark
All of this being said, I’m just some dude who doesn’t have the nerves of a professional basketball player that has won a championship. The Bucks ain’t scared of anybody.