More than ever, the strength of the Milwaukee Bucks roster revolves around Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has a real shot to contend for his third MVP this season. While he'll be running the point quite a bit, he is, of course, technically a power forward. In position-for-position conference rankings, that gives the Bucks a major advantage in their rotations at the four.
Power forward rankings in the Eastern Conference
1. Milwaukee Bucks - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma
2. Indiana Pacers - Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker
3. Cleveland Cavaliers - Evan Mobley, Dean Wade, Larry Nance Jr.
4. Atlanta Hawks - Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Johnson, Asa Newell
5. New York - OG Anunoby, Guerschon Yabusele, Karl Anthony-Towns
6. Miami Heat - Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jovic, Simone Fontecchio
7. Orlando Magic - Paolo Banchero, Jonathan Isaac, Tristan da Silva
8. Toronto Raptors - Scottie Barnes, Jonathan Mogbo, Brandon Ingram
9. Philadelphia 76ers - Paul George, Justin Edwards, Trendon Watford
10. Brooklyn Nets - Michael Porter Jr., Noah Clowney, Ziaire Williams
11. Detroit Pistons - Tobias Harris, Ron Holland II, Isaiah Stewart
12. Charlotte Hornets - Miles Bridges, Grant Williams, Liam McNeely
13. Chicago Bulls - Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams, Noah Essengue
14. Boston Celtics - Chris Boucher, Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman
15. Washington Wizards - Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, Anthony Gill
There isn't much to say here. Giannis is the best player in the conference by a Grand Canyon-sized chasm. If that wasn't enough, Portis is a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate. As the third player on the depth chart, Kuzma will get some burn at the four-spot, but Doc Rivers won't have to rely on him. In the East, no other unit really comes close.
That said, the upper half of the conference is stacked. Many teams have the luxury of deploying their star power forward at center as well: Mobley, Porzingis, and Adebayo are all options there. In fact, Miami may opt to start Adebayo at the five, the position he has played most, in favor of sophomore Kel'el Ware. They have options. Atlanta has similar flexibility with Porzingis.
The thing that separates the Bucks is Antetokounmpo's pure dominance on both ends of the court. How many other teams in the East can say their guy has averaged 30 points per game (multiple times) and won Defensive Player of the Year?
Production doesn't fall off a cliff when he sits, either. Portis is a better backup than most of the secondary options on the list and, with Damian Lillard gone, he could enjoy increased involvement on offense. His ability to space the floor as a shooter also allows the Milwaukee Bucks to play him regularly alongside Giannis, who covers for the former's defensive shortcomings.
Considering Milwaukee's frontcourt as a whole, with Myles Turner at center, it's safe to say this roster is the best in the league, not just the Eastern Conference. The Bucks may get surprising contributions from their underrated group of guards, but the foundation of any success will be built on the shoulders of their bigs and Giannis Antetokounmpo's in particular.