https://theathletic.com/3282167/202...k-heat-76ers-celtics-bucks-suns-mavs-winners/ No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks Scout’s outlook: “Khris Middleton’s absence is key. Grayson Allen is a nice player at times. But I’m not sure (the Bucks) have enough if Middleton’s out. That’s a big advantage for Boston. “I’m picking Boston to get to the finals. They have the two stars who are playing at a very high level. The whole team’s been great for the last three months on both ends. They seem to be very connected, chemistry-wise. They’ve got the Defensive Player of the Year (Marcus Smart). Everybody said when Robert Williams went out that that was going to be a major blow; they didn’t miss a beat because Al Horford, Grant Williams and Daniel Theis more than held their own. (The Celtics) have very few weaknesses. “The Bucks are very good. They’ve got a championship pedigree. But I’d be concerned about who’s going to score. Giannis (and) Jrue Holiday, for sure. But then it drops off. They’ve got a lot of complementary guys. … “I know Giannis is considered the best player in the league, but the Celtics have guys who can guard Giannis. … I mean, nobody can really guard him, but they do have some matchup possibilities. … “I just don’t see the Bucks as an overpowering team by any means, even though they’re the defending champs. I think when you get to this level against a very sticky defense, like Boston, losing your second-best scorer could be decisive.” Coach’s outlook: “That’s the interesting one. I actually see Milwaukee winning the series because of what Giannis is capable of doing. … “I think the Bucks can overcome Middleton’s injury. I really do. The way that Bobby Portis has played has given them a big lift in that spot. Jrue Holiday, now with Middleton being out, I think he steps it up another level. And I think they have enough (to beat the Celtics). “Defensively — that’s where the Bucks are probably going to struggle the most against Boston, but I think they have enough (offense) to go back at Boston.” Executive’s outlook: “This is another fascinating one. While the other semifinal in the East is going to be really physical, this one’s going to be a combination of physicality and skill. … Milwaukee’s experience and having the point-of-attack defense with Jrue Holiday and their size and their versatility will be important. “Boston had a really exceptional run over the course of the last half of the season and has extended that into the playoffs where they’re really playing with confidence. They seem to have their defense in lockstep, so Milwaukee’s up for a big challenge here. I think (the fact) that Milwaukee’s been in this situation gives them a slight edge.” Scout’s pick: Celtics in seven Coach’s pick: Bucks in seven Executive’s pick: Bucks in seven Consensus advancing team: Bucks
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...-east-crown-suns-return-to-conference-finals/ Reiter's pick: Celtics in 7 Quinn's pick: Celtics in 5 Ward-Henninger's pick: Celtics in 7 Maloney's pick: Celtics in 6 Wimbish's pick: Celtics in 6 Botkin's pick: Celtics in 7 Herbert's pick: Celtics in 6 Kaskey-Blomain's pick: Celtics in 6
I think we get a 7 game series out of this and it is a coin flip series. I'm going to give the edge to the Bucks because I think their best player is still better than Boston's best player
More and more Superstars are made or broken by how they are reflected. Yao was imo reffed in a way that suppressed his star. Shaq and Giannis are reffed to allow their stars to rise. Rocket River.
giannis is only giannis b/c harden got injured in game 1, if harden doesnt get hurt and the nets sweep or win in 5, giannis is just someone who sucks in the playoffs every year. His loss to that absolute dogshit miami team in the bubble (granted the bubble doesn't count) is beyond pitiful
It's all narrative Giannis doesn't take out Kyrie . .. . . and his story is different If CP3's hamstring doesn't go south . .Harden's story is different If KD could have sat on Westbrook in OKC. .. his story is different Rocket River
yup if giannis wasn't dirty enough and scummy enough to injure kyrie he doesn't win the title, that was easily the biggest play he made in his career
thats what is really crazy. the bucks lose that series and bud is certainly fired. then they look like fools for giving away so much for jrue holiday who didnt move the needle. you might have seen some desperate roster turnover, maybe even trading middleton to try and find the winning formula. james has the WOAT luck, maybe even more than CP3.
Yeah but Giannis won anyways, even if Nets were undermanned. Ended up winning the title which is all that matters. Remember, Harden's Rockets could not best a wounded Spurs team in 2017. Harden's team also almost blew it against the Clippers in 2015 despite CP3 missing two games. I hate when the injury argument gets brought when some teams are unable to take advantage of a wounded team. Sure we aren't having this conversation about Giannis if KD would of just stepped back a little more, but fact is that this didn't happen, Nets tied the game instead and Bucks went on to win the series and also win the championship. At the end of the day that's what matters.
I don't think there has ever been a player that was more favorably reffed than Harden... He pretty much built his career off of free throws and flopping... I mean have any of ya'll even seen Giannis dominate? Its insane trying to make excuses as to why Harden has not won a chip and Giannis has.... Clearly one can take over when his team needs him and the other is in a hurry to catch a flight with Lil Baby...
Yeah, I'm kind of tired of people constantly complaining about injuries and trying to put an asterisk on every championship and call their winning a "narrative." The fact is, Harden has been very healthy for most of his career and he didn't win a championship. So was he lucky for not being hurt or was he unlucky that other teams also didn't get hurt? At the end of the day, injuries are part of the game, just like luck is part of winning. And depth (having other guys stepping in for the injured) is part of being a great team.
