Milwaukee Bucks And The Eastern Conference Playoff Draft
Round 1
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James, F – It doesn’t matter which team was allowed to pick first, LeBron James would be far and away the only player in consideration.
Not only is he in contention for the best player of all time, but James showed in last season’s postseason run that he is still the most intimidating two-way force in the league right now.
LeBron has challengers for the MVP this season, but that applies to a regular season award. If the entire pool of NBA players was made available to a team putting together a roster for one postseason, James would almost certainly be the selection.
Compared to just the Eastern Conference, the King holds his throne easily.
2. Boston Celtics: Jimmy Butler, F – The Celtics have risen to the top of the Eastern Conference standings by a combination of factors, but most noticeably the offensive wizardry of Isaiah Thomas.
While Thomas has a case for the second-best season in the East this year (perhaps even the best), his size and defensive limitations drop him behind the elite two-way wings in the East.
Butler and the Celtics will unite here after seasons of trade speculation, perhaps as a harbinger of what this offseason has in store. Butler has a track record of playoff excellence, and is most likely the player best equipped to check LeBron James with his combination of strength and athleticism.
He gives the Celtics the best foundation to build on at both ends of the court.
3. Toronto Raptors: Paul George, F – Again we see the value of the two-way wing, as the Raptors take George over Thomas and their own Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. George has a playoff history of his own, twice doing battle against the Miami Heat to decide the Eastern Conference.
Just last season he nearly drug the Indiana Pacers to a first-round upset of these Raptors, something Toronto neither forgets nor wishes to repeat here.
4. Washington Wizards: John Wall, PG – Our first non-wing goes here, as the Wizards take one of their own in John Wall. While Giannis Antetokounmpo is still on the board and fits the two-way wing mold, he has just one playoff series to his ledger.
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Wall has multiple series wins on his account and his size and defensive ability push him ahead of other East guards such as Thomas or Lowry. Head coach Scott Brooks centers his offense on a dynamic point guard and is guaranteed of one here.
5. Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, F – Three of our top five teams select players of their own, as the Bucks get the “Greek Freak” all to their own.
In addition to his seamless fit into Milwaukee’s switch-everything defense, his size and ability to seize transition opportunities makes Antetokounmpo even more terrifying in a playoff setting. Giannis may not have the playoff experience yet, but everyone knows he will have it soon.
Atlanta Hawks: Isaiah Thomas, PG – Thomas finally goes sixth to the Atlanta Hawks, where his offensive mastery is too great to overlook.
Last season, the Hawks were warped nearly to the breaking point guarding Thomas in the playoffs, and head coach Mike Budenholzer will craft plays on the fly to take advantage of his gifts.
Thomas’ ability to rise to the occasion in the fourth quarter shows an extra gear the guard can reach for in high-leverage playoff situations.
Chicago Bulls: Kyrie Irving, PG – From among a group of guards Kyrie emerges as the postseason hero, he of the Finals-clinching dagger just last season.
As games slow down in the playoffs and half-court offense becomes key, Irving’s ability to create shots off the dribble will keep the Bulls from stagnating on offense.
Miami Heat: Kyle Lowry, PG – In past season Lowry struggled once the playoffs hit, but last season he and the Raptors broke through and made the Conference Finals.
Assuming full health, Lowry is the rare player who can lock down opposing point guards on one end and unlock the offense on the other.