Milwaukee Bucks: 5 reasons to be excited for 2019-20 NBA season
By Jordan Foote
1. The Eastern Conference is wide open
Last year’s NBA champions, the Toronto Raptors, are without their best player. Kawhi Leonard went to the Western Conference, leaving Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam and company to fend for themselves (albeit as champs).
The big fish has left the pond, paving the way for Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Milwaukee Bucks to assert their dominance. Who’s standing in their way?
The biggest threat to the Bucks in the East is the Philadelphia 76ers. Putting a lineup of Ben Simmons, Josh Richardson, Tobias Harris, Al Horford and Joel Embiid on the court every night is simply frightening.
Lacking in the depth department, though, that could come back to bite them come playoff time.
After Philadelphia, things get tricks. The Boston Celtics are looking to move forward after Kyrie Irving left town for Brooklyn. Kemba Walker is tasked with being the best player on his team (again) and is facing high expectations in Boston.
The Nets would be taken seriously as a contender if it weren’t for Kevin Durant missing this season while he recovers from an Achilles rupture.
The Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic figure to be dark horses in the playoff picture. Depending on when Victor Oladipo is back to playing like his old self, Indy could make some serious noise. Orlando squeaked into the postseason a year ago and is anxious to build on that performance.
Overall, the Eastern Conference is super competitive. The good news for the Bucks is that said competition is taking place below them.
Outside of Philadelphia, there isn’t a lineup that can go toe-to-toe with Eric Bledsoe, Wesley Matthews, Khris Middleton, Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez.
Next. Every team’s biggest question entering 2019-20. dark
If there’s a time for Milwaukee to go for it, it’s now. Expecting their team to bring home a championship in the immediate future, fans have every right to be excited about the 2019-20 season.