2. Milwaukee Bucks
Many folks consider the Milwaukee Bucks a one-man show and it’s easy to understand when you consider how downright dominant Giannis Antetokounmpo has been so far in 2019-20. He’s a huge reason for their current 16-game winning streak and one of the early MVP favorites.
Let’s remember, though, that basketball is a team sport. As great as the Greek Freak is, he can’t win a championship on his own. With that said, he’s far from alone on this year’s Milwaukee roster.
Look at names like Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, Brook Lopez and Wesley Matthews. All of them, and many more, have played huge roles in the Bucks’ blisteringly hot start. Middleton is the sharpshooting No. 2 scoring option, Bledsoe runs the show when Giannis isn’t, Lopez is the underrated big man and scoring threat and Matthews provides even more shooting ability.
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Put simply, this team is dangerous. And having Antetokounmpo as the motor powering this locomotive makes a potential run all the more likely. Having less competition in the Eastern Conference also helps.
The Los Angeles Lakers can compete with the Bucks in an epic Finals showdown, as long as they can find a way to keep Giannis from going off on a nightly basis. They’ve got enough defense to keep Middleton and Matthews in check and should have enough offense between LeBron and Davis to keep pace.
Lopez could cause problems with his floor-stretching abilities, but that could change if DeMarcus Cousins returns in time for the playoffs.
We’ll get our first glimpse of this matchup on Dec. 19, when the Lakers and Bucks meet for the first of their two games in 2019-20. People will absolutely read too much into it. Either way, Milwaukee is the East’s best shot at stopping the Lakers if they make it to the Finals.