One of the most interesting debates for the next couple of years in the NBA is the following: Who will be the MVP in three years? Who will be the NBA champion in three years? Will it be the Minnesota Timberwolves with Karl Anthony Towns? The Golden State Warriors? The San Antonio Spurs who are contenders every year for the past 20 years in the NBA? A question that can have many right answers, and a question that will be answered by 2020. Yesterday’s Bucks/Raptors game 6 was one of the most exciting and passionate game of the playoffs so far. Giannis Antetokounmpo played 47 minutes, trying to get the Bucks back into the game, while Middleton, Terry, Monroe helped him in overcoming a 25 point deficit. Unfortunately, a couple of late mistakes by the Bucks caused them the game, which got them out of round two and the rest of the playoffs. However, the future for this young team is bright. Even though there are many teams who can be in championship contention in the next three to five years, I believe that the Bucks are one of these teams.
Despite not having a great three-point shooter on their roster, except Jason ‘The Jet’ Terry, who made a couple of clutch shots in yesterday’s showcase, the Bucks fought really hard and won two games against a very solid Toronto team (3rd seed). The Bucks however, need a shooter that will help, Middleton and Antetokounmpo offensively. Let’s not forget that the Bucks were also playing without Jabari Parker, a really talented young offensive player who can average 20 per game. If healthy, starting from next year, while adding a shooter, or an experienced point guard, (e.g Derrick Rose, Chris Paul) the Bucks can overcome the first round of the playoffs, take a huge step and reach the eastern conference semis. To do that, they must play all season long, like they played in the playoffs for most of the six games. Starting from October, all the way through April, if they can reach the 4th seed in the eastern conference will be a great achievement that will lead them closer to their short term goal, reaching the second round. With Giannis Antetokounmpo as a leader of the team, Jabari Parker a young offensive weapon who can get you 20 points per game, and a great scorer in Middleton, the Bucks have a young core who can cause problems for many teams around the association. If this summer, the trades, the signings are in their favor the Bucks can be a threat in the eastern conference in the upcoming years.
Moreover, the Bucks this summer have to focus on the offensive part, the Greek Freak has to find his shot, has to work on getting even stronger, knocking down important free throws, open shots, while Jabari Parker, has to get back healthy and stronger as ever, and the front office of the Bucks has to make some important changes and decisions in the point guard and the shooting guard positions, surrounding Jabari and Giannis with shooters. If they can do that, in my opinion, the Bucks in three years could absolutely be the face of the NBA and can become a huge threat in the eastern conference, challenging the Cavaliers, possibly the Sixers and the rest of the conference. Above all, yesterday’s game showed how the Bucks when being down 25 points with 16 minutes to go, did not give up, as they rallied back, and took the lead 82-80. The exceptional coaching of Jason Kidd, along with the effort of the young Bucks, but also the championship experience of Jason Terry and Mathew Dellevadova, was what sparked the comeback, that ended up eventually being short. However, this team with these changes and improvements can make a lot of noise in the eastern conference starting from the following season.
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