Milwaukee Bucks — BASKETBALLIN . NET

The 2020-21 Milwaukee Bucks season can be defined by the fact that the Bucks are NBA Champions.

What did we learn?

Giannis rose to the top on the biggest stage.

The two-time MVP showed the world exactly why he is just that, putting together one of the most complete and dominant Finals performances EVER.

It had been 50 years since Milwaukee’s last chip, and Giannis, their homegrown son by way of Greece, secured the title by dropping a 50-piece at home, in front of a raucous crowd at the Fiserv Forum and 65,000+ outside the arena in the Deer District. (The Giannis Grove, did that catch on yet?)

There was The Block on Ayton’s oop to seal Game 4, and there was The Oop from Holiday to clinch Game 5.

Two signature legendary plays in back-to-back Finals games, and then he dropped 50 to get his first Larry OB.

Legends rise to the top when it matters most and Giannis cemented himself in NBA history no matter what happens the rest of the way. The dude is only 26 years old! Not only is it possible that he’s just getting started, but it’s in the cards that he can still get a lot better, developing his jump shot and making his free throws consistently, just like he did in Game 6 when it mattered most.

The Greek Freak was the sun of everything the Bucks did on offense and defense, but he did have help.

Let the record show that Khris Middleton was the one who hit the back-breaker, the series-clinching dagger to put the final nail in the Suns coffin. Middleton’s inconsistencies were still present in the playoffs, sure, but just like Giannis, he was there for it when the Bucks needed him most. It was the same Middleton script: some measly performances followed by some absolutely terrific ones. In the nine games this postseason that Middleton scored 26 or more points, the Bucks went 8-1.

The Bucks third star, the newest member acquired via trade for a bevy of draft picks, also brought his best stuff at the most important times. Even if Jrue Holiday’s offense wasn’t always there, you could bet your sweet ass that defensively, he was going to make things a living hell for whoever he was guarding. In the eight games this postseason that Holiday scored 20 or more points, the Bucks went 7-1.

Pat Connaughton hit some HUGE 3’s. Not at the end of Game 1 of the East Finals against the Hawks, though, but props to him for not letting that wicked airball affect him.

Bobby Portis was the crazy eyes tough guy that we said the Bucks needed in the playoffs, along with P.J. Tucker who brought the required fortitude to endure.

Brook Lopez had that flurry in Game 6 and don’t forget his 33 points in Game 5 against the Hawks without Giannis. (Everybody stepped up that game: Middleton 26 points, Holiday 25, and Portis 22.)

It took him a while, a long while, but Coach Bud made the necessary adjustments to give the Bucks the best chance to win in the end. Better late than never.

This season will always be remembered for the protocols and the injuries — oh, the injuries — but everyone had to deal with unideal circumstances. And as aforementioned in our Suns review, you can only play the competition in front of you. Luck has long been one of the most important pieces on the way to a chip, especially when it relates to injuries.

That’s just the nature of this game.

Every season has its own version of footnotes / asterisks here or there, and even though this season might have had more and bigger ones than most, the Bucks are the 2020-21 NBA Champions.

Now, forever, and always.

The Prophecy was fulfilled: BUCKS IN 6.

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Did our preseason Over/Under prediction hit?

Over 49.5 wins. Between Giannis and Coach Bud’s regular season track record, this feels like another Pure Lock.

Bucks 2020-21 Record: (46-26)

Nope, our preseason Over/Under prediction did not hit.

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What’s Next?

Through a trade with the Pacers, the Bucks landed the very last pick of the draft last night at #60 and selected Georgios Kalaitzakis from… Greece! It was their second pick of the second round as they sent their original pick at #31 to Indiana for picks at #54 — used to take Sandro Mamukelashvili from Seton Hall — and #60, in addition to two future second-rounders.
Get Donte DiVincenzo healthy. They didn’t even have The Big Ragu, who only played in the first three games of the Bucks playoff run, tearing a ligament in his ankle that required surgery. DiVincenzo is also due for a rookie extension.
Milwaukee might have dodged this luxury tax this season, but next season some big bills will be due. ($39 milly for Giannis and $30 mil for Holiday.)
The Bucks have a target on their back now, and the East will only get stronger.
Make sure KD keeps wearing shoes a size too big.