Can the Bucks make it to the Eastern Conference Final?

Maybe It’s Time

The Celtics fall to 0-2, after their loss to the Bucks Wednesday night. The Celtics have had a rough start to their season; losing Gordon Hayward; and to start the season on back to back losses. However the Bucks did look great against the Celtics; behind the Greek Freak. Giannis Antetokounmpo led his young Bucks team with 37 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists; all while shooting 57% from the floor on Wednesday. After a very busy offseason the Celtics should've blown by the Bucks; but it is too early. Never to early to jump to conclusion; however the NBA is played in America; and jumping to conclusions is our past time. The Celtics are going to struggle early. It is time however for someone else to start contending with the Cavalries in the East; not named the Boston Celtics?  

Gordon Hayward Impact

The first move the Celtics did this offseason; was signing Gordon Hayward. This offseason the Celtics signed Hayward to a 4 year / $127,829,970; a very massive contract to someone who hasn’t even been to in Conference Final; but that’s the NBA for you. However with the acquiring of  Jayson Tatum from Duke and Irving from the surprise trade from Cleveland. The Celtics looked like it was the Cavs Celtics once again in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.  This prediction quickly had questions swarming around it. Not even half of the 1st quarter went by for minds to change. At the 6 minute 35 second mark of the 1st. Gordon Hayward goes down with a very clear leg/ankle injury. At first the injury looked like it could be season ending; giving the Cavs an easy opening night win; and cake walk to the Finals. Should of been teammate Isaiah Thomas came out for support for Hayward saying on Twitter “Woke up this morning praying hard for my guy @gordonhayward ... Minor setback for a MAJOR comeback my brotha, all love from me! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾”  So did other NBA players around the league. Nice to see that someone’s health is still more important than the game. However there is no time table on Hayward’s return since he does need surgery says Celtics coach Brad Stevens. Hayward was a big part of the Celtics plan this season. Posting last season 21.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.5 APG, shooting 84% from the three throw line; and 47% shooting from the field. The Celtics are in bad spot without Hayward since now they have no small forward to slow down Lebron James; not stop because their is no such thing; but able to keep up.

Irving Unproven Alone

Kyrie Irving also is an unproven superstar. We do not know how he would play without the greatest playmaker in the world in Lebron James. Last season when Lebron was on the court in the Finals against the Warriors. The Cavs only got outscored by 3; when he was off it was 28. Unless Irving was off the court every minute James was; he did not play too well to win without Lebron James. On Tuesday night after the injury the Celtics did manage to come back; and Irving played great; he had 22 PTS, 4 RB, 10 AST, while shooting 47% from the field. Young prospect Jaylee Brown posted 25 points leading Celtics scorer; which was great for the Celtics to see. A loss though is still a loss if it's 3 or 45 it's a loss. Can Irving lead this young Celtics team? He has no problem taking the ball from the young guys which is good. Last season Irving was in the top 20 for touches per game with 79; and top 15 for time of possession with 6.4 seconds out of the 24 second shot clock. Can he lead this young Celtics team; without a proven playmaker? Let’s not forget he is Boston with no real team chemistry. It takes superstar teams like the James Heat, Warriors, Cavs to gel. Especially with this young group it may take time for them to come together. With the pressure in playing in a “Real sports city.” like Boston there comes a lot of pressure. When your basketball team has 17 championship you expect something out of them every year; and those Boston fans expect nothing different this year. Only time can tell but Irving has to come up big this season for the Celtics to play well and contend with the Cavalries.

The Bucks are Young

Could it be the Milwaukee Bucks time to show they are here to stay? The win against the Celtics on Wednesday was a step in the right direction. The Bucks are looked at as a team that will shine in future. People see them as the Timberwolves of the East; enough talent to contend by not to win a chip or even be in the Conference Finals. The Bucks are a tough out in the East. However they could make a run at the Cavs instead of the Celtics; especially with the injury to Hayward; and questions surrounding Irving and that young team.

First off the Bucks have one of the youngest lineup in the league. Thon Maker being the

youngest at 20 years of age; and Khris Middleton the oldest in the starting lineup at 26 years old. They have nothing to lose to chase the Celtics. The Bucks haven't been a relevant squad in years; and they can be this year's young talent team ready to contend. The Bucks have the most time with such a young starting lineup in the East. This is including more future star power not just including Antetokounmpo. Malcolm Brogdon is coming off his Rookie of the Year 2016-2017 campaign. Where he averaged 19 PPG, 4 APG, 2.8RPG, while shooting 45% from the field. Not even including the always injured but effective when playing Jabari Parker. If the Bucks can  Antetokounmpo another good player or star they could be destined for the conference final.

Star Power

This is all without talking about maybe the next face of the NBA Giannis Antetokounmpo. Who was the Bucks biggest steal of the 2013 NBA Draft. 14 teams picks went by without someone picking up Antetokounmpo. The Bucks picked him up and never looked back. Kevin Durant has said he is the “Next Lebron James.” He can really prove that with another superstar year; and why can’t he? He has all the tools. Last season Antetokounmpo made history not just with his; 22.9 PPG, 5.4 APG, 8.8 RPG, and shooting 52% from the field. He was in the top 20 in PPG, APG, RPG, SPG, BPG, and average Field Goal percentage. This was the first time this has ever been done. He can literally do anything with 6’ 11” height and 7 foot wingspan. He’s got loyalty to this team as well’ he’s willing to go all in on the Bucks. He signed just last offseason a 4 year 100 million dollar deal. Also tweeted out this offseason that “Loyalty is in my DNA.” Which had to get Bucks fans feeling good; they now have their superstar for the future. He can be the next Lebron James. With a run to the the Eastern Conference Finals he can surely make that case. Like the 2006-2007 Cavs not suppose to be there; and you trying to tell me Brogdon isn’t better than Larry Hughes who Lebron James had in his starting 5. Taking out the high hope Celtics making a point that they are not the Cavs; I’m not Lebron who you never know if he is going to leave. Giannis Antetokounmpo loves the Bucks; and I would bet would never want anything more but to bring some excitement back to this city of Milwaukee with a knock off the Boston Celtics.

By
Matthew Doherty