More often than not, the duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard may potentially be enough to warrant a deep playoff run for the Milwaukee Bucks. But due to an early exit in the postseason earlier this year, almost everyone has been undervaluing the team for all the wrong reasons.
The Bucks, featuring stars the pairing of Antetokounmpo and Lillard, are currently facing scrutiny regarding their potential for the upcoming NBA season. Despite their talent, injuries have plagued the team, particularly affecting the Greek Freak and Khris Middleton, which has led analysts to question their standing in the Eastern Conference.
As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches, the Bucks are surprisingly overlooked by analysts and fans alike. Recent projections place them fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 49-33 record, and their odds to win the NBA Finals rank them eighth. Despite these predictions, the Bucks have a strong foundation with stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Antetokounmpo had a historic season, becoming the first player to average over 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists while shooting above 60%. Lillard, after a tumultuous offseason, is ready to reclaim his form. Khris Middleton, often the unsung hero, showcased his skills during the playoffs and remains a crucial asset.
NBA Insider Brian Windhorst Says Milwaukee Bucks Are Being Undervalued
Just recently, NBA insider Brian Windhorst said that the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led team is being undervalued by fans and analysts like before the new NBA season. His claim can be seen in an article written by Prateek Singh for The Sports Rush.
“Despite acknowledging their weaknesses, he said that there’s a lot of potential in that team and most of the things that went wrong for them last season had nothing to do with their quality.
He said, “I really think that the Bucks are being undervalued. Not saying they should be the favorites… Giannis has been hurt in the playoffs and Dame last year, by his own admission, was out of his element. He openly has been saying that the transition was bigger than he thought. I think it’s reasonable to think that that pairing will work better.”
While he doesn’t suggest they should be the favorites, he believes the duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard has the potential to improve as they adjust to playing together. Lillard, who had to adapt to a different role after joining the team, is expected to find his footing as the season progresses.
With a mixed bag of talent and challenges, the Bucks will need to prove their worth in the upcoming season. The hope is that they can address these concerns and regain their status as serious title contenders, silencing critics like Bontemps in the process. The coming months will be crucial for demonstrating their potential and overcoming past setbacks.
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