The highly expressive Milwaukee Bucks point guard Patrick Beverley is one never to hold his tongue on his thoughts. Patrick Beverley shared his thoughts on the hot Oklahoma City basketball team, which has been top 3 in the Western Conference for most of the year.
Patrick Beverly Isn’t Fond of the Young Thunder Squad
Patrick Beverley went on a rant about the Thunder during an episode of the Pat Bev Pod, which he hosts with Adam Ferrone. He described an interaction he had during a game on March 24th with Oklahoma City’s star guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Beverley said, “They’re forcing you to step left and making you step back. You know you have to have a counter for that.” To Beverley’s recollection, SGA stated, “Alright, I got y’all. I’ll see y’all in June,” hinting at meeting the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals. Beverley fired back, “Nah, y’all ain’t going to make it.”
Ferrone asked Bev why Oklahoma City wouldn’t make the finals, and he said they’re too young. He also stated that it would be really hard for them to defeat the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets.
SGA and Beverley were former teammates during SGA’s rookie year with the Los Angeles Clippers. In their time together, they made a playoff appearance and took the Golden State Warriors to six games in an opening round.
Can We See A Milwaukee Bucks & Oklahoma City Thunder Finals?
It’s very possible that we could see a Milwaukee and Oklahoma City finals. Beverley’s “too young” statement is usually true. Time and time again, teams can be too young to do well in the regular season, let alone the playoffs.
Here are several examples: The Charlotte Hornets have great potential but lack veteran leadership and overall playoff experience. The Sacramento Kings were one of the hottest teams last season but blew a playoff series lead against the Golden State Warriors. Some people drew the Kings’ loss to inexperience in the playoffs as it was the Kings’ first playoff appearance since 2005.
If a Milwaukee and Oklahoma City finals happen, it’s possible that the Bucks can win it in five games. Milwaukee has that championship DNA that the Thunder doesn’t have. Also, most of Oklahoma City’s teams don’t have playoff experience. Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Gordon Hayward, Bismack Bioymbo, and Mike Muscala have playoff experience. SGA is also the oldest player on their usual starting line-up.
Championship DNA aside, Milwaukee is a stronger team. Aside from Chet’s height, Brook Lopez could use his old-man strength and post-playmaking experience to outmuscle and outsmart the red-shirt rookie. Giannis can use his brute strength to easily push through Jalen Williams, Chet, and Lu Dort. It can be a battle of speed and athleticism versus strength and IQ.
If it happens, Bucks in five.