NBA news: With the buzz from NBA free agency now dying down, the roster for the majority of the teams in the NBA has shaped up. At this point, we all have a good idea of what each side will be able to bring to the table for the upcoming season.
If you ask former NBA champ turned ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, he is of the firm belief that the Milwaukee Bucks will be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the 2023-24 NBA title.
NBA News: Kendrick Perkins Has High Hopes for Bucks This Season
Perkins had a list of Top 3 contenders for next season’s crown. He started off with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. According to Big Perk, the Bucks had a tremendous offseason as they look to bounce back from their ultimately disappointing 2022-23 campaign:
“I’m going with the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo,” Perkins said. “Think about it: they brought back their core group in free agency, being able to re-sign Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton. Also, we know what Bobby Portis is going to bring to the table. … Jrue Holiday is gonna come back with a vengeance for the simple fact (that) he gotta remember what Jimmy Butler did to him last postseason.”
.@KendrickPerkins names his top 3 title contenders for the NBA season 👀 🏆 pic.twitter.com/NCscACZyf9
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 24, 2023
This is still the same core that won the chip in 2021, and now that they’re healthy, Kendrick Perkins believes that the Bucks are going to be a real threat, if not the biggest threat to the title this coming season.
NBA News: Suns, Nuggets Round Out Kendrick Perkins’ Top 3 Contenders for 2023-24
Big Perk isn’t sleeping on the Phoenix Suns, though. After acquiring Bradley Beal in a blockbuster offseason trade, the Suns have had their fair share of criticism for having a totally unbalanced roster. Perkins is not buying any of this nonsense:
“Also, I’m looking at the Phoenix Suns,” he said. “I don’t give a damn how many people are talking about how top-heavy they are. So what? They have three of the most efficient, prolific scorers in the game on one team.”
Finally, Perkins talked up Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. At this point, the ESPN broadcaster has no intention whatsoever of overlooking the Nuggets and their quest to defend their crown:
“I would not disrespect the defending champs,” Perkins said. “… [Nikola Jokic] is still a problem when it comes to getting buckets. Jamal Murray had a season under him where he looked great in the postseason. He’s finally, finally healthy. I’mma be looking at him to raise his caliber play up to superstar status.”
Love him or hate him, Kendrick Perkins actually has a pretty formidable list here. Naturally, some fans won’t be happy with the fact that Big Perk refused to include their team on his list, but all in all, you have to say that this is a sound Top 3.
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