The Bucks have locked up the best record in the entire NBA and now are awaiting their first round opponent. The team will face off against one of these four teams, the Bulls, Hawks, Heat, or Raptors. Those teams will battle it out in a play-in tournament this upcoming week to determine the seeding.
With the playoffs beginning shortly, fans of the Bucks know that the most important player for this team to win a championship again is no doubly the 2021 NBA Finals MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo. But, to achieve the climb to the promise land once again, who is the next most important player that needs to play exceptional for the Bucks to win?
Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton would be the next obvious answers right? Holiday is playing the best he has ever played as a Buck right now and Middleton has had a shaky injury-riddled season this year, which does cause some concern. Holiday or Middleton performing exceptional in a playoff game is going to help win games. But, we know that they have the ability to perform that way regardless.
With the way this season has shaped to be, the team has been winning games more than anyone in the entire NBA without Middleton playing at a high level! Now, we all know the playoffs are a different beast for everybody involved, but, if this key player can play to his full potential which he has been all season, we do not need Middleton to pull out a 40-piece to win a close game in the playoffs.
This player I am referring to leaves a big splash down a mountain when he plays. That is no one other than, Brook Lopez.
Last season the biggest issue why I believe the Bucks were not as consistent in the playoffs was not only Middleton missing games but Lopez was not himself either. Lopez was just coming off major back surgery right before the playoffs and that will weigh on a guy who is seven foot and in his mid 30s.
Lopez has been a force on both ends of the floor this season, putting up a remarkable 2.5 blocks a game and 25; 20 point games this season! Talk about a player who provides at both ends of the floor.
Sometimes in the playoffs it seemed when Middleton would have an off game we would tend to lose, but if Lopez can do what he has been all season, we should feel confident as fans. The team is destined to make a deep playoff run, assuming Giannis and Holiday set the same tone that they always do.
Once Brook Lopez gets going in a game, you better punch your tickets to Disney World and enjoy the ride. The opponent will not enjoy that ride but the city of Milwaukee will be jumping for joy.
NBA Playoffs officially begin on Saturday April 15th.
