It seems like just last week we were watching the Lakers battle the Heat in the Orlando bubble. Less than 12 months later, two new squads are ready to duke it out to call themselves the new NBA champions. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night to secure a date with the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.
The Suns won both regular-season games against the Bucks, each by a margin of just one point. In the playoffs, Phoenix defeated the defending champion Lakers, MVP Jokic’s Nuggets, and the Kawhi-less Clippers en route to their first finals appearance since 1993.
Antarctica Records Its Highest Temperature Ever
Chris Paul’s opportunity to redefine his legacy is definitely the most eye-catching storyline. The 16-year veteran had never made it past the second round of the playoffs prior to this season. Already a lock for the Hall of Fame, Paul has the chance to cement himself as one of the top three point guards in NBA history. He’s provided an edge of grit and leadership that the Suns had been lacking since the Steve Nash days.
But Phoenix has more than one reason to be excited. Paul’s impact on young stars Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton cannot be overstated. Both have played more aggressively and confidently this season than ever before. While Chris Paul sees a potential cherry on top of a brilliant career, Booker and Ayton see the chance to start the next great NBA dynasty. I know it’s ridiculous to throw out Shaq and Kobe comparisons, but trust me when I say this won’t be the last time we see Booker and Ayton in the finals together.
One of the main themes of this year’s finals is inexperience. Suns’ forward Jae Crowder is the lone player from either team who has played in an NBA Finals before. With plenty of fresh faces eager to make a name for themselves, this is sure to be one of the more exciting matchups of the past several years.
For the Bucks, their fate will largely be determined by the health of 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks were able to close out the Hawks despite not having Giannis for the final three games due to a hyperextended left knee. Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez stepped up big time in Games 5 and 6, but they’ll need the Greek Freak to beat this Suns team.
KAYPAIGE Takes Home The Gold with Latest Single “CREW”
Confidence in the Bucks has not been particularly high across the sport. Many believe they would not have defeated the Brooklyn Nets in the second round had James Harden and Kyrie Irving not been injured. Even the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a former Buck himself, expressed doubt that this Bucks team could win a championship. Nevertheless, they’re one of the two teams remaining. And win or lose, nobody will talk about the Nets’ injuries. The same way nobody talks about the injuries to Kyrie and Kevin Love that kept Cleveland from beating Golden State in 2015. Or any of the other countless injuries that affect every team every season. The only thing people remember is who’s holding the trophy.
And regardless of who raises the trophy, this matchup will serve as a christening for a new era of NBA stars. This is the first NBA Finals without Lebron James or Steph Curry since 2010. To expand, it’s also the first NBA Finals without LeBron, Steph, Kobe, Dirk, or Tim Duncan since 1998. From Booker and Giannis to Trae Young and Donovan Mitchell, young players dominated these playoffs. It’s sad that the era of LeBron, Steph, and KD might be over, but the NBA is definitely in good hands for the future.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off on Tuesday at 6:00PM PST on ABC. Let us know your prediction in the comments section below! For more hoops news from Wavypack, check out USA Basketball’s 2021 Olympic roster.
Wavypicks* — (if Giannis doesn’t play) Suns in 6, (if Giannis does play) Suns in 7
