I can’t believe we’re finally here! Here’s an NBA Finals preview!
I don’t think any of you guys predicted THIS to be your NBA Finals.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Quinn Harris/Getty Images.)
It is the Phoenix Suns versus the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals.
Maybe at some point, the Bucks (who have two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo) were going to make the Finals. Two years ago, they were up, 2-0, against the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals before the Raptors won four in a row. Last season in the bubble, the Miami Heat upset them in the East semifinals.
This year, I thought they were going a bit under the radar because the talks were about Philly or Brooklyn making it. The Bucks beat Brooklyn in the East semis in an epic 7-gamer. Philly got upset by the Atlanta Hawks in the other bracket. The Bucks then took care of business against Atlanta. Milwaukee is in their first NBA Finals since 1974.
The Western Conference is ALWAYS tough. But did we ever think the Phoenix Suns were going to be back here in 2021? Nope. They haven’t been in the playoffs since Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire fell to the Lakers in the 2010 Western Conference Finals. Even when they drafted Devin Booker in 2015, there were no signs that the Suns were going to get somewhere.
2015-16: 23-59
2016-17: 24-58
2017-18: 21-61
2018-19: 19-63
It was unfair but people were saying Booker was just an empty stats kind of guy. And it sucks to say he was bad (advanced stats would say he was, too) but he was really the only guy doing ANYTHING for that team. Even when they drafted Deandre Ayton with the #1 pick in 2018.
In 2019-20, they were doing a little better at 26-39 before the pandemic hit. The Suns were still invited to the bubble because they were within 6 games of the 8th spot. Coach Monty Williams then put the Suns to work.
Phoenix went 8-0 in the bubble and people were aghast that they didn’t qualify for the postseason. Suddenly, there might be some foundation there for the Suns. General Manager James Jones acquired Chris Paul and Jae Crowder and they had themselves an incredible season. They were #2 in the West. Then they took care of the defending champion Lakers, swept the Denver Nuggets, and got rid of the Clippers. People will say all the teams they went against had major injuries but the Suns haven’t had great luck in the last 11 years so it’s about time THEY got a break. Besides, if they didn’t win, the Suns would get laughed at for not doing what they’re supposed to.
So we’re here. It’s the Suns against the Bucks. In the regular season, Phoenix won both match-ups… by a single point each.
Obviously, a huge factor here is the health of Giannis Antetokounmpo. He didn’t play in Games 5 and 6 against the Hawks but yet the Bucks got the job done. When pressed, Khris Middleton seems to come through when Milwaukee needed him the most. Even last year, Middleton scored 36 points to help the Bucks avoid a sweep against the Heat. He’s going to have to come up bigger since Giannis, even if he plays, won’t be 100 percent.
Jrue Holiday was brought in to be a steady presence on both ends of the floor. He hasn’t shot the ball well this postseason but he’s also had big moments in the playoffs, including the fourth quarter of Game 7 against the Nets. Trying to stop either Chris Paul or Devin Booker is going to be a task but Holiday is up for it.
Brook Lopez has been big inside the post. We know what he’s still capable of (witness Game 5 against the Hawks). Bobby Portis was big against Atlanta. Bryn Forbes can make those threes. Pat Connaughton does the little things and we know P.J. Tucker is a 3-and-D dream. What a midseason pick-up he has been.
On the other side, Devin Booker is still the man. Booker is such an explosive scorer and is a very good second playmaker for the Suns. Chris Paul is obviously the primary playmaker and, even today, he is such a maestro on the offense.
Deandre Ayton has shown he can keep up with the bigs. He may be an old-school big but he’s also mobile enough to run the floor and pick up perimeter players. Mikal Bridges has been incredible on both ends of the floor. Jae Crowder is there for the dirty work but his offense is a huge welcome for the Suns.
Off the bench, Cameron Payne has become a legit point guard; he scored 29 against the Clippers in Game 2 when CP3 was out. Cameron Johnson has been superb from the outside. Torrey Craig is scrappy and Dario Saric has also provided some offense when he gets on the floor.
Both teams were in the Top 10 on both ends of the floor in the regular season. Both teams can put up buckets in a hurry and both teams can stifle the other. They each have their stars. They both have players that will do the dirty work. On paper, it seems pretty even.
BUT again, we have the health of Giannis Antetokounmpo. If he can be 85-90 percent healthy, then the Bucks can still tear it up.
Still, I don’t think we’ve seen a team like Phoenix play off the fans’ support for this season. And they have the home court advantage. Plus they seem more disciplined while the Bucks, who are filled with more grizzled veterans, fall into terrible habits to the point fans call for Coach Mike Budenholzer‘s head during the games.
So it all factors into me saying…
PREDICTION: SUNS IN 6.
I mean, at least, we have a fresh NBA Finals! That much I love.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.