Power Ranking 8 teams under more or less pressure than the Miami Heat to win a championship
By Brennan Sims
2. Milwaukee Bucks
42-24
3.1 NetRtg
After firing Adrian Griffen, Doc Rivers has led the Bucks to a 10-10 record. That's nothing to write home about, but their defensive backbone is returning. The 12th-ranked defense in that span -- this is how Giannis and the Bucks get back to the promised land.
Damian Lillard and Giannis have been spamming pick-and-rolls lately. This is a play NBA fans imagined would decimate the league in the off-season. It takes time to build chemistry. Giannis has been a ball handler most of his life; he needs time to transition into a brick-wall pick-setter.
Because this is the duo's first year together, there is not nail-biting pressure on them. Of course, the Bucks want a 2021 deja vu, but a loss before the Finals wouldn't put Dame on the move like it may for Cleveland. If that's the case, why are the Bucks under more pressure than the Cavs?
Talent usually prevails in the NBA. Milwaukee is home to two of the Top 75 All-Time players and has a solid infrastructure around it. This team isn't Giannis, Dame and some scrubs. They are expected to go far because of said talent.
There's a legitimate stretch big on the roster in Brook Lopez, a Sixth Man of the Year candidate in Bobby Portis, and the ghost of Khris Middleton is up there somewhere. Hopefully, he's healthy for a playoff run.
Head coach Doc Rivers is constantly under pressure due to his faulty playoff history. If this is the year he finally makes the Finals again, he may have to go through an All-Time team.