Milwaukee Bucks
2017-18 record: 44-38
2017-18 season series: 2-2
2018-19 advantage: Sixers
I, for one, am bullish on the Bucks’ potential this season. Mike Budenholzer is an elite coach, something Milwaukee has never had during the Giannis Antetokounmpo era. The Greek Freak is about to be unleashed in new and unprecedented ways.
With that comes MVP predictions for Giannis, something that seems very possible. It will also bring wins, with Milwaukee posing the biggest threat to Philly’s success in the Eastern Conference outside Boston and Toronto. The Bucks can be a top-three seed.
In addition to Giannis, Khris Middleton will be entering a contract year with All-Star aspirations. Brook Lopez is an underrated get, bringing some much-needed shooting to the center position. The Bucks will be a legitimately difficult matchup for most teams.
The Sixers still hold the advantage on both ends, but it’s slimmer than it was last season. Milwaukee will compete and Antetokounmpo is an elite talent. If things break his way, he might be the East’s best player.