Who could have predicted that the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks would face off in this year's Playoff Finals? Let's go back together on this end of the season a little special in the NBA and try to see who will have the advantage in these 2021 Finals.
Because yes, we were entitled to a rather atypical end of the season, unfortunately marked by many injuries. And so, when we review the list of players concerned, the least we can say is that fate has fallen on the best players in recent months.
On the Western Conference side, the excellent Jamal Murray injured his knee 18 games before the start of the playoffs, shattering title dreams for Denver where Jamal and his friend Jokic (regular season MVP by the way this year), form one of the best duos in the League. So, even if the Denver collective wins in the first round against Portland carried by a stratospheric Damian Lillard on the verge of even going for the record of points scored in the playoffs in a game held by a certain MJ, Denver will be swept 4-0 then by Phoenix.
Donovan Mitchell, another rising NBA Superstar who faced Jamal last year in one of the most epic duels in playoff history, with performances of more than 40 points per game on the series by both players, was also injured. Already injured in the ankle earlier in the season, he still played the series against the Clippers but aggravated his injury again in Game 3. As a result, the very good Jazz squad already deprived of the contribution of their point guard Mike Conley who was going to return himself from injury, is also orphaned by its Star Player. Even if he remains on the floor injured, his effectiveness is much less good and prevents Utah from passing against the Clippers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1RkQV7KFw4
Moreover, the defending champions, the Lakers, are not spared by this scourge. Before the start of the playoffs, Lebron had damaged his ankle, forcing him to miss 26 of the last 30 games. And although he seemed to have recovered in time to go for a championship ring, it was realized that the King was not at his best, and that his injury still limited him physically in his explosiveness, relaxation and acceleration in the first round against Phoenix. So in addition, when Anthony Davis the other major player of the team injured his leg in Game 4, the Lakers found themselves at the mercy of the Suns collective led by Chris Paul and Devin Booker. Sad to see that among the defending champions, no player has been able to raise his level of play to compensate for this cruel lack of offensive and defensive contribution for the team.
And finally, still in Los Angeles but on the Clippers side this time, Kawhi Leonard, also the centerpiece of the Californian squad injured his knee in Game 5 against the Jazz which prevented him from playing in the conference finals against the Suns. An injury again cruel for a team that really had the cards in hand to go for a title. Despite the performances of Paul George, the offensive contribution of Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris and Terance Mann who even came out a game with more than 40 points in the series, the Clippers lost.
On the Eastern Conference side, the infirmary is also well filled to the great regret of orange ball fans who want only one thing, to see the best teams compete at their best. The Celtics, even if their chances were slim to hang a result against the Nets in the first round, are deprived of their winger Jaylen Brown hit on the wrist. But unfortunately for the Brooklyn Nets, they are the ones who will be victims of the biggest blow of these playoffs. Because we remember, this year the Brooklyn roster has something to scare: Kyrie Irving at the lead, James Harden to support him, a group of good friends answering the names of DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin in charge of bringing a little virility under the circle, a big trigger 3 points named Joe Harris, a quality role player like Jeff Green. Not to mention a small detail of 2.06m: a certain Kevin Durant.
We can support a different team than the Nets this season, but it saddens us to see Harden and Irving both injured in the series against their toughest opponent in the East, the Bucks. Hard blow for Brooklyn who relies almost essentially on Durant to ensure the scoring and keep them alive in the series. But KD is expected at the turn in every game, he often plays the entire 48 minutes with defensive pressure focused on him, despite fatigue and defenders who take turns to slow him down, Durantula sends two games to almost 50 points refusing elimination until an anthology Game 7 where it is the guys of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton who win and go to the Conference Finals against Atlanta.
The Hawks narrowly qualified against Philadelphia, which also nearly lost its Star Player in Joel Embiid with a knee injury. As a result, the final in the East will go in 6 games, and we are not yet at the end of our troubles with injuries. Indeed, it is simply the best players of each team who will get hurt. Trae Young, the point guard and the Hawks scoring machine will make his ankle by falling on a referee. And Giannis, in an action towards the basket against Clint Capela gets a big scare in the knee. The slow-motion of the action is not nice to see, so much so that we are surprised that the ligaments of the Greek player were not more seriously affected. So, in the middle of the series, the two teams face each other without their respective leader, but in this game, the Bucks squad led by his lieutenant Khris Middleton who will not hesitate to plant 38 points in the absence of Giannis to show that there is still a sheriff in town, will get the better of the Hawks who without Trae Young, have trouble organizing their attack and beyond that, have a lot of waste in their game and struggle to defend.
Like what, there are beautiful people in the infirmary this year! A situation that worries the staff of the teams, the fans and the leaders of the League. On average and compared to previous seasons, we do not notice significantly more injuries, but unquestionably, the 72 regular season games played in a reduced schedule because of the pandemic have had an impact on the state of fatigue of players with the most playing time and whose mission is to win a playoff spot. It is to wonder if it is the best team that will win this year or the one that has best preserved its squad in shape.
As proof, if we go back for a moment to our finalists in the West, the Phoenix Suns, they almost lost the "point god" Chris Paul because of a shoulder pain awakened in the series against the Lakers. And what about Devin Booker undoubtedly their best offensive weapon who found himself facing a certain Pat Berveley who broke his nose without purpose, finally without doing Pat Beverley on purpose. Luckily the little guys from Arizona are tough guys. If we jostle them, it even makes them dangerous! Thus, CP3 took over from his friend Book so that he could rest his nose a little, planting 41 points in the last game against the Clippers. And Devin just had to adapt to wearing a protective mask to regain effectiveness in the shoot. Everything seems to be going!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLigNSe-hIM
NBA FINALS 2021: SUNS vs BUCKS
Unexpected Finals, but what to expect now?
When the two teams faced each other in the regular season, the Suns won both times but literally one possession apart. They excelled in their fast-paced Pick'n Roll play between Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Big Man Deandre Ayton that the Bucks struggled to defend. On the other hand, Phoenix did not have a defensive response to the relentless assaults of Giannis who had scored 47 and 33 points!
But here Antetokounmpo is uncertain because of his knee, and it must be said that without their MVP of 2.11 m for 2.21m wingspan and no less than 110 kg at the weigh-in, it is not quite the same team. But hey, even if he came back, it would be amazing if he was able to fully exploit his full athletic potential. To have a chance to win 4 games and the NBA championship in these finals, Khris Middleton will have to be imperial. We know that he can set fire to a defense by his shooting quality but it will still be necessary that he manages to achieve this kind of performance more regularly. Note also the effectiveness of the 2.13m pivot Brook Lopez both in defense and attack that will be decisive, so effective until then that it is surprising that his teammates have sometimes not solicited him more in attack. Jrue Holiday, the starting point guard to show that he can be counted on to attack the circle and create space for his teammates. Bobby Portis with his 2.08m, who replaced Giannis at the position of Strong winger also did a great job, remains to be seen if he can continue against Phoenix.
Opposite, the strength of the Suns is their two centerpieces CP3 and Booker. These two who in addition to being very good are very clever, know how to organize the attack wonderfully and react to the different defensive systems that can be opposed to them. It will take defensive intensity and effort on the Bucks side to counter the Phoenix backs who are perfectly able to create mismatches on systems with screens. We remind you that Chris Paul, a true veteran of the League, has been fighting in the West for 16 years to get an entry ticket to the Finals and now that it's done, it's sure that he will give everything he has on each game! Devin Booker, like any self-respecting scorer, scares opposing defenses. Except that he is still a level still above, we recall that this is simply the youngest player in the history of this sport to have achieved the feat of scoring 70 points in a game! There is only one Kobe Bryant who has done better in the modern history of the NBA. A formidable line of backs that will have to be more efficient than ever to win its 4 games.
Then the other key for Phoenix will be their pivot and young rookie Deandre Ayton. His duel with Lopez will be decisive for his team. It should make sparks under the circle because the young man although talented and powerful will cross a Brook Lopez who defensively has not been too much in the mood to be scored on lately.
In short, in Giannis' absence, the Bucks still have a physical advantage over the Suns, but the consistency of a Middleton at his best on offense will be essential to win. He would probably have to play several games beyond 30 points.
The Suns may be less impressive athletically, but if they can impose their rhythm on offense thanks to their screen play on the ball carrier, they will give a hard time to Milwaukee who has trouble defending on the Pick'n Roll.
In any case it promises to be very tight between the two formations even if they were unexpected at this level of the competition. On the other hand, they know full well that they may not have a chance to win the title anytime soon so it promises a show! Let's just hope the curse of injuries ends during the Finals!
