Hard not to look ahead to a LeBron James-Giannis Antetokounmpo matchup
Bucks will have trouble with Toronto in first round of playoffs.
As the playoff picture was becoming clear, I started writing how disappointed I was the Milwaukee Bucks are one the same side of the bracket as the Cleveland Cavs.
It’s wishful thinking, because Milwaukee has to get by the Toronto Raptors first. Game 1 starts at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Listen on WKTY 96.7 FM/580 AM.
If the Bucks can somehow pull off that miracle, however, a LeBron James-Giannis Antetokounmpo matchup in Round 2 might be the NBA’s most intriguing matchup of the entire playoffs – yes, the entire playoffs.
No point in talking about it beyond that, however.
Toronto was 3-1 against Milwaukee this season. The one win came when Kyle Lowry was out. And, Lowry isn’t out anymore. Looking past Toronto to Cleveland is silly.
The only difference in the other three losses to Toronto was that Milwaukee had Jabari Parker, not Khris Middleton. Perhaps Middleton provides a better matchup against the Raptors but it’s hard to say.
You could also argue that Malcolm Brogdon has more experience now, because neither he nor Matthew Dellavedova have been any good against Lowry.
The Bucks also have no answer for center Jonas Valanciunas, as stupid as that sounds. Greg Monroe has averaged 18.5 minutes, 7.3 points, 5 rebounds against Toronto.
The Raptors also have a new toy in Serge Ibaka, who was 7-for-11, scoring 19 points to go with five rebounds and two blocks in the last matchup between the two teams (March 24 – Mil. 101, Tor 94 and, again without Lowry).
So, ignoring the fact that Toronto will very likely end the Bucks season, we can all hold out hope that the Greek Freak gets a taste of the King, because it will be ridiculous. Cleveland did win the regular-season series 3-1.
Antetokounmpo averaged 24 points (50% FGs), 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks against the Cavs.
James averaged 27.3 points (51% FGs, 50% 3s), 8.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists against Milwaukee.
