No matter what the standings say, the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets are figured to be the top two teams in the Eastern Conference this season. Ever since the Nets traded for James Harden, Brooklyn’s stock has shot through the roof. As long as the Nets stay healthy, the Eastern Conference Finals are expected to feature both teams.
Granted, the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics could contend. The Celtics have made the finals three of the last four seasons. The 76ers have flirted with the top seed most of the season. In the end, both teams feature players that have won four of the last seven MVP awards, so it’s natural to think the Bucks and Nets are set for a date late in the playoffs.
The Three-Headed Monster vs. MVP
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the two-time defending Most Valuable Player and is on pace to contend for his third in a row. No player in the NBA has won three consecutive MVPs since Larry Bird in the 80s. Through 19 games, Giannis is averaging 27.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks. His points and rebounds are down by about two each but his field goal percentage (55.8%) is slightly higher than last season.
Of course, Giannis has help from two-time All-Star Khris Middleton, who is averaging a career-high 21.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, while shooting 51.7% from the field. With that said, even if we grouped Giannis, Middleton, and Jrue Holiday into a “Big 3,” it is not on the same level as the three-headed monster with the Nets.
James Harden has won the last three scoring titles and looks like his vintage self ever since he has left the Rockets. Through nine games, Harden is averaging 24.1three days and a whopping 12.0 assists. Pair him with Kevin Durant, who is on pace to win the MVP for the second time in his career, and that alone is a superstar duo. Durant is averaging 30.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.
Now, throw in a focused Kyrie Irving and that is a lethal offensive unit. Irving is averaging 28.3 points per game and 5.7 assists. While the Nets do have problems defensively, they can run with any team in the league. The Bucks have a solid anchor in Giannis and a true defender in Holiday but there are three legitimate options for the Nets on the floor. The Nets scored 147 points over the Thunder and then 149 points against the Wizards in a three-day stretch. This could be the best offense we have seen since LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in Miami.
Advantage: Nets
Starting Lineups
Along with Irving, Durant, and Harden, the Nets feature two high contributing NBA players. At small forward, Joe Harris is a former Three-Point Contest champion. Harris is shooting a career-high 48.7% and 14.9 points per game, which is also a career-high. Harris has been the sole beneficiary of having Harden and Irving pair up together. Both players are great passers and Harris is a spot-up shooter. Defenses are going to collapse on both guards, freeing up Harris for more wide-open looks.
At the center position, DeAndre Jordan mans the spot. Even though Jordan is not at the caliber he was five years ago, which was back to back rebounding champion titles in 2014 and 2015, he is a former All-Defensive selection. Jordan wants to win a championship and has the experience to take care of the post. However, his 6.6 points and 6.9 rebounds are his lowest totals since 2009.
For the Bucks, picking up Holiday was a great move for the offense and defense. Holiday is the team’s best perimeter defender and can run the offense instead of Middleton. At shooting guard, Donte DiVincenzo is shooting a career-high 38.7% from three-point range in his third season. We can’t forget about Brook Lopez manning down the center spot, who has improved his outside shooting. However, Lopez’s 10.7 points per game are the lowest of his career.
The Bucks have a solid starting lineup but when you are comparing a lineup with Irving, Durant, and Harden, the other side has to have an equal amount of star power. Outside of Giannis, there is not a superstar on this team. There are at least two players with All-Star potential in Middleton and Holiday but DiVincenzo is unproven, and Lopez is not his younger self anymore.
Advantage: Nets
The Bench
Nets: Bruce Brown, Chris Chiozza, Spencer Dinwiddie, Landry Shamet, Tyler Johnson, Iman Shumpert, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Jeff Green, Reggie Perry, Nicolas Claxton, Norvel Pelle
Bucks: D.J. Augustine, Jaylen Adams, Bryn Forbes, Pat Connaughton, Torrey Craig, Sam Merrill, Jordan Nwora, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, D.J. Wilson, Mamadi Diakite, Bobby Portis
The main concern about the Nets is their depth. When the Nets traded for Harden, they parted with two key contributors off the bench in Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen, both of who could be starting with their respective new teams. LeVert was an 18-point per night type of player, while Allen was closing out games for Jordan and finishing with double-doubles most nights.
Now the team is thin on the bench. Jeff Green is a seasoned veteran that sometimes plays late for Jordan in games. Landry Shamet is a career 39% shooter from outside by is shooting 29.2% from three-point range. The team recently signed Iman Shumpert, who is still a well-regarded win defender but his offense is limited. Bruce Brown has been playing well as of late but he is also an improved name.
When it comes to the Bucks, they might be able to go on scoring runs when Durant, Irving, or Harden are taking breaks. Given that the Nets have a poor defense, players like D.J. Augustine and Bryn Forbes will have plenty of looks. Bobby Portis is a high-energy player, who is averaging 11.2 points and 7.5 rebounds.
In the end, the Nets would have a better bench if Spencer Dinwiddie was healthy but he is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL. Tyler Johnson is also hurt but has not seen the floor as often. The Nets are thin and can’t afford injury or COVID-19 taking any more pieces off of it.
Advantage: Bucks
Coach: Steve Nash vs. Mike Budenholzer
In Brooklyn’s last 10 games, the Nets are 7-3. Harden has played in nine of those games, so it is apparent that Nash has found a way to get these personalities to work together. The Nets are 14-9 this season, rising all the way up to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The biggest question mark is how Nash was going to get Irving and Durant to let ego aside and play together. That formula got harder to crunch when Harden was thrown into the mix.
However, you have to respect what Nash has done since Harden came to Brooklyn. The Nets are limited with distractions. If anything, Harden has played like an MVP, while Durant is on pace to win an MVP. Not too many coaches could make this work and the first-year head coach is showing he is head coach material.
With that said, Mike Budenholzer has led two different teams, the Hawks and Bucks, to No. 1 seeds in the Eastern Conference. He has won Coach of the Year with two different NBA franchises. We can respect Nash all we want but he has not coached a full season. Budenholzer’s seat is warm this season. The Bucks can’t lose in the second round again. The team has to make the NBA Finals.
Lucky for us, we will get a chance to see the teams in the playoffs. The Bucks are currently 12-8 and the No. 3 seed in the standings. Both teams could meet in the second round of the Eastern Conference Finals. Either way, we will get our answer on who the better coach is this postseason.
Advantage: Bucks
Conclusion
It’s unfair to give one team the full advantage because we are still seeing the Nets grow as a team. Through nine games, the Nets look like the frontrunners to come out of the East. Then again, the Philadelphia 76ers are holding down the No. 1 seed with a 15-6 record and own wins over the Heat and Lakers as of late. The Nets took down the 76ers on January 7 but that was without Harden, so who knows what could happen in Round 2.
The Bucks have their deepest team ever but fell to Brooklyn 125-123 on January 18 in Harden’s second game with the Nets. Both teams will not see each other again during the regular season, so that is not enough data to determine a winner. In a seven-game series, it could go the distance. That’s what makes the Eastern Conference fun again.
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