Game 1 of these 2021 NBA Finals between Phoenix and Milwaukee will most certainly be played without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Not surprisingly news, but bad news for the Bucks and for the show nonetheless. Greek is advertised as « doubtful » for the first part of this eagerly awaited series.
Starting the NBA Finals without your franchise player (incidentally double MVP and defender of the year), it hurts. Perhaps as bad as the hyperextension in the left knee from which the main interested party is suffering: Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak has already missed his team’s last two games, won thanks to a Brook Lopez in Shaquille O’Neal mode and a Khris Middleton who took for Kevin Durant. Until then, no problem for Milwaukee who finished cleanly his series against Atlanta, despite the absence of Giannis. But, against these Phoenix Suns, favorites according to bookmakers, the Bucks may well really need their leader. And tonight, it seems that the most famous Greek in the NBA is well and truly in a suit to watch his team. Information balanced by Shams Charania from The Athletic and a blow to fans of the Wisconsin franchise.
Giannis Antetokounmpo listed doubtful for Game 1 of Bucks-Suns NBA Finals.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2021
It’s an understatement to say that the 2020 Defender of the Year is a mainstay for the Bucks on both sides of the pitch … A true strike force in attack, capable of penetrating the racquet with speed and power to create shifts for his open shooters (or explode everything in his path), the Freak is a constant threat to any team. Defensively, we also see him dealing with the best opposing attackers and there are a lot of people to calm down in front. (Isn’t that Devin Booker?) Another important aspect of the game where the absence of Giannis could be felt: the rebounds! It must be said that removing the best rebounder of the team and one of the best in the NBA in this area, it shows very strongly… With his 12.7 rebounds on average in Playoffs, the Freak takes up space in the racket and it’s no stranger to the fact that Milwaukee dominates on the rebound on this postseason. (no team gobbles more balloons than the Bucks on this campaign) His absence should therefore offer a little more freedom to Phoenix and Deandre Ayton, who must already be rubbing his hands.. We saw it against the Clippers, when Ayton manages to dominate in the paint, the game becomes very complicated for the opponent. A key element of the upcoming series? To be continued.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury is obviously THE number 1 X factor in these Finals. Even if there is always a small chance to see him in uniform tonight, the question is more: when can he come back, and in what condition? Difficult for the Bucks to make a choice between avoiding aggravating a rather serious injury, or playing it all for the ring …
Source texte : The Athletic
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