The Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA title in 2021 against the Phoenix Suns. Since then, they lost in the second round once and in the first round for three consecutive years. Despite having Giannis Antetokounmpo playing at an MVP-level, the Bucks cannot get past the first round. One of the big reasons is health. Speaking about the upcoming season, Bobby Portis believes they can win the title if things go their way.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Makes Bold Championship Prediction
Bobby Portis was one of the most important players during the Bucks title run in 2021. He was rewarded with a lucrative contract afterward. He recently joined KBN to talk about the upcoming season and what his expectations are. He also touched on Giannis’ future. Asked about what it would take for them to get back to the Finals, he replied:
“I mean, what’s wrong with our team? The only thing that’s been wrong with us is that people have been hurt. You know, we win a championship in 2022, Khris Middleton goes down. You know, we’re losing seven to Boston. In 2023, first round, Giannis tries to dunk on Kevin Love, comes down, and hurts his back. In 2024, Giannis hurts his leg against the Celtics in a regular game, then doesn’t play another game. We ain’t been really healthy so I don’t make excuses, but that’s just what the tables was for us. So, why can’t we do it this year? All you need is health.”
To be fair, the Bucks had a stretch last season when they were healthy and looked like a great team. They even won the Emirates NBA Cup over the eventual NBA champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the NBA Cup, the Bucks completely dominated the game. If they played like that the whole year, who knows, they might have made it to the Finals.
Can the Bucks Win a Championship Title?
If we look at title odds, the Bucks do not have an easy time. They have the eighth-best odds in the Eastern Conference to win the title. Even teams like the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, and Atlanta Hawks have better odds at FanDuel than the Bucks.
According to bettors, the Bucks have a +5000 chance to win the title in 2026. What is interesting is that the Boston Celtics, a team that lost its biggest star to an Achilles injury, has better title odds at +4500.
But as Portis says, if they are healthy, they can be a scary team. You never want to bet against a team with a top-five player in the league. Giannis has finished in the top five in MVP voting for seven consecutive years. During that period, he won the regular season MVP two times and finished third three times. Usually, teams with the best player on the floor win if they are healthy.
Did the Bucks Do Enough in the Offseason?
This offseason, the Bucks somehow found a way to make changes to their team. They waived Damian Lillard, and then used the cap space to sign Myles Turner. Then, they managed to get Cole Anthony after he secured a buyout. They also retained role players like Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr, and Kevin Porter Jr. Yet, it all comes down to Giannis and his health. If he is healthy in the playoffs, the Bucks will be a scary team. If not, they might continue the streak of losing in the first round.
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