Ranking the 3 biggest obstacles for the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference

2. Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have the singularly most dominant player in the entire NBA in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now that James is gone, the “Greek Freak” has the east in his hands. He was stopped by Kawhi Leonard‘s Toronto Raptors in the conference finals last season, but–like James–Leonard also made his way to the “City of Angels”.

Now, the Bucks are rampaging through the league with a 35-6 record and the second most efficient offense in the entire league behind James’ Lakers. It seems that it’s only a matter of time before Antetokounmpo begins his ascension to the pantheon of singularly dominant talents like James, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon.

With all of that said, the Boston Celtics actually handed Milwaukee 20% of their losses this season (manipulating numbers is fun!) when they handed the Bucks their first “L” of the season. Back on October 30th, despite Antetokounmpo’s 22 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, as well as a 26 point performance from Khris Middleton (10-15 shooting), the Celtics rallied from a 13-point deficit to overcome the Bucks by a final of 116-105.

Antetokounmpo can only be slowed, but if Boston can limit the impact of guys like Middleton, Eric Bledsoe and Brook Lopez, they have a shot at knocking out the Eastern Conference’s premiere powerhouse.

Luckily, being able to deploy Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Gordon Hayward and even Semi Ojeleye in waves to keep the reigning MVP in check, there is a path to winning four games against the Bucks come May.