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Milwaukee Bucks: Biggest threats in Eastern Conference

By Brian Sampson

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 6: Eric Bledsoe #6 celebrates with Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks after hitting a three pointer in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards during the Bucks 110-103 win at Capital One Arena on January 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 6: Eric Bledsoe #6 celebrates with Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks after hitting a three pointer in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards during the Bucks 110-103 win at Capital One Arena on January 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks are the favorites in the Eastern Conference. However, here are their biggest challengers to a spot in the NBA Finals.

The Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2018-19 season with moderate expectations and blew past them to finish the regular season with the most wins in the entire NBA. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals and came within two games of reaching the NBA Finals. Because of that success, they enter the 2019-20 season with sky-high expectations.

Milwaukee is favored to win the Eastern Conference and do so by obliterating their regular season schedule. They did lose a couple of key contributors in Malcolm Brogdon and Nikola Mirotic. However, they are hoping to replace them with a combination of free agent signings Wesley Matthews, Kyle Korver, Robin Lopez and internal growth from some of their youngsters.

The loss of Brogdon won’t hurt the team much in the regular season. Unfortunately, the postseason is where the team could see the most issues. Eric Bledsoe struggled in the playoffs for the second consecutive year and it appears to be a mind game with him at this point. The Bucks will need him and others to step up and fill the void.

Before we get to the postseason, let’s rank the biggest Eastern Conference threats. These teams, ranked in descending order, are the most likely to uproot Milwaukee and take home the title of the Beast in the East.

5. Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets were one of the big winners in free agency after they signed both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Oh, and they also got their friend DeAndre Jordan. Even with Durant missing the entire 2019-20 season due to injury, Irving should be able to help this team reach new heights. It’s a lot of turnover in Brooklyn, but they will be right there in competition for homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. They just aren’t ready to compete with the Bucks quite yet. That will come in 2020-21.

4. Toronto Raptors

After the Toronto Raptors won the NBA Championship, Kawhi Leonard returned home and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. Even without Leonard, the Raptors are still a good team. Just not championship caliber. They’ll be right in contention with the Nets and Indiana Pacers for homecourt in the first round. That may seem like a small consolation prize after their tremendous success last season.

3. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are the team that pried Malcolm Brogdon away from the Bucks and will look to place him in a bigger role. That’s exactly what Brogdon was hoping for, as he looks to team up with Victor Oladipo and create a dangerous duo in the East. As scrappy as the Pacers are, however, they just don’t have enough talent to contend with a team like Milwaukee.

2. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics had a very eventful offseason-some good and a lot bad. They did sign Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter. Unfortunately, they lost Kyrie Irving and Al Horford to Eastern Conference rivals. The drop off in talent will be noticeable, as the Celtics are in the tier below the Bucks and the next team on this list.

Ranking the Bucks 2019-20 roster. dark. Next

1. Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are the only real threat to the Bucks in the East. Similar to other teams on this list, they lost a star player in Jimmy Butler in free agency. However, they supplemented his skills with Al Horford and Josh Richardson. Philadelphia will roll out a gigantic lineup that pushes every team to the brink. It will be a toss-up entering the season whether Philly or Milwaukee gains the upper hand.

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