Despite Kevin Durant’s best efforts in Game 7, it was the Milwaukee Bucks who got the better of the Brooklyn Nets in the series. The Bucks will now progress to the Eastern Conference Finals where they will either play the Atlanta Hawks or the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Nets on the other hand were labelled as the favourites to win the Championship after they pulled off superb trades to form a superteam. However, injury trouble was a major concern for Steve Nash’s men as they lost out in an intense Game 7.
Differing public opinion NBA legend and analyst Charles Barkley never tagged the Nets as the favourites to win the title. In fact, he even predicted a win for the Bucks before the start of this series.
There was only Kevin Durant who led the Nets single-handedly and dropped a 48 point historic Game 7 performance. But that also was not enough for the Nets as they lost 111-115 in overtime. KD did not get much support from Kyrie Irving and James Harden as they both were down with injuries. While Harden still featured in some games but he was far from his best.
Durant could have scored the game winner in regulation time with his fadeaway jumper but his feet were on the line and hence the match progressed to overtime. The Nets were that close to winning the series and going ahead. it was once again proved that even a player as brilliant as him can take his team only so far.
The Bucks have now won and hence Barkley’s prediction came out true. he had foreseen this situation with the Nets. He stated, “I never thought they were gonna win a championship.” But with the prediction, he also feels that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will win the NBA Championship this season.
However, qualifying for the Conference finals has been a habit for the Bucks as this is their second appearance in three years. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been at his usual best but he is well supported by players like Khris Middleton who has been superb in this series and also Jrue Holiday who has been a silent performer for the Bucks.
Hence Mike Budenholzer’s team have all the ingredients to become the NBA Champions this season. But for now, they will look to win the Conference first and then set their eyes on the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
