1. The Boston Celtics have more weapons to attack the Los Angeles Lakers with
The Milwaukee Bucks live and die by Giannis Antetokounmpo. Granted, Khris Middleton is an all-star player who is also extremely important to the Bucks, but without Giannis, the Bucks are likely a sixth seed team.
In the recent past, we have seen teams be able to slow Giannis down in the playoffs. It is obviously not an easy feat, but with the Lakers having a great on-ball defender in Anthony Davis to guard him as well as the size to clog the lane, Giannis can be contained. We have seen it before.
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The Boston Celtics have more weapons. Not only do they have more weapons, but there are multiple things to take into account with this team.
1. Jayson Tatum has hit that next level
There is usually a specific moment in every young superstar’s career where they truly hit that next level and Jayson Tatum reached it before the league’s hiatus. In his last 10 games before the season’s hiatus, Tatum averaged 30.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and shot 47.1 percent from beyond the arc.
He is not always going to be that hot, but he absolutely should be regarded as a legitimate first star.
2. The Boston Celtics have great wings
The biggest defensive hurdle that the Los Angeles Lakers are going to have to overcome against the Celtics is defending their wings. The Celtics have Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward that all can attack and make plays happen off the wing.
The Lakers have one great wing defender in Danny Green, but they are not going to be able to pull Anthony Davis out and guard another wing without creating a huge mismatch down low. LeBron James is going to have to step up and play great defense, which he can do, but it is tougher than being able to put AD on Giannis.
3. Kemba Walker rounds out the foursome
Kemba Walker is one of the five best point guards in the league. The Celtics have four players that legitimately could score 20 a night, any night.