Home

NBA

“This Guy’s Different”: Celtics Favored Over Giannis and Damian Lillard’s Bucks to Reach NBA Finals, Thanks to 2X All-Star

Published 10/20/2023, 3:53 PM EDT

Follow Us

USA Today via Reuters

As the NBA season begins with exciting transactions and overhauled lineups, a veteran forward made a daring prediction. His speculation has piqued the interest of basketball fans. The two-time All-Star, known for his crucial expertise and basketball IQ, feels the Boston Celtics have the upper hand over the Milwaukee Bucks in the race to the NBA Finals. And he even picks a certain Celtics player who he believes will be the game-changer.

On the First Take interview, the 4x NBA champion appeared as a guest. There he spoke about the team he feels will make it to the final and stated his reasons.

39-year-old NBA star favors the Celtics

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

After losing Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens wasted no time in overhauling his squad. The sale of fan favorite Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis was one of the early transactions. This brought in a big dimension to the team’s frontcourt. The Celtics’ acquisition of  Jrue Holiday from the Bucks however cemented their place as a strong contender in the Eastern Conference.

Andre Iguodala a seasoned veteran appeared on the first take show. There they asked him about which team he trusts to go to the NBA final. To which he answered, Jrue Holiday is the most underrated player of this generation. For him to not make All-Defensive team every single year, every time he has been in the league, spent some time with him in Philly, I saw him at a young age.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

“This guy’s different. Every team he has been on, he maximized their potential. So I’m a huge Jrue Holiday fan, I know what he brings to the table.

So, I’m going with the Celtics until they prove me wrong.” While Holiday is most recognized for his attacking abilities, his gritty defense and basketball IQ make him a formidable acquisition. His ability to disturb opposing guards and come up with big steals will have a huge influence on the Celtics’ defensive prowess, providing a new dimension to their game. However, not only the Celtics, but even the Milwaukee Bucks have made some changes to their squad.

With new additions to their roster, do the Bucks look like a formidable opponent?

Except for the NBA veteran Andre Iguodala, every other person is betting on the Milwaukee Bucks. After a game-changing three-team transaction that linked superstar Damian Lillard with Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks are emerging as the odds-on favorite to win the 2024 NBA title. Despite losing Jrue Holiday, the Bucks made an audacious move to bolster their squad. They top the pack of contenders with odds of +375.  However, they face heavy opposition from the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors. The Bucks’ quest for an NBA championship promises to be an exciting storyline this season, with their newly gathered trio heightening expectations and enthusiasm among fans.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

USA Today via Reuters

The NBA season is packed with expectations and excitement, and the competition promises to be intense. However, Andre Iguodala’s bold forecast that the Celtics will beat the Bucks in the NBA Finals sets the stage for an exciting ride. The battle for supremacy in the Eastern Conference is shaping up to be one of the season’s most compelling themes, as both clubs make their imprint with overhauled rosters and star-studded lineups. Basketball fans across the world will be watching the Celtics and Bucks intently as they attempt to establish their worth and advance to the NBA Finals.

Watch this Story:. Can Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard Emulate the Success of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson for the Bucks?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

 

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Dhruv Shastry

720Articles

One take at a time

Dhruv is an NBA writer at ES with years of playing experience to name. Despite the ankle injury barring him from playing further, he never lost touch with the sport. He loves the swag and the attitude basketball players possess.
Show More>

Edited by:

Anuj Jacob