Fansided

NBA Playoffs 2019: 5 players facing the most pressure

By Micah Wimmer

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Toronto Raptors on March 22, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Toronto Raptors on March 22, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 26: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks gets introduced before the game against the Houston Rockets on March 26, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 26: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks gets introduced before the game against the Houston Rockets on March 26, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Milwaukee Bucks have been the best team in the NBA all season long, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is the primary reason why. Already an All-NBA caliber player, Giannis improved a ton this year, posting career highs in points, rebounds, and assists, while scoring more efficiently than ever. However, he has yet to win a playoff series and this year, considering the Bucks’ regular season success, failing to do so would be a massive failure.

The Bucks have not won a playoff series since 2001 and it appears extremely likely that this will be the year that streak comes to an end considering how well Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have played all season long, but if the Bucks fail to make at least the Conference Finals, it’s likely that some will use that as an excuse to impugn Giannis. There may be some growing pains for him this postseason as he attempts to make his first deep playoff run, but it seems foolhardy to bet against either him or the Bucks even though both he and his team have lots to prove in these playoffs.

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