NBA Playoffs 2020: 5 reasons the Milwaukee Bucks can win it all

2. I can see clearly now Kawhi is gone

Not often in life do obstacles remove themselves. If they do, most of us probably do not realize they have removed themselves. While the regular season records suggest the Toronto Raptors are still very much a contender, they are a roster diminished by Kawhi Leonard’s departure. His absence matters because the postseason is never exactly predicated by a regular season’s happenings. His absence matters because he simply wrecked Milwaukee in last year’s playoffs.

Here is Kawhi’s stat line for the series: 29.8 points per game, 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.2 steals, and one block.

Here is Giannis’ stat line for the series: 22.7 points per game, 13.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.2 assists, and 2.7 blocks.

The two are fairly comparable in all categories other than points. One could even give Giannis the edge in the series if not for the points, and that point differential over the course of six games made a difference.

Mainly, though, at the end of games, Kawhi just played the part better as he led all players in scoring for five out of the series’ six games, including four games in which he went for over thirty points. In the one game where he did not lead all players in scoring, he sat for fourteen minutes in a blowout win.

But the Bucks did win Games 1 and 2 of that series, which means a trip to the Finals was largely within their grasp. Toronto is still a threat, but as improved as he is, Pascal Siakam might not be ready to carry a team, even one as good as Toronto, through three or four rounds of playoff basketball. History tends to suggest that’s something players learn to do.

Who has learned more from history — Giannis or Pascal? Or rephrased: Which player has more history in his current role?

When their teams met on November 2, Milwaukee won 105-115. When they played again on February 25, Milwaukee won 97-108.

Here is Giannis’ stat line in the first game: 36 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks.

Here is Giannis’ stat line in the second game: 19 points, 19 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks.

Here is Pascal’s stat line in the first game: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, zero blocks.

Here is Pascal’s stat line in the second game: 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, zero blocks.

The best player in a potential series would be Giannis. The best player in a potential series against any Eastern Conference opponent would be Giannis. The answer would be Giannis.