5 reasons the Milwaukee Bucks can win the 2021 NBA championship

4. The Milwaukee Bucks have the shooters to take pressure of Giannis

In the past two postseasons, opponents have packed the paint, loading up on Giannis and daring the rest of the team to beat them. The Bucks shot just 31.0 percent from the 3-point line in their six-game loss to the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and just 32.7 percent as they were eliminated by the Miami Heat in the bubble. But those versions of the Bucks didn’t have the depth of shooters they have now.

In 2019, the Bucks had just one player in their top eight in minutes played who made at least 40 percent of their 3s (George Hill) and two others (Khris Middleton and Tony Snell) who made 37 percent or better. Last year, they had two who shot 40 percent or better (Hill and Middleton) and no one else who made 37.0 or better. This year, they have three shooting better than 40 percent (Middleton, Forbes, Portis) and three more at 37.0 percent or better (Holiday, DiVincenzo, Pat Connaughton). I didn’t include Tucker in that group because he’s only played 355 minutes since the trade but he’s made 13-of-29 (44.8 percent) since joining Milwaukee.

This group is going to be able to punish overly aggressive defenses in a way they couldn’t in the past.