Questions before the restart

In a few days, the sport that has gotten Filipinos so infatuated will resume and excitement is building.  Yet there are some concerns that need answers and dependent on the reactions of teams and individual players, it could either be doom or success.

Can Milwaukee go all the way?  Without a doubt, Giannis is Milwaukee and Milwaukee is Giannis.  Take him out of the equation and the Bucks will be a footnote.  Two or three more players must score at least 12 points each to take the scoring load off their MVP so he can have more gas left in the tank if they do make it all the way.

The Greek Freak will be a free agent come 2021 and in his prime.  He could not be a Buck forever.   In-prime players who recently shifted allegiance were Kawhi Leonard when left San Antonio and then Toronto to team up with Paul George with the LA Clippers, who himself left Oklahoma.   Dwayne Wade wanted to get away from the heat in Miami and cooled in Chicago, literally and figuratively.  He was in the best team and with the best teammates ever, but still Kevin Durant left Golden State.  We know what LeBron James did.  If he gets able support from teammates and leads the Bucks to contention, Giannis will have a good reason to stay in Milwaukee.

Can LeBron lead the LA Lakers to the title?  Eight Laker players have an average age of 33, seven of them play major minutes and all had seen their salad days.  It’s not a guarantee that LeBron and Anthony Davis will be playing together next season as AD has a player option and he can opt out and find another team if things don’t go well with their title chase.   Bron is 35 yet he’s averaging 25 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists per game.  The opportunities for more titles are diminishing and he must do it now while AD’s still around. 

Kyle Kuzma makes us wonder when will he reach his true potential.  Although he averages 12.5 points and 24 minutes per outing, Kuz has not adjusted to his 6th man role and there’s a chance that he’ll be traded in the off season if Kuz stays stagnant.

Will the LA Clippers out do the Lakers?  Another team with a win-now-worry-later attitude.  They went all-in with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George who both also opt out nest season.  Unlike the Lakers, they have a much younger and stronger support crew for Kawhi and PG.  But one of their key players, Lou Williams, will be in lockdown for 10 days because of some chicken wings picked up at an Atlanta strip club.  Now will be the best time for the Clippers to outshine the Lakers.