Draymond Green names Milwaukee as a legitimate threat: “That’s the team who we could’ve met in the finals”
Draymond Green is keeping an eye on the Milwaukee Bucks apart from the Boston Celtics as a legitimate threat to the Golden State Warriors. The Dubs haven't gotten off to a good start this season. However, they have gained momentum over their last few games, which includes Saturday's 123-107 win over the league-leading Celtics at home.
The Warriors are the defending champions and cannot be counted out at any stage. They are likely to return atop the Western Conference standings moving forward, make a deep push in the playoffs, and possibly find themselves playing the finals for a second consecutive season.
The Celtics are the favorites to meet them again at the grandest stage, but the Bucks aren't far behind. Draymond Green gave Milwaukee their props during an interview with ESPN, saying:
"My other eye is on Milwaukee. Understanding that, that's a very good team with great players. That's the team we could've met in the finals easily last year... Khris Middleton's back, Brook Lopez is back, playing incredible basketball."
(1:28 onwards)
The Milwaukee Bucks came close to knocking out the Boston Celtics from the playoffs in the second round last season. The Bucks stretched that series to seven games and were up 3-2, despite playing without All-Star forward Khris Middleton.
They started the season in his absence but were able to secure a 9-0 record. The Bucks once again displayed their depth, putting the league on notice. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been an unstoppable force, while the supporting cast of Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, and Grayson Allen have contributed tremendously to the team's success.
They are currently 19-6 this year, the second-best record league-wide. The Boston Celtics remain heavy favorites to win the Eastern Conference, but if there's any team with the talent and the depth to stop the 17-time champions, it's the Milwaukee Bucks.
Draymond Green is not concerned by any team from the Western Conference
Draymond Green made a sensational claim that Western Conference teams don't concern him this season. He believes the Golden State Warriors can beat any conference rival, despite some good teams that have played decently. Here's what Green said about this on ESPN:
"I'm not concerned about anybody in the West. I think there are good teams in the West, good teams that you've to have appropriate fear, as coach Kerr always talked about. Phoenix is one of those teams... I'm never counting the Lakers out.
"But I don't worry about anybody in the West. I have appropriate fear, and I know what teams are capable of, but I know if we play our 'A game,' nobody's beating us."
(2:40 onwards)
Draymond Green might have a valid point here, considering how close the records are in the West. The Warriors are eighth in the standings with a 14-13 record, but they're only four games behind the top seed, the New Orleans Pelicans.
Young teams like the Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies have played exceptionally well, but they are still inexperienced in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have shown that they can struggle in crunch time.
The LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Denver Nuggets are either injury-prone teams or rely heavily on their star players to produce positive results. The Golden State Warriors may not have gotten off to a good start, but they remain a threat because they have the longest-tenured core.
They have always been among the better-coached teams, with the most success in playoff basketball over the last decade, making six finals appearances since 2015, winning four times.
It's understandable why Draymond Green and the Warriors wouldn't fear teams in the West similar to the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, who seem to have minor weaknesses this season.