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After the final buzzer sounded in Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals, the Milwaukee Bucks were declared the NBA champions for the first time in 50 years. The Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 50 points in that game and was the runaway Finals MVP.
He reiterated after the game that he was proud of himself for doing it the 'hard way' and not joining a superteam. He had signed a five-year supermax with the Milwaukee Bucks, a small-market team, before leading them to their first chip since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did so in 1971.
In an interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews, the two-time MVP spoke about his plans for next season:
"We just did it—we did it a couple of hours ago—and I'm already thinking about how can I do it again...How can I make this team better? What can I improve to help this team be better? But that's who I am."
However, the road to repeating as NBA champions won't be easy. Most players lose the dedication and hunger after the champagne showers and city-wide parades. It takes serious mental and physical strength to put in another championship season just weeks after winning a chip.
Here is what the reigning champions, Milwaukee Bucks, should do to win back-to-back NBA titles:
#1 Milwaukee Bucks must retain their key role players
Despite how spectacular the Milwaukee Bucks' 'Big 3' were, their NBA triumph wouldn't have been possible without their role players.
Players like PJ Tucker, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton and Bryn Forbes were incredible for the team all postseason. Forbes earned recognition for his insane sharpshooting and outscoring the Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler in the first round. Forbes has declined his player option and elected to enter NBA free agency, though.
Moreover, PJ Tucker usually guarded one of the best players on the opposition as he took turns defending Jimmy Butler, Nets' Kevin Durant and Suns' Devin Booker. He also provided the team with timely corner threes and fought for offensive boards practically every possession.
Meanwhile, Bobby Portis has evolved into a fan-favourite in the city of Milwaukee. The fans cheer 'Bobby Bobby' whenever he is on the floor, and he is the Bucks' energizer bunny as his energy and intensity fuel the entire team.
He does little bit of everything for the team from scoring threes to grabbing boards and even his smallest buckets fire up the home crowd. The Milwaukee Bucks need to ensure he returns to their lineup next season.
Finally, Pat Connaughton is the Milwaukee Bucks' best guard off the bench. He drops threes at a high clip and is arguably one of the best rebounding guards in the league.
He flies in out of nowhere to grab boards, leaving the opposition's big men perplexed. He stepped up big time when Donte DiVincenzo got injured and performed any role the coach and team asked him to.
Also check out: Giannis Antetokounmp Contract Breakdown
#2 Milwaukee Bucks need to improve offensively
It might seem ridiculous to say that the NBA champions need to improve offensively, but the reality is that the Milwaukee Bucks' defense is what gave them an edge over other teams.
One cannot ignore the fact that the Brooklyn Nets came an inch of Kevin Durant's foot away from being in the Eastern Conference Finals instead of the Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks also got outscored by nearly 40 points in Game 2 against the Nets, and that was without James Harden. The reality of the 2021 NBA Playoffs were that most of the teams were injured, so credit goes to the Milwaukee Bucks for capitalizing that opportunity.
However, despite their status as NBA champions, eight out of ten analysts would still pick a healthy Brooklyn Nets team to win a seven-game series against the Bucks. They cannot expect injuries to strike the opposition next time and must work on their offensive game.
According to rumors, Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon is going to train Giannis Antetokounmpo in the off-season. Moreover, one cannot expect the Greek Freak to make 17-19 free throws every game as well. The lack of a jump shot by Antetokounmpo can also be exploited occasionally if the defense clogs the paint and forms the famous 'Giannis Wall'.
Jrue Holiday is elite defensively, but his offense needs to step up as well. He had several games in the 2021 NBA playoffs where he shot poorly. If he ends up contributing just a little more on offense, the Milwaukee Bucks should be confident heading into any series.
#3 Milwaukee Bucks need to target big free agents
In an era of NBA superteams, the Milwaukee Bucks shouldn't be left behind. The 2020 champions, LA Lakers, just drastically bolstered their roster by adding nine-time All-Star and 2017 league MVP Russell Westbrook.
The Lakers are also rumored to be in the market for DeMar DeRozan, as the Spurs star is reportedly willing to take a pay-cut if he can compete for a ring. The Bucks can offer DeRozan that chance and help him win a championship.
As mentioned earlier, the Bucks would be dealing with a healthy Brooklyn Nets team next season, so signing a big free agent should help them massively to win the 2021-22 title.
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