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The Milwaukee Bucks made history by winning their first NBA championship since 1971 following a commanding Game 6 display that saw Giannis Antetokounmpo produce a historic stat line of 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. After the match, Giannis claimed that he had the option of joining a super-team to earn his first ring, but chose the harder way.
Since being named Finals MVP, the five-time All-Star has inadvertently emerged as one of the biggest winners to emerge from the 2021 NBA Playoffs. In this article, we look at the three biggest winners and losers from this year’s Playoffs:
Biggest winners from 2021 NBA Playoffs
#3 Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young emerged as a bonafide superstar this season and carried the Atlanta Hawks to the Eastern Conference finals for the second time in 50 years. After a disappointing 2019-20 season in which they finished 14th, the Hawks now have one of the most exciting young cores in the NBA and will be looking to go even further in the upcoming season.
Apart from Trae Young’s breathtaking performances all season, the team saw the likes of Kevin Huerter, Cam Reddish, DeAndre Hunter and All-Star John Collins produce impressive seasons, while the addition of Clint Capela also turned out to be one of the shrewdest moves of the past season. While there were plenty of doubters who thought that Trae Young would not continue his regular season into the Playoffs, the 23-year old silenced doubters and produced some memorable performances through the three series.
#2 Phoenix Suns
Eventually falling short to the Milwaukee Bucks despite winning the first two games of the Finals, the Phoenix Suns also enjoyed a successful season with the addition of Chris Paul proving to be a masterstroke. The Suns have a strong roster that will return next season as one of the contenders again.
Mikal Bridges had a breakthrough season and averaged in double digits for the first time in his career, while Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton benefitted from the experience of Chris Paul, who lost in his first-ever NBA Finals appearance. Regardless, the Suns exploited crucial injuries that the LA Lakers, Denver Nuggets and the Clippers suffered in their series against them and will return next season as one of the contenders again.
#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks saw their two long-term stars in Giannis and Khris Middleton deliver the goods. The Bucks and head coach Mike Budenholzer have come under scrutiny for past anti-climactic runs, especially during the Playoffs.
However, the addition of Jrue Holiday paid off as he produced some of the most memorable defensive performances of recent years. Meanwhile Giannis made history by becoming the first player in NBA history to record 50 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in the Finals. After two successive MVP seasons, Giannis was finally able to get his hands on the big prize, with the Bucks expected to return next season even stronger.
Biggest losers from 2021 NBA Playoffs
#3 Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have finished the season with multiple stars rumored to be on the verge of leaving. Damian Lillard carried the Trail Blazers to the Playoffs after an injury-ravaged season that ended at the hands of Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets.
CJ McCollum, who will argue that he is still the second-best player on the roster, looks set to leave while Damian Lillard has himself been involved in a lengthy transfer saga. The Trail Blazers struggled on perimeter defense all season with Charles Barkley famously betting $100k that they will qualify for the Finals. Regardless, the coming offseason is expected to bring about large-scale changes to the roster.
#2 James Harden
James Harden and the Brooklyn Nets both had anti-climactic seasons. The Nets were the favorites for the NBA championship, but injuries to Irving and Harden meant that they were knocked out in an entertaining seven-game series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Harden in particular was in the MVP conversation throughout the first half of the season, but a late regular-season injury meant the Nets lost him when they needed him the most. He played the last three games of the series and went 11 out of 39 from the field as the Nets were knocked out despite some commanding Kevin Durant displays. Regardless, Harden will be licking his wounds and should make a strong return next season.
#1 Ben Simmons
There is little doubt that Ben Simmons is the biggest loser to emerge from the 2021 NBA Playoffs. The 2018 rookie of the year was the first overall pick of the 2016 NBA draft. However, his lack of shooting came under scrutiny all through the season and was especially highlighted during the Playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks that the 76ers ended up losing despite having the better team on paper.
The result has been that Ben Simmons is one of the most likely stars to change teams in the coming offseason, with the 76ers’ fans finally appearing to lose patience. The Philadelphia 76ers have multiple stars, with Joel Embiid being an MVP favorite for much of the season. Regardless, Ben Simmons does not look like he will return to play for the Philadelphia 76ers next season.
Guess the Lakers players!
