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#8 Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
This could be a perfect 1-2 punch for a potential dynasty in the making. Led by the reigning MVP of the league Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks finished with the best record in the league and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season where there were beaten by the eventual NBA champions, the Toronto Raptors, in six games.
Khris Middleton's style of play complements well with the raw and athletic play style of the Greek Freak. Middleton is an excellent shooter who can play off the ball, while Antetokounmpo wreaks havoc with the ball in his hands, playing the role of a point forward at times.
With the addition of new pieces and a relatively weakened Eastern Conference next season, the Bucks have a solid chance of coming out of the east if they continue to play the same way they played last season.
#7 Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers)
Before the last season, media analysts considered the combination of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum a failure for not getting the Trail Blazers over the hump, to the point that trade rumors started to fly around CJ McCollum. Irrespective of all the negative talks surrounding the team, the Trail Blazers organization did not give up on their starting backcourt.
Fast forward to last season's playoffs, Portland made it to the Western Conference Finals despite the absence of center Jusuf Nurkic behind inspired performances from the star duo.
For all their dribbling exhibitions, penetrating ability, and sound shooting skills, Lillard and McCollum are undersized at their respective positions that has time and again led to shortcomings on the defensive end.
For the upcoming season, however, Trail Blazers have bolstered their roster with the addition of defense-oriented center Hassan Whiteside, and defensive guard Kent Bazemore. Expect more pick and roll action in the next season.
