Regardless of which team lifts the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy in a few weeks, there will be new blood named the 2021 NBA champions.
The Milwaukee Bucks are vying for their first title since 1971, while the Phoenix Suns are looking to win their first championship in franchise history.
The status of two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is up in the air for the first few games of the NBA Finals due to a knee injury. Even though the Bucks were able to win games five and six against the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals without Antetokounmpo, it will be far different against the Suns.
The Bucks need Antetokounmpo to be close to 100% to have any chance of knocking off the favored Suns.
Milwaukee also needs their supporting cast to step up if Antetokounmpo is forced to miss a few games. Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday will be especially important throughout the 2021 NBA Finals, especially when Antetokounmpo is either unable to suit up or is hampered by his injury.
The Phoenix Suns are led by Chris Paul, who is in his first NBA Finals in his 16-year career. Paul has been an integral force in helping an otherwise very young Phoenix team advance further than almost anyone expected before the NBA Playoffs.
The Suns Devin Booker has come into his own during his first NBA Playoffs and Deandre Ayton has been a dominating inside force for Phoenix all playoffs long.
This NBA Finals will boil down to one simple thing: The health of Antetokounmpo.
Even if Antetokounmpo were to play a majority of the NBA Finals games, he will not have the explosiveness that he is accustomed to. Without a dependable outside shot and his well- documented struggles from the free throw line, Antetokounmpo will look nothing like himself in the 2021 NBA Finals.
The Phoenix Suns fairy tale 2021 NBA season will conclude with their first NBA title in franchise history.
Prediction: Suns in 6
2021 Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award: Chris Paul
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