The Milwaukee Bucks did the unthinkable last year. They finally ascended to the top of the NBA world, winning the championship in six games against the Phoenix Suns. Not many people believed they would even get out of the eastern conference, let alone win a title. Much of that had to do with critics pointing to superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo's limited offensive range. Well, all Antetokounmpo did was post one of the most dominant performances in NBA Finals history, earning himself NBA Finals MVP. Enter the 2021-2022 NBA season, and once again not many people are talking about the Bucks as title contenders.

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All of the talk in the east this season has been about Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, the emergence of the Miami Heat, the depth of the Chicago Bulls or Kyrie Irving's drama and Kevin Durant's superstardom with the Brooklyn Nets. But lost in the shuffle has been the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. Anyone overlooking this Bucks team is making a serious mistake.

Here are three reasons why the Milwaukee Bucks will make and win the 2022 NBA Finals.

3 Reasons the Milwaukee Bucks Will Make and Win the 2022 NBA Finals

3. CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE

You can never overstate the importance of experience, especially championship experience when talking about the playoffs. This doesn't just go for basketball, but any sport. Last season, the Bucks finally grew up and took the ultimate step, winning the NBA title. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round, no problem. But then had to go through Durant and the Nets in the next round. This was the test of a champion, and the Bucks just got past Brooklyn in seven games.

The Eastern Conference finals saw the Bucks playing the upstart Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks were the hottest team with the hottest player in Trae Young. Yet, the Bucks showed their metal and did what was needed to reach the finals for the first time in almost 40 years. Against the Suns, Milwaukee dropped the first two games and it looked bleak. They did not lose again, winning the title in six games. The way in which the Bucks won the championship built a lot of character and belief in one another.

This year, the eastern conference looks somewhat similar. The Bucks are once again currently the #3 seed. The Heat are surprising people again. The Bulls have taken a big step forward this year, the way the Hawks did last year. But you typically need to fall down before you can get back up.

That's because you lack the experience on how to handle the pressure in big-time situations. The Bucks have that experience and will remain cool, calm and collected in the biggest moments of the biggest games.

2. ELITE DEFENSE, BOTH TEAM AND INDIVIDUALLY

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Everyone knows that when the NBA playoffs come around, the game slows down. High-powered offenses that like to run up and down the court, jacking up shots, tend not to do well. It's much easier to slow games down. Refs typically let players play a bit more physically, and swallow their whistles.

Milwaukee is a good offensive team. But they make their paychecks on the other end of the court, both as a team and individually.

Obviously, Antetokounmpo is a great defender. He is agile and athletic enough to be a great rim protector even if he is guarding out near the three-point line. But Jrue Holiday is the true difference-maker. Even players like Durant have acknowledged Holiday as the best defender in basketball.

1. GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO IS A DIFFERENT CAT

Players like Durant, Embiid, Trae Young can easily take over a game offensively the same way Antetokounmpo. But none of them can make that same type impact on the defensive end. That's what makes ‘The Alphabet' a different cat. He can change a game on both sides of the court.

He showed that during the NBA Finals last year. Giannis was playing at a level I have rarely ever seen in almost 30 years of watching basketball. It truly was one of the most dominating all-around performances in NBA Finals history. You can put that up against what Bill Russell did with the Celtics, what Magic Johnson did for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980's, or Shaquille O'Neal a decade-plus later.

Antetokounmpo averaged a whopping 35 points on 62 percent shooting for the finals. He added 13 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal per game in the finals. Everyone knows that the biggest weakness in his game is his free throw shooting. But in the closeout game, he shot 17-19 from the line.

There are a lot of superstars that can do some amazing things. I've long been the proponent to the argument that basketball players are the best all-around athletes in the world. Knowing that, if I can take one guy, give me this guy.