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The Milwaukee Bucks will need to slow down the Brooklyn Nets backcourt to have a shot of reaching the conference finals, but they also need Brook Lopez to be a major difference-maker in the frontcourt.
One might presume, given the dynamism of Brooklyn's frontcourt as well as the absence of Donte DiVincenzo, Milwaukee's X-factor would be someone like Bryn Forbes or Pat Connaughton. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton will obviously need to play bigger defensive roles, but the aforementioned guys would seem to have vital importance coming off the bench.
Indeed, Forbes and Connaughton must play a role if the Bucks hope to win the series. However, Lopez is absolutely integral with his rim protection and scoring presence around the rim.
The 33-year-old was terrific in Milwaukee's first-round sweep of the Miami Heat. Lopez averaged 15.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in four games, shooting close to 60 percent from the field and scoring via an assortment of jump hooks and post ups.
Brooklyn typically plays small, with Kevin Durant as the 4-man or even occasionally playing center. Lopez is going to be a handful for anyone who starts at center for the Nets because of his large frame. The Bucks figure to get him some touches down low should they struggle to shoot the ball from the perimeter or carve out straight-line drives for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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In actuality, though, Lopez is going to play a bigger role on the defensive end of the floor.
There are a few things to take into account when projecting Lopez's influence on the defensive end. The first is whether he will even have the chance to be a true rim protector.
The Nets are more likely to spread the Bucks out. This doesn't mean Lopez will guard Kevin Durant, per se. But it does mean he is probably going to spend a lot of time on the perimeter and will have to stay on the ball in terms of hedging or switching.
Secondly, depending on who Lopez gets matched up with, he may or may not be able to help off the ball. Lopez was terrific as a help defender especially in Game 4 against the Heat, rotating over to block shots on multiple occasions.
If Lopez is able to shadow his defensive assignments and still pose a threat on the interior, the Bucks have an excellent chance to control the tempo of the game and force Brooklyn's “Big Three” to create on a consistent basis. However, if Lopez is pulled out beyond the arc, the Nets' stars could unleash the full extent of their playmaking potential.
Plenty of eyeballs will be on Antetokounmpo, Holiday and Middleton, but it's Lopez who could play the biggest role against Brooklyn.
