Before I write this video description, I want to emphasize that I am NOT overreacting here. If anything, I am underreacting. A normal Bucks fan would have dived headfirst into the ocean of insanity by now, but I’m just standing here at the top of the cliff thinking to myself, “Maybe it’s better if the Bucks don’t make the Finals”. That said, here’s my foolproof plan for a Bucks win in game two:
Vintage Brook Lopez.
That’s it.
Nowadays Brook Lopez is great. His three-pointers, when falling (as in this game), are wetter than a puddle in a rainstorm. But Vintage Brook Lopez could punish teams inside with his soft touch and his unassailable bigness. If necessary (and it was often necessary on those funky Nets teams), he could make it rain from midrange while not even jumping or otherwise expending large amounts of energy. Nobody could stop him even when he was the first option on offense and all his teammates sucked major dingaling (thus allowing all defenders to key in on Lopez).
Here’s the thing: Bam Adebayo is the Giannis stopper, right? He’s got his hands full stopping Giannis. He can’t stop Giannis and Lopez at the same time. If Adebayo is busy making sure Giannis doesn’t drop thirty-point triple-doubles, somebody on the else will have to try to stop Lopez while Lopez makes mince meat out of them in the paint. If Adebayo relinquishes his “Giannis-stopper” role in order to be the “Lopez-stopper” and stop the unholy carnage going on near the bucket, other Heat players have to stop Giannis without Adebayo’s help, and that’s not easy. It’s doable, but not easy. Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder combined can get it done. That’s where Kha$h comes in to play.
Remember, I’m not overreacting here. I’ve never overreacted in my life and I’m not going to start now. Suggesting a role for Lopez that he hasn’t filled in three years is in no way an example of overreaction. My suggestions are cool, calm, and logical.