New York (AFP)
Coming out of the play-offs with twists and turns, the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks face each other from Tuesday in the NBA Championship final, a new, unexpected and balanced poster that marks a renewal of the league.
Many were expecting a superstars duel between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets, but the Suns and Bucks blocked their way earlier in these playoffs marked by an avalanche of injuries, which some including LeBron James put on the account of an insane schedule.
Never crowned in the franchise's 53-year history, Phoenix is back in the final for the first time since 1993, while the 1971-titled Bucks haven't attended this level since 1974.
None of the players who will be aligned Tuesday in Phoenix by the two best defenses of the play-offs has never been champion, the only one to have lived a final being Jae Crowder, last year with Miami.
A few hours before kick-off, the Suns, who have the home advantage, were noticeably favorites of the bookmakers to clinch four victories in this series in the best of seven sets (a possible seventh decisive game would be played at Phoenix).
- Antetokounmpo uncertain -
Fresher, with one less disputed game during these play-offs (16 against 17 at the Bucks) and a week of rest when Milwaukee will have only had three days, the Suns also face a team including the best player, the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, is uncertain.
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Injured to his left knee from a poor reception in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks, the double MVP (2019 and 2020) may not be operational for Game 1 or more.
In his absence, the Bucks have shown remarkable strength, both in defense and attack, to win the last two matches of the semi-final with authority, without ever being behind.
Lieutenant Khris Middleton played fairer and full-back Jrue Holiday accelerated further in his role as a hard-hitting scorer, dangerous at three points as well as in penetration.
Milwaukee, like Phoenix, relies on a very balanced cast, with no real weaknesses, with complementary players who know their roles well.
It is also an experienced team, which after having disappointed for a long time in the play-offs, this season has shown a different face, more combative, reinforced by the arrival of players with personality like PJ Tucker or Bobby Portis.
But the locomotive of the Bucks remains Antetokounmpo, and starting a final without the number 34 or with a diminished "Greek Freak" puts Milwaukee in a position of inferiority.
- Paul injured in a hand -
The Greek winger offers a colossal and irreplaceable statistical volume.
The mix of velocity, power and size it presents on a terrain is unmatched in the world and creates major imbalances in opposing defenses.
Opposite, the Suns will be complete, even if point guard Chris Paul arrives at the last stage of the championship with an injured right hand, victim of a partial tear of the ligaments.
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If they win, Phoenix would be the second team in a row, after the Lakers last year, to win the title after missing the playoffs the year before.
A little against the current NBA, the residents of Arizona form a rather old-fashioned team with, among its three essential elements, an organizing point guard (Chris Paul) and a specific pivot who does not shoot from far. (Deandre Ayton).
After transfiguring Oklahoma City last season, Chris Paul has revolutionized the Suns' game this season.
The former (36 years old) has structured a collective made up of many young players in need of experience.
At ease in transition as on placed play, Phoenix relies, in attack, on the back Devin Booker, particularly dangerous at mid-distance, an area often neglected in the current NBA.
Whatever the winner of this final, this season will have marked a renewal for the NBA, accustomed for eleven years to see LeBron James or Stephen Curry in the final, or even both opposites.
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