Despite winning streak, ESPN panel doesn’t believe Bucks have any chance at title

Minutes prior to this Tuesday’s matchup between Milwaukee and Orlando for the Play-In Tournament’s quarterfinals, the iconic Inside the NBA panel mostly agreed that despite their recent success this season, the Bucks do not have what it takes to contend for a title this current campaign.

Even though the Wisconsin club eventually won the game and are now 11-3 in their last 14 matches, they ESPN broadcasters agreed on national media that they do not have faith in them. Doesn’t matter how strong Giannis Antetokounmpo is, they believe the Bucks won’t get passed some of their Eastern Conference rivals in the playoffs.

The panel, which is comprised by the famous quartet of Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal, was thought to disappear after TNT Sports lost their broadcasting right to NBA matches. However, t was confirmed last month that they will all appear on ESPN and ABC on a new contract starting this next 2025-26 season.

Shaq & Chuck aren't buying in to the Milwaukee hype this season 🫣 pic.twitter.com/PMWpAChoFR

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 10, 2024

Not only is Milwaukee’s two-time MVP going for his third campaign in a row of averaging at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, the team is also among the competition’s best in efficiency from beyond the arc, mostly supported by Taurean Prince and AJ Green.

Shaquille O’Neal believes this is not enough. “It’s (Antetokoumpo’s) job and his responsibility, not Doc Rivers. It’s his job and Dame’s job to get the guys on track, playing well, and they’ve been doing that,” said the Hall of Famer. “But, do they have enough to win the championship? I say no.”

Charles Barkley then couldn’t help himself but to agree with his co-host, then explaining his take on why the Bucks won’t even be able to compete in their conference. “You’re not gonna beat Boston, you’re not gonna beat the Knicks, you’re not gonna beat the Orlando Magic when they’re healthy,” he shared last night.

Chuck then added: “They got one guy who’s athletic. And the way the game is played, your wing defenders have to be terrific, and they don’t have it. And that’s one of the reasons … they’re not a contender, Shaq is 100% correct.”

Even though Kenny Smith praised the way the Bucks have comeback this season, they eventually agreed they aren’t strong enough to beat the Celtics

As a healthy panel should, not everyone agreed entirely with Chuck and Shaq’s take, as Kenny Smith credited how Milwaukee has turned things around this campaign, currently on an eight-game winning streak. He said, this is “who they are. This is the team you’re gonna have to play come playoff time.”

“At the start of the season everyone was … calling phones and saying, “Hey, how do we get Giannis?’ Smith continued. “I didn’t believe in that. … With (Khris) Middleton being out, Dame being a veteran, Giannis being a veteran, it would take time to kind of, like, get into the season. … They’re really here now.”

To what O’Neal immediately countered with: “Can they beat Boston or the Knicks?” Kenny didn’t even flinch, “Yes, I think they could, I would say the Knicks are favored, but wouldn’t be much favored by.”

The panel was able to agree all together that they could probably take on the Knicks. However, when talking about the reining champions, the Cavaliers, or even a healthy Magic team, Barkley has his doubts. “I’m not sure they can beat Cleveland,” he said. “And if Orlando is healthy, they can’t beat Orlando in a seven-game series.”