Chicago Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks: Position-By-Position Preview For The Playoffs
By Fuad Ahad
Small Forward: Mike Dunleavy Jr. vs Giannis Antetokounmpo
Apr 1, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks to shoot against Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
This is the classic young versus old scenario, inexperienced sophomore versus wise veteran. Antetokounmpo is a physical specimen; his length and athleticism are bewildering even in a league full of athletic freaks. But he is nowhere near being able to use these “god-given” physical features on the basketball court to his highest potential.
Where Giannis is still in a developmental phase, Dunleavy Jr. is the complete opposite. He’s been through this for 15 years now and has been to the playoffs in three of those years. He has unfortunately been on bad teams most of his career, but that’s exactly why he came to Chicago last season.
Giannis will become a force to be reckoned with at some point in his career, but it’s doubtful to happen by the time the playoffs are here. Dunleavy is much too experienced and has probably written a couple of pages in the old book of NBA tricks, so he shouldn’t have that big of an issue adjusting to Antetokounmpo’s length and athleticism whenever necessary.
Advantage: Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Next: Joakim Noah vs. Ersan Ilyasova