Giannis Antetokounmpo knows it is tough to win a championship. Giannis knows it is even tougher when you do not get home court throughout the playoffs. Instead, you’re playing in Orlando, Florida for three months. Antetokounmpo said yesterday that the Orlando visit would be ‘harder than a regular championship.’ Whether he is right or wrong will be debated on the podcast later today (Late release show, beers & podcast!) but what matters more than anything in Orlando is team chemistry. Bucks have a ton of it, and that matters for Orlando.

Bucks are a team that likes each other. It is evident. Giannis has a great relationship with Pat Connaughton. Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton are like brothers. Robin and Brook Lopez are actual brothers. George Hill seems to be everyone’s friend. There is not a turd in the punch bowl. This is important for Orlando. Take into consideration that the Bucks will be their own friends for three months. Sure, they may link up with other NBA players, but at the end of the day, it is the time spent with your teammates.

This is the exact reason why I do not get the love for the Philadelphia 76ers. Their team chemistry was complete shit all season. And now you want to sell me on the idea that they can be friends/teammates for three months? No thanks. The same goes for the Los Angeles Clippers. They have not gelled to the level of top competition with the copious amounts of missed games from Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. If I were one of these teams, my goal would be team bonding from the start and see if you can everyone on board with the Orlando travel.

Some people might shake off team chemistry, but it’s a real thing. And in a situation like this one, this becomes very important. The fact Milwaukee has a togetherness about them should not be forgotten when people are making their picks for the NBA Finals.

Charlie.