re: dysfunction -- overrated when you get to the postseason. Everyone gets on the same page, because issues don't matter any longer. Winning does. The dysfunction over roles in Boston doesn't exist now. Everyone knows that in the clutch, the two main options are Irving and Tatum. Everyone else gets behind. And you saw that in the first round. That will continue. Dysfunction goes away when you win.
The Bucks are so good. And they have flexibility to do whatever they want moving forward, roster-wise. As long as Giannis stays there, and I see no reason why he'd leave, given what I've seen in public about his persona, the Bucks are going to be legitimate title contenders for the next 10 years, as long as they continue to put the right pieces around him.
Honestly, this match-up is the best of the second round in any conference. Toronto and Philly...eh. Will be good, not as good as Boston-Milwaukee, except for people in Toronto and Philly. I will say this...if Toronto doesn't beat the Sixers, Leonard is gone. And that whole team will be blown up. If Philly loses, I'd bet almost anything both Butler and Harris are gone. Harris will likely go to the Nets or the Knicks and head home (he's from my neck of the woods, I think he's from West Islip). Butler is going to go where he's gonna get paid and be a top dog. Not sure where that is, but that's where he's going.
But the best series is MIlwaukee and Boston. That's the eastern conference finals right there. Whatever team wins that is going to the NBA finals. Book it. No offense to Toronto and Philly fans. But those two teams are a step behind. I have no horse in the race, other than my disdain for Jimmy Butler, and my hatred of Boston sports in general (it killed me when KG went to the Celtics). But I call it as I see it.
Go Bucks!