Former Boston Celtics championship center and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins has made a bold prediction, selecting the rival Milwaukee Bucks as the team to emerge from the Eastern Conference and win the NBA Championship in June. This announcement was made during the October 27 edition of ESPN’s First Take.

When asked if the Bucks had convinced him that they were the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, Perkins unreservedly declared his support for them. He had already picked the Bucks to win the Eastern Conference, and he went a step further, predicting them to secure the NBA Championship.

Perkins’ prediction is a tough pill to swallow for Boston Celtics fans, especially considering his significant role in the Celtics’ 2008 NBA Championship-winning team. While fans appreciate his contributions and support over the years, there’s a sense of disappointment hearing such a lack of faith from someone who experienced the joy of Boston’s championship victories.

The Boston Celtics boast one of the most impressive starting lineups on paper, featuring Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis, all capable of scoring 25 points on any given night. Despite the formidable competition from the Bucks, who have star players like Giannis and Lillard, the Celtics are considered deeper and should be recognized as the team to beat in the East and the NBA.

While it’s acknowledged that the Bucks pose a significant challenge, the Celtics possess more than enough firepower to go head-to-head with them, making them a formidable contender in the Eastern Conference and beyond.