Bucks/NBA Prediction Thread - Locks at 6:00 p.m.

[rilamann]

It's all about HEALTH when the playoffs arrive. Nothing else matters. A healthy Bucks team will win it all. My prediction: Unprecedented load management and just barely sneaks into the playoffs (6-7 seed). The problem? Karma. Still not healthy and a 1st round exit.

The Bucks are in a no-win situation. The only way they will still be healthy by the time we get to April is if they load manage a ton over the next 5 months.

But then if you load manage a ton, it's actually going to make guys more susceptible to injuries when they ramp it up. Not to mention, if you load manage a ton you're not going to have great chemistry and continuity as a team when you get to the playoffs.

Plus these aren't the Bucks of 2019/2020/2021 ect. If this current Bucks team tries to coast and load manage, they might not even make the playoffs. The Bucks only missed the play-in by 2 games last season and that was with pretty good health up until the final week of the season when Giannis went down.

Ironically, the whole reason Giannis got hurt was because we were pushing him due to the fact we couldn't beat teams like the Wizards, Grizzlies and Raptors in the final 2 weeks of the season.

I still do a WTF when I think back to the Raptors coming in 1-17 in their previous 18 and riding a 15 game losing streak and beating us at Fiserv last April. Although the Raptors did beat us behind a big game by Trent, so I guess that sort of makes me feel a little better about it since he is a Buck now....lol.

[SirChurros]

45-37

Honestly, pretty pessimistic about this team. I think our window is pretty much closed but the seal isn’t great and there’s a leak still there.

Everything has to go right for this team to win a title and I don’t like those odds. Way too many variables. We made some improvements to our rotational pieces but they still don’t feel like guys you can rely on during a title run.

Not being all doom and gloom, just realistic.

[Siefer]

Dam there is a lot of negative predictions lol
This team was 30-13 with griffin as coach and this team with Doc having a training camp plus Dame 2nd year Trent for Beasley. And wright Prince for crowder Gallo this team is just deeper and better.

There are a plenty of optimistic predictions too! 30-13 record under Griffin was very misleading tbf and we got worse under Doc.

They had a worse record, but I don't think they were a worse team. I don't love everything Doc did (offensive pace, where/when we were getting into action, and pushing Giannis and Dame hard), but I also saw a team trying to use the back half of a season against one of the toughest schedules in the league as an impromptu second training camp. It was ugly stuff, and then yeah, injuries took them out. Middleton was on two sprained ankles and he was the healthiest of our top 3 guys.

The Griffin hire was a total disaster, and I'm trying to think of a recent comparison with a contender blowing up a season with a coaching move like that. I'm surprised Horst survived it to be honest.

[emunney]

Dam there is a lot of negative predictions lol
This team was 30-13 with griffin as coach and this team with Doc having a training camp plus Dame 2nd year Trent for Beasley. And wright Prince for crowder Gallo this team is just deeper and better.

There are a plenty of optimistic predictions too! 30-13 record under Griffin was very misleading tbf and we got worse under Doc.

They had a worse record, but I don't think they were a worse team. I don't love everything Doc did (offensive pace, where/when we were getting into action, and pushing Giannis and Dame hard), but I also saw a team trying to use the back half of a season against one of the toughest schedules in the league as an impromptu second training camp. It was ugly stuff, and then yeah, injuries took them out. Middleton was on two sprained ankles and he was the healthiest of our top 3 guys.

The Griffin hire was a total disaster, and I'm trying to think of a recent comparison with a contender blowing up a season with a coaching move like that. I'm surprised Horst survived it to be honest.

I feel like Horst surviving it is the surest sign it was not his call.

[neiLz]

Season 55-27
3rd seed
Bucks in six in every round.
ECF over Celtics
Finals rematch over PHX

[paulpressey25]

But I can't see this team making a serious run in the playoffs. They're too old, too injured and too flawed.

Bucks are still hilariously relying on Middleton too much, who in the rare instance when can even suit up, is a shadow of the guy he once was.

Generally agree with your pessimism as to title chances. Disagree that Middleton is a shadow. I think he is an impact player even now, but he can’t stay on the court.

We’re going to have fun watching Bud. He’s going to fix the Suns.

[raferfenix]

Dame's locked in ready for a career year.

He knows this might be his last best chance to lead a team to a chip and acts accordingly.

Giannis and Dame run roughshod over the league.

GTJ shows how bad Beasley was here and steps up to fill the void when Khris load manages / falls apart.

Doc figures out the defense. Shouldn't be so hard for a team with Giannis.

Horst picks up another wing defender with an aggressive midseason trade.

Bucks in 6.

Haters gonna hate and we got plenty of time for that. Gonna hope while we can.

[GrandAdmiralDan]

Bucks 62-20. Win Championship.
Giannis MVP, 1st Team All-NBA, 1st Team All-NBA Defense.
Dame 3rd Team All-NBA.
Brook 2nd Team All-NBA Defense
Giannis and Dame All-Stars.

East
1. Bucks
2. Celtics
3. Knicks
4. Sixers
5. Pacers
6. Cavs
7. Magic

West
1. OKC
2. Dallas
3. Denver
4. Phoenix
5. Minnesota
6. Lakers
7. Golden State

[JayMKE]

I suck at predictions since I either entirely a homer or too pessimistic but I'll get in before the buzzer here.

Frustrating 50-32 with lots of load management and not much time with Giannis-Dame-Khris playing together, defense is better but offense under-performs with too many guys wanting to pound the ball & take shots, khris is progressing half the season but doesn't play or practice, we wear our alternates on mismatched court more than normal jerseys, 100 page Bobby trade rumor at the deadline that doesn't happen, some solo MVP performances from Giannis & Dame, Marjon gets moved in minor deal, 2nd round exit, Thanasis is brought back & everything gets ran back again next season

or 60 wins, Giannis 3rd MVP, AJ Johnson is contributor in rotation as a rookie, GTJ becomes a defensive stopper, Giannis-Dame-Khris are all stars, finals win in 6 over Luka after gentleman sweeping Boston, Doc retires as champion, Lisa takes a national TV job, Novak lets it slip and is banned from Bucks broadcasts replaced by Brandon Jennings.