Bucks News, Trade Ideas, Transactions

[BroncoBuck]

I still feel like the Bucks should’ve made a choice to move on from at least one of Brook/Khris and they realized they were too late on a Brook trade. Really feels like we kept the gang together for too long in a league that just keeps getting better.

I love what we’ve seen from AJ Johnson though, easily the most excited I have been for a Bucks rookie since DDV. He has to get minutes.

[nagawicka]

To me, and this is just going off the Bulls game, this team is going nowhere if Giannis insists on playing bully ball against double and triple teams in the halfcourt. We are at our best when he is moving the ball and moving his body off ball, and finding people. We are not winning a title with him just willing himself into the paint over and over. Lillard should be initiating the offense in the halfcourt with GA working off screens to start. GA can take the ball in transition.

By far the biggest thing I’m watching this season.

x1000
Bucks didn't lose b/c of injuries, they lost because bully ball can't beat real ball.

'We really won two titles, but Khris got injured'?
No.

[Daver]

Does anyone know if justin winslow has anything left in the tank.Eric nehm reported the bucks signed him to a extension 10 cobtract.Name sounds very fsmiliar

[benultimate]

I think everyone has wanted Justise Winslow on the roster at some stage or another.

Unfortunately, not this version of Justise.

[emunney]

I still think if Winslow's health is sorted out he can have a renaissance as a high level role player. That's not why you sign guys late in camp to Exhibit 10 deals, though.

[ReasonablySober]

Watch on YouTube

[Ron Swanson]

Watching the G-league highlights of Winslow and it's pretty sad at how much the injuries have robbed him of his athleticism. I don't really think there's much left there...

[mattg]

To me, and this is just going off the Bulls game, this team is going nowhere if Giannis insists on playing bully ball against double and triple teams in the halfcourt. We are at our best when he is moving the ball and moving his body off ball, and finding people. We are not winning a title with him just willing himself into the paint over and over. Lillard should be initiating the offense in the halfcourt with GA working off screens to start. GA can take the ball in transition.

By far the biggest thing I’m watching this season.

This is literally the only thing that matters with this team. If Giannis plays smart, team oriented basketball, we can contend. But he flat out has not done that since the title run, and that combined with his injuries (which are often caused by his low IQ and bad decision making) has meant this team has had a 2nd round ceiling. We aren't beating other elite teams with Giannis being rich man's Maggette offensively in style, it just isn't gonna happen even if he's got 64TS% on 30ppg.

Any other discussion is almost entirely meaningless, because even if every other possible thing goes 100% in our favor and every other player has a career year and perfect health, we aren't winning anything if Giannis is low IQ Giannis.

[FrieAaron]

x1000
Bucks didn't lose b/c of injuries, they lost because bully ball can't beat real ball.

'We really won two titles, but Khris got injured'?
No.

I mean, I don't disagree GIannis learning to do this less would be a huge breakthrough, but it's hard to agree this is the reason we lost when...he hasn't been healthy in the playoffs since he basically single-handedly took the team to 7 against the Celtics two seasons ago. We certainly didn't lose against the Pacers because bully ball didn't work.

[fansinceforever]

Giannis, unless you're talking about health, doesn't crack the top 5 issues with this team.

[nagawicka]

That's what we've been saying for the two seasons prior to this one. But the reality is you need him out there in the regular season so the team develops a chemistry and an identity going into the playoffs. Does he have to play 70 games? No. But his ability to play 70 games is a good sign he's over any issues.

For what it's worth, I agree with his take above that his injury stuff is not a result of him being out of shape. Think the issue is that he's got tendons/ligaments/cartilage that is just more prone to tears and strains. It is what it is. Maybe Jez can comment further on this.

This is 100... other teams got too good now and if they consistently have their top 3 guys (or 5) starting 65+ games together during the season then that chemistry will likely be the difference in a long series -- especially as you have to adjust to plan B and C since teams have days and days to scheme for you.

The Bucks haven't lost in the playoffs because of lack of chemistry, they've lost because of injury, and the inability to overcome injury because the remaining players couldn't handle their individual matchups. Brook, Hill and Beasley couldn't handle their man, Grayson, Jrue, and Crowder couldn't score.

The Bucks lost because bully ball is not team ball. Not injuries. That 'style' of play doesn't involve the guys on the floor much, and does zero to invest regular minutes in 6-9 spots, so there's no one polished or developed enough to step in . . . you know, in case someone . . .. gets injured. Imagine an NBA franchise having to deal with injuries. I can, can you? Dismissing playing a balanced game as 'chemistry' isn't honest. 'Injuries, so we woulda won' a) cannot be proven, b) repeating it over and over again doesn't mean we won the title that year (OR would have), and c) it isn't the test for winning championships. The injuries canard gets repeated so often around here that you'd think we actually won TWO titles under Giannis. Instead, the test is whether the next guy up can step into a team role seamlessly enough for the team to remain *functional*. Can't get back to that when you never started there. 'We woulda won if not for injuries' is an excuse and not a respectable or valid claim. Sure, things woulda been different. They weren't. Sure, Crowder, Hood, & Semi weren't silver bullets. But buying magic pieces off the shelf like this is Radio Shack or something never works and isn't winning ball. Their 3pt% doesn't matter before or after injuries hit b/c hating on Forbes or Beasely is weak as hell and evades the issue%. Easier than saying what we're all seeing, and easier than naming the flaws visible to the entire NBA, sure. Whether you like it or not, the whinefest isn't a good look, and that's being charitable; it's just blinding you to what works. Not real deep, lack of cohesion, depending on one guy, if that's what you're looking for in bb, Doc Rivers sees it differently.

[ReasonablySober]

The Bucks lost because bully ball is not team ball.

Bully ball won the Bucks a title.

[ShootingtheJ]

This is 100... other teams got too good now and if they consistently have their top 3 guys (or 5) starting 65+ games together during the season then that chemistry will likely be the difference in a long series -- especially as you have to adjust to plan B and C since teams have days and days to scheme for you.

The Bucks haven't lost in the playoffs because of lack of chemistry, they've lost because of injury, and the inability to overcome injury because the remaining players couldn't handle their individual matchups. Brook, Hill and Beasley couldn't handle their man, Grayson, Jrue, and Crowder couldn't score.

The Bucks lost because bully ball is not team ball. Not injuries. That 'style' of play doesn't involve the guys on the floor much, and does zero to invest regular minutes in 6-9 spots, so there's no one polished or developed enough to step in . . . you know, in case someone . . .. gets injured. Imagine an NBA franchise having to deal with injuries. I can, can you? Dismissing playing a balanced game as 'chemistry' isn't honest. 'Injuries, so we woulda won' a) cannot be proven, b) repeating it over and over again doesn't mean we won the title that year (OR would have), and c) it isn't the test for winning championships. The injuries canard gets repeated so often around here that you'd think we actually won TWO titles under Giannis. Instead, the test is whether the next guy up can step into a team role seamlessly enough for the team to remain *functional*. Can't get back to that when you never started there. 'We woulda won if not for injuries' is an excuse and not a respectable or valid claim. Sure, things woulda been different. They weren't. Sure, Crowder, Hood, & Semi weren't silver bullets. But buying magic pieces off the shelf like this is Radio Shack or something never works and isn't winning ball. Their 3pt% doesn't matter before or after injuries hit b/c hating on Forbes or Beasely is weak as hell and evades the issue%. Easier than saying what we're all seeing, and easier than naming the flaws visible to the entire NBA, sure. Whether you like it or not, the whinefest isn't a good look, and that's being charitable; it's just blinding you to what works. Not real deep, lack of cohesion, depending on one guy, if that's what you're looking for in bb, Doc Rivers sees it differently.

You thought the Bucks were playing bully ball the last 2 playoffs? With Giannis out?

I couldn't get any farther into that post.

[slos]

At least after some brutal summer league and preseason games we know a clear 9 men rotation that Doc will be using in the beginning of the season.

Dame (36)/Wright (12)
GTJ (32)/Pat (16)
Midds (32)/Prince (16)
Giannis (36)/Bobby (12)
Brook (32)/Bobby (16)

Watching Johnson/Green/Jackson/Marjon/Livingston/Smith play was not good most of the times, but I’m not giving up hope for anyone. It’s a total different story when all these guys play together and it will be something else when just one of them will be called to play with the Top 9 players.

FWIW Pat seems the winner from all these games. I mean he was the obvious candidate for a trade to skip the 2nd apron. I can see now a path with multiple cuts from players that won’t save themselves from Detroit and Charlotte till the deadline.

[Plossum]

Dame still sounds like a guys whose heart just isn't in it in Milwaukee.

I reckon if he had a redo on this whole situation he'd prob try a bit harder to make it work in Portland.

[Karsenmitsche]

Bucks missing on Ryan Dunn to take a shot on a guy who might be ready in 3 years is unforgivable.

Generational defensive prospect who fills the wing role we desperately need and now he’s shooting 45% from 3 on 7 attempts per game.

Him and Giannis would have terrorized teams next to eachother on defense.

Tough.

[Daver]

Dame still sounds like a guys whose heart just isn't in it in Milwaukee.

I reckon if he had a redo on this whole situation he'd prob try a bit harder to make it work in Portland.

Omfh jfc here we go again.This should be good.Whst exactly did dame say or not say that makes you think his heart doesnt wanna be here when all his actions this off season n his comments makes it sound like he does

[emunney]

The Bucks lost because bully ball is not team ball.

Bully ball won the Bucks a title.

No no, the important thing is that Giannis has the ball too much for Jae Crowder to develop

[rayallenscalves]

Let's play a fun, albeit mildly depressing game: Bottom 6 on the Bucks versus the top 6 on the Herd in a best of 7, right now.

Bucks: AJJ, AJ, AJax, Marjon, Smith, Livingston
Herd: Rollins, T. Davis, Umude, Winslow, AP, Rollins

I've got the Herd in a gentleman's sweep.

Jon Horst should never be allowed to draft again.

[nagawicka]

To me, and this is just going off the Bulls game, this team is going nowhere if Giannis insists on playing bully ball against double and triple teams in the halfcourt. We are at our best when he is moving the ball and moving his body off ball, and finding people. We are not winning a title with him just willing himself into the paint over and over. Lillard should be initiating the offense in the halfcourt with GA working off screens to start. GA can take the ball in transition.

By far the biggest thing I’m watching this season.

This is literally the only thing that matters with this team. If Giannis plays smart, team oriented basketball, we can contend. But he flat out has not done that since the title run, and that combined with his injuries (which are often caused by his low IQ and bad decision making) has meant this team has had a 2nd round ceiling. We aren't beating other elite teams with Giannis being rich man's Maggette offensively in style, it just isn't gonna happen even if he's got 64TS% on 30ppg.

Any other discussion is almost entirely meaningless, because even if every other possible thing goes 100% in our favor and every other player has a career year and perfect health, we aren't winning anything if Giannis is low IQ Giannis.

Exactly. 100%
That's why the Bucks lose. Not injuries. Not the 3pt% of the guy we signed to play a role.