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Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin

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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1121 » by msiris » Mon Apr 21, 2025 4:39 am

German Athens wrote:I think the move that was almost assuredly out there would have been 23 to dump Pat at last draft.

I don’t really think they’ve had a longer term vision for quite awhile, though. They just routinely make panic trades while players are at their lowest value.
Two things. 1st. I think the 23rd was too valuable by itself for a salary dump. Apparently AJ wasn't valued enough by teams since he was a long shot to help us in a salary dump. 2nd I don't that they ever fully evaluate anything long term. I just wonder how much Bobbys mess played in this trade? I could see them saying oh we need to replace bobby for 25 games or it really must have killed any trade value. If so then he really didn think this out really well. The Bobby mess really messed up everything just more than missing 25 game. Thanks Bobby. Lol
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1122 » by RiotPunch » Mon Apr 21, 2025 5:34 am

emunney wrote:
ShootingtheJ wrote:
paulpressey25 wrote:Kuzma is having some sort of mental issue. Guys who average back to back 21ppg seasons and looked extremely active and motivated his first two weeks here don’t just fall off the edge of a cliff. We’re in some sort of Ben Simmons situation here.


He's just in terrible shape.


Seems like a chicken-or-egg situation to me.

Perhaps a goose egg?
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1123 » by LUKE23 » Mon Apr 21, 2025 3:25 pm

Kuzma, among 179 players that qualify, is 179th in WS/48. And we targeted him AND gave up AJ Johnson, the first rookie we have had in years with potential. Just an amazingly terrible trade.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1124 » by GoldenAntlers » Mon Apr 21, 2025 3:47 pm

ShootingtheJ wrote:
paulpressey25 wrote:Kuzma is having some sort of mental issue. Guys who average back to back 21ppg seasons and looked extremely active and motivated his first two weeks here don’t just fall off the edge of a cliff. We’re in some sort of Ben Simmons situation here.


He's just in terrible shape.
I can't imagine getting paid millions of dollars to play a game I love, at the highest level, and not be motivated to be in peak physical condition. Just sad.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1125 » by msiris » Mon Apr 21, 2025 5:40 pm

GoldenAntlers wrote:
ShootingtheJ wrote:
paulpressey25 wrote:Kuzma is having some sort of mental issue. Guys who average back to back 21ppg seasons and looked extremely active and motivated his first two weeks here don’t just fall off the edge of a cliff. We’re in some sort of Ben Simmons situation here.


He's just in terrible shape.
I can't imagine getting paid millions of dollars to play a game I love, at the highest level, and not be motivated to be in peak physical condition. Just sad.
Really? You could say the same about Mids since he never was in peak physical condition either. But I agree that in general that most NBA players don't care about peak conditioning. But that is not all their fault either. Do teams have off year training programs? Do the players have too much power in their little union? Most of us work all year long and don't get 3 or 4 month vaction. Lol
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1126 » by German Athens » Mon Apr 21, 2025 5:52 pm

As a fan of Wes Edens, I gotta know how often he plays sudoku, or do you think he’s more a minesweeper man?

These are important questions.

Mind the game vs mind the broom, imo.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1127 » by chonestown » Mon Apr 21, 2025 6:12 pm

When one of the Bucks original triumvirate of owners is caught throwin down on a Arby-Q that's when I say "Wes eatin'" feel free to use no big deal
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1128 » by Istanbullus » Mon Apr 21, 2025 6:41 pm

msiris wrote:
GoldenAntlers wrote:
ShootingtheJ wrote:
He's just in terrible shape.
I can't imagine getting paid millions of dollars to play a game I love, at the highest level, and not be motivated to be in peak physical condition. Just sad.
Really? You could say the same about Mids since he never was in peak physical condition either. But I agree that in general that most NBA players don't care about peak conditioning. But that is not all their fault either. Do teams have off year training programs? Do the players have too much power in their little union? Most of us work all year long and don't get 3 or 4 month vaction. Lol


One thing we never bring up about Mids is his 3rd degree torn hamstring. It doesn't matter if surgery is successful. That kind of injury is always going to slow you down in the long run and stress other parts of your body.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1129 » by Milbucks96 » Mon Apr 21, 2025 6:59 pm

LUKE23 wrote:Kuzma, among 179 players that qualify, is 179th in WS/48. And we targeted him AND gave up AJ Johnson, the first rookie we have had in years with potential. Just an amazingly terrible trade.

I thought he was bad in Washington mainly because of the environment and motivation. Like I knew he was meh even at his best but didn’t think he was just bad. He has no touch from anywhere on the floor, he’s not a good defender, and he’s not really that athletic for his position. He’s legit a bad nba player.

It’s not even about Khris at this point anymore but we would have a better chance of winning this series if he was here hurt on the bench.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1130 » by msiris » Mon Apr 21, 2025 7:17 pm

Istanbullus wrote:
msiris wrote:
GoldenAntlers wrote:I can't imagine getting paid millions of dollars to play a game I love, at the highest level, and not be motivated to be in peak physical condition. Just sad.
Really? You could say the same about Mids since he never was in peak physical condition either. But I agree that in general that most NBA players don't care about peak conditioning. But that is not all their fault either. Do teams have off year training programs? Do the players have too much power in their little union? Most of us work all year long and don't get 3 or 4 month vaction. Lol


One thing we never bring up about Mids is his 3rd degree torn hamstring. It doesn't matter if surgery is successful. That kind of injury is always going to slow you down in the long run and stress other parts of your body.
True. But if he had been more of a work out warrior earlier could he have prevented such injuries? They get millions toplay a games. Teams should off season workout schedules for players.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1131 » by CharityStripe34 » Mon Apr 21, 2025 7:19 pm

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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1132 » by GoldenAntlers » Mon Apr 21, 2025 7:26 pm

msiris wrote:
GoldenAntlers wrote:
ShootingtheJ wrote:
He's just in terrible shape.
I can't imagine getting paid millions of dollars to play a game I love, at the highest level, and not be motivated to be in peak physical condition. Just sad.
Really? You could say the same about Mids since he never was in peak physical condition either. But I agree that in general that most NBA players don't care about peak conditioning. But that is not all their fault either. Do teams have off year training programs? Do the players have too much power in their little union? Most of us work all year long and don't get 3 or 4 month vaction. Lol
Didn't say I was surprised, just that it couldn't be me.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1133 » by Ron Swanson » Mon Apr 21, 2025 9:06 pm

The only silver lining to this trade continues to be that, it at least should get Horst and Doc fired, or at the very least illustrate Doc's complete lack of evaluation skills to ownership if they're seriously considering him for the POBO role. Not enough people were paying attention to the rumors last trade deadline. If the Wizards would have taken Bobby, Pat and that Portland 2nd last year, Kuzma would have been a Buck 14-months ago. Which is why this wasn't just *insert Pawn Stars meme* the best we could do with Khris. They actively targeted him as a player asset, and that's the frightening part.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1134 » by Prez » Mon Apr 21, 2025 9:10 pm

Kuzma might not be in perfect physical condition but he’s in more than good enough shape to be an effective player. The problem isn’t the shape he’s in, it’s straight up that he’s a dumb player and has serious skill limitations that any good team will exploit. Which is much more concerning.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1135 » by Iheartfootball » Mon Apr 21, 2025 9:53 pm

GoldenAntlers wrote:
ShootingtheJ wrote:
paulpressey25 wrote:Kuzma is having some sort of mental issue. Guys who average back to back 21ppg seasons and looked extremely active and motivated his first two weeks here don’t just fall off the edge of a cliff. We’re in some sort of Ben Simmons situation here.


He's just in terrible shape.
I can't imagine getting paid millions of dollars to play a game I love, at the highest level, and not be motivated to be in peak physical condition. Just sad.


I’m not here to excuse how poorly he’s played, but if Kuzma is struggling with a mood disorder, then the issue isn’t laziness or lack of motivation—it’s the absence of the right support structures. Motivation often follows action, and if neither he nor the organization is facilitating that process, then we’re just watching a slow unravel.

This is where culture matters. The Bucks may have a winning culture on paper, but it doesn’t seem to extend to investing in human capital—the same human capital that directly drives financial success. You can’t separate the two.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1136 » by MickeyDavis » Mon Apr 21, 2025 10:33 pm

Iheartfootball wrote:
GoldenAntlers wrote:
ShootingtheJ wrote:
He's just in terrible shape.
I can't imagine getting paid millions of dollars to play a game I love, at the highest level, and not be motivated to be in peak physical condition. Just sad.


I’m not here to excuse how poorly he’s played, but if Kuzma is struggling with a mood disorder, then the issue isn’t laziness or lack of motivation—it’s the absence of the right support structures. Motivation often follows action, and if neither he nor the organization is facilitating that process, then we’re just watching a slow unravel.

This is where culture matters. The Bucks may have a winning culture on paper, but it doesn’t seem to extend to investing in human capital—the same human capital that directly drives financial success. You can’t separate the two.

Curious why you say this. There are certainly issues with the product on the court but to say Kuzma isn't getting the right off the court support (and we really don't even know if he's having that type of issues) is a giant assumption.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1137 » by Baddy Chuck » Mon Apr 21, 2025 10:34 pm

MickeyDavis wrote:
Iheartfootball wrote:
GoldenAntlers wrote:I can't imagine getting paid millions of dollars to play a game I love, at the highest level, and not be motivated to be in peak physical condition. Just sad.


I’m not here to excuse how poorly he’s played, but if Kuzma is struggling with a mood disorder, then the issue isn’t laziness or lack of motivation—it’s the absence of the right support structures. Motivation often follows action, and if neither he nor the organization is facilitating that process, then we’re just watching a slow unravel.

This is where culture matters. The Bucks may have a winning culture on paper, but it doesn’t seem to extend to investing in human capital—the same human capital that directly drives financial success. You can’t separate the two.

Curious why you say this. There are certainly issues with the product on the court but to say Kuzma isn't getting the right off the court support (and we really don't even know if he's having that type of issues) is a giant assumption.

Jabari is autistic.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1138 » by Iheartfootball » Mon Apr 21, 2025 10:41 pm

MickeyDavis wrote:
Iheartfootball wrote:
GoldenAntlers wrote:I can't imagine getting paid millions of dollars to play a game I love, at the highest level, and not be motivated to be in peak physical condition. Just sad.


I’m not here to excuse how poorly he’s played, but if Kuzma is struggling with a mood disorder, then the issue isn’t laziness or lack of motivation—it’s the absence of the right support structures. Motivation often follows action, and if neither he nor the organization is facilitating that process, then we’re just watching a slow unravel.

This is where culture matters. The Bucks may have a winning culture on paper, but it doesn’t seem to extend to investing in human capital—the same human capital that directly drives financial success. You can’t separate the two.

Curious why you say this. There are certainly issues with the product on the court but to say Kuzma isn't getting the right off the court support (and we really don't even know if he's having that type of issues) is a giant assumption.


That's why I added the "if". And it's because a few posters mentioned he might have "mental problems," aka mood disorders. Which present symptoms like: weight gain or loss and diminished ability to think or concentrate.

If we are throwing possible reasons for poor play at the wall, I would like to defend him a little with other possibilities. That's my only point.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1139 » by MickeyDavis » Mon Apr 21, 2025 10:47 pm

Baddy Chuck wrote:
MickeyDavis wrote:
Iheartfootball wrote:
I’m not here to excuse how poorly he’s played, but if Kuzma is struggling with a mood disorder, then the issue isn’t laziness or lack of motivation—it’s the absence of the right support structures. Motivation often follows action, and if neither he nor the organization is facilitating that process, then we’re just watching a slow unravel.

This is where culture matters. The Bucks may have a winning culture on paper, but it doesn’t seem to extend to investing in human capital—the same human capital that directly drives financial success. You can’t separate the two.

Curious why you say this. There are certainly issues with the product on the court but to say Kuzma isn't getting the right off the court support (and we really don't even know if he's having that type of issues) is a giant assumption.

Jabari is autistic.

Jabari was drafted 11 years ago, hard to compare that time to now.
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Re: Middleton/Johnson to Wash for Kuzma/Baldwin 

Post#1140 » by Baddy Chuck » Mon Apr 21, 2025 10:50 pm

MickeyDavis wrote:
Baddy Chuck wrote:
MickeyDavis wrote:Curious why you say this. There are certainly issues with the product on the court but to say Kuzma isn't getting the right off the court support (and we really don't even know if he's having that type of issues) is a giant assumption.

Jabari is autistic.

Jabari was drafted 11 years ago, hard to compare that time to now.

The more things change..
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