Bucks News, Trade Ideas, Transactions

[raferfenix]

AJ Green looking so rough comes in the context of Doc making a deal of how good his summer was.

Giannis talked up AJJ + Smith and was generally hyping up the kids but I read less into that since last year this time he was giving MarJon a vote of confidence.

I don’t think anybody gave that much lip service to Ajax comparatively. Am most disappointed that he’s not showing anything real on defense yet.

[emunney]

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.

Rollins and Rollins, Attorneys at Law

[emunney]

Rollins, Pasecniks, and Umude are all Bucks, fwiw.

[raferfenix]

Do we think Pat’s for real showing signs of life?

Doc’s Bill Simmons interview that felt like an audition right before we hired him stood out to me for a number of reasons. How high he was on Connaughton back then at least in particular.

And if our young guys can’t cut it we’ll need that much more help on the wings.

[rayallenscalves]

Rollins, Pasecniks, and Umude are all Bucks, fwiw.

On 2-ways, though, so not the same as the others. Those three are more fawns than Bucks at this point.

[Ron Swanson]

Pat's sneakily always improving something in his game (last season it was the corner-3). This season and the 2nd half of last, he's looking like a half-way decent pick & roll operator, which is pretty crazy considering how we used to joke about how bad the "Point Pat" sets were. The rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.

[fansinceforever]

Do we think Pat’s for real showing signs of life?

Doc’s Bill Simmons interview that felt like an audition right before we hired him stood out to me for a number of reasons. How high he was on Connaughton back then at least in particular.

And if our young guys can’t cut it we’ll need that much more help on the wings.

He looked very solid last night but I'd argue he's just the best of a horrific situation.

[machu46]

Pat's sneakily always improving something in his game (last season it was the corner-3). This season and the 2nd half of last, he's looking like a half-way decent pick & roll operator, which is pretty crazy considering how we used to joke about how bad the "Point Pat" sets were. The rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.

I remember several pick and roll reps last year where I simply could not believe it was Pat doing it.

[rayallenscalves]

Pat's sneakily always improving something in his game (last season it was the corner-3). This season and the 2nd half of last, he's looking like a half-way decent pick & roll operator, which is pretty crazy considering how we used to joke about how bad the "Point Pat" sets were. The rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.

I remember several pick and roll reps last year where I simply could not believe it was Pat doing it.

Pat, in addition to his role on the wing, is probably our third PG this year. I'd give him those minutes over AJJ at this point.

[PG Graveyard]

It’s still shocking to me how gullible the nba media is. Giannis makes a funny quip about how he may get traded if the Bucks don’t perform and now they are hyperventilating about how this is Giannis slow playing a trade request. Only people more gullible may be political reporters

[Prez]

It’s still shocking to me how gullible the nba media is. Giannis makes a funny quip about how he may get traded if the Bucks don’t perform and now they are hyperventilating about how this is Giannis slow playing a trade request. Only people more gullible may be political reporters

It’s not them being gullible, it’s them taking a quote out of context purely for clicks/views. They know it’s a meaningless quote, the intent of posting it out of context is to drive engagement.

[RRyder823]

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.

I stopped reading after this cause I can't seriously believe anyone typed this out and isn't trolling.

Teams can deal with minor injuries. We lost our best and our 2nd best also got injured. (Hell the fact that they won a single PO game with both out was litterally historic).

Stop trolling or use green font.

The fact you want to pretend the Bucks played bully ball with Giannis out is either a masterfull troll or supreme arrogance



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[Ron Swanson]

Yeah, had to look it up but the fact that we were literally the first team in NBA history to win a playoff game without our two best scorers probably isn't getting talked about enough. That was with Gallinari and current Israeli League star Pat-Bev playing a combined 57-minutes mind you. Don't understand how anyone can still glean anything based off that series. If anything that should probably make you feel better about the supporting pieces still on the squad plus the upgrades we made.

[-Jragon-]

I remember when Lazard couldn't get on the field and was back and forth on the practice squad until Rodgers told the coach... let that guy play because I trust he'll catch it.

I doubt Doc will rotate any young guy we have in unless Dame/Giannis ask for it. None of them look trustworthy now, but maybe someone starts showing something in practices as we go.

[Bernman]

For the young guys:

All, except Marjon, will look better playing off the core so they have to create less. That's even true of Johnson. I think you have to limit his ball-handling & decision-making right now, even in the G-League. I hope Rollins is enough. It was suspect in SL.

I think Green & Jackson will have situational roles thru the playoffs. W/ Green, he could be played on hot streaks, sat otherwise, ala Forbes. Jackson could help us match up w/ Boston as a necessary evil big wing/garbage man. Otherwise he sits.

Marjon obviously didn't show enough for the Bucks to justify picking up his option.

W/ Livingston, it was really odd how he got so little opportunity in the preseason. He seemed to be progressing. Last yr he had a couple regular season moments. He needs to take those limited chances to be useful.

Smith is useless for winning now, if he'll ever be useful. Not a fan.

1/3 of this roster is dead weight cuz of the suspect talent evaluation of Horst & his focus on developmental pieces beyond the vets. You might just want to sell a couple, if you can, to try to have 1-2 more playable options this season.

[LUKE23]

While I agree the young talent is massively lacking on this roster, I'm not sure how much we need them without injuries.

Lillard/Wright
Trent, Jr./Wright
Midds/PC
GA/Prince
Lopez/Portis

I definitely see the need for another ball handler, as many have stated. But I do see that bench as upgraded over last year, along with starting SG also being upgraded. We could also use a mobile athletic guy that can play C, but those are hard to find at this stage. I think we are going to see a lot more small lineups this year.

To me, Johnson's role, if he's going to play this year, is as a ball handler and facilitator, not as a scorer. He has shown he's not ready there both mentally and physically. But surprisingly, he has been a solid defender, and the ball handling and speed are evident. He may play just out of necessity in those roles.

I agree with Bern on Livingston. I thought he looked good in SL and has a definite role as a energy/hustle/defender who won't waste usage on offense. Don't know why he played so little in preseason. He's definitely got more to offer than Beauchamp or Smith.

[MickeyDavis]

I remember when Lazard couldn't get on the field and was back and forth on the practice squad until Rodgers told the coach... let that guy play because I trust he'll catch it.

I doubt Doc will rotate any young guy we have in unless Dame/Giannis ask for it. None of them look trustworthy now, but maybe someone starts showing something in practices as we go.

I'll leave the decision on who plays and how much to Doc, rather than Giannis and Dame.

[MickeyDavis]

I understand we had a slew of guys to play and only 4 preseason games. And starters playing a chunk of those minutes. But Livingston only playing 3 games and 22 total minutes is interesting. I wasn't expecting him to be an immediate rotation player but I expected him to get a longer look in the preseason.

[Bernman]

Injuries happen, especially to this team. So you have to account for that. Also, you need to adjust for players proving unplayable in the playoffs due to mentality, match-ups, age. 8 projected rotation guys becomes 6. So we can use all the help we can get.

[Ron Swanson]

Dump Pa Cheese Nick and go get Kenny "not THAT Kenny Lofton" Lofton Jr. on our last two-way contract.