The Official Playoffs Thread

[europa]

I guess I am just trying to say that I am very pleased with getting Luc last year in the second round... If we get a second rounder like him every year, that'd be excellent.

I think M&M was better than most first-round picks this season and definitely some lottery picks (and not just Alexander). If he develops his offensive game, his potential will grow even more.

[paul]

I guess I am just trying to say that I am very pleased with getting Luc last year in the second round... If we get a second rounder like him every year, that'd be excellent.

I think M&M was better than most first-round picks this season and definitely some lottery picks (and not just Alexander). If he develops his offensive game, his potential will grow even more.

I agree entirely with what you and Luke have said on this - honestly if Luc was picked at 8 I don't think anyone would be terribly disappointed with him. That doesn't make the JA pick any better mind you but I would say that as monumentally screwed as the JA pick seems to have been when considering a couple of the guys taken after him the Luc pick was just as monumentally brilliant going the other way. Luc will be a key glue guy on a contending team one day whether it be with the Bucks or someone else, book it.

[LUKE23]

I think he could turn out to be one of the best sixth men in the NBA or a solid starter for us if we have diverse offense at the PF spot. I don't think you can survive offensively with him/banger PF with no range or diverse offensive skills/Bogut in the frontcourt. If you are starting LRMAM with Bogut, I think you need to have a PF with some jumpshooting ability and ability to drive the basketball, so you can space the court better.

But I think he's already an elite wing defender, and if he stays at his correct position, SF, he can be an elite rebounder at that spot as well (8.3 rebounds per 36 minutes as a rookie).

My only concern is that they try and play him at PF next year. He's not a PF, he's a SF. He can handle PF in stretches, but he's better guarding the perimeter than he is the post.

[paul]

I think he could turn out to be one of the best sixth men in the NBA or a solid starter for us if we have diverse offense at the PF spot. I don't think you can survive offensively with him/banger PF with no range or diverse offensive skills/Bogut in the frontcourt. If you are starting LRMAM with Bogut, I think you need to have a PF with some jumpshooting ability and ability to drive the basketball, so you can space the court better.

But I think he's already an elite wing defender, and if he stays at his correct position, SF, he can be an elite rebounder at that spot as well (8.3 rebounds per 36 minutes as a rookie).

My only concern is that they try and play him at PF next year. He's not a PF, he's a SF. He can handle PF in stretches, but he's better guarding the perimeter than he is the post.

Fortunately for him the league continues to move further and further into the world of perimeter based PF's then Luke. Out of the 30 nba teams next season he'll likely be able to match up on at least 15 starting PF's who spend the majority of their time outside the paint and most of the one's who don't would present a size problem for him that would mean he likely wouldn't match up on them anyway.

[europa]

And according to the data on 82games.com, many of the Bucks' most successful lineups this season came when M&M was the PF. I don't think he's the long-term answer there but I do think the Bucks can survive in the short term with him as long as there's quality depth behind him.

[LUKE23]

That is fine, but I want his defense out on the perimeter. He's better on the perimeter anyway, and it will keep him less susceptible to injuries. Plus, I think perimeter defenders like him are harder to find than banger/post defender types.

If we get a skilled PF this offseason, overall I'd be satisfied with a Sessions/Redd/RJ/skilled PF/Bogut/LRMAM top 6. But PF is a major concern to me as of right now. The Bucks won't be able to get by with LRMAM as their #1 PF next year, IMO.

[LUKE23]

And according to the data on 82games.com, many of the Bucks' most successful lineups this season came when M&M was the PF. I don't think he's the long-term answer there but I do think the Bucks can survive in the short term with him as long as there's quality depth behind him.

Depends what the definition of "survive" is. If you play LRMAM big minutes at PF you're asking for injury there, IMO.

[paul]

And according to the data on 82games.com, many of the Bucks' most successful lineups this season came when M&M was the PF. I don't think he's the long-term answer there but I do think the Bucks can survive in the short term with him as long as there's quality depth behind him.

Depends what the definition of "survive" is. If you play LRMAM big minutes at PF you're asking for injury there, IMO.

Possibly, then again I'd say he's in better physical condition to deal with playing PF than CV is and despite his injury problems in the past he played 78 this season and his only absence came through a hamstring strain.

I don't think Luc is ready to play 82 games at PF, but I don't think there's any way he will even if he's our starter there. You look at the teams that he'd really struggle to matchup the PF physically - against Utah he'd guard Okur while Bogut would guard Boozer as he always does, against SA Bogut will guard Timmy as he always does and so on and against any team with an outstanding 3 he'll guard them anyway (Cle, LA, Bos, Ind etc). What he won't give you is a starting PF who is locked in to a certain role on the team and has the offense run through him on the block etc like Boozer or Brand gives you, but what he does give you is outstanding flexibility on the defensive end.

If our starting lineup next season has the scoring power of Redd, RJ, Ramon and Bogut then we really don't need scoring from the 4, but I would at least like a solid big body to back him up. I could see them sticking with Elson/Allen and bringing in a guy like Hendrix who will cost nothing and has some upside, if he's got a head on his shoulders that is.

[LUKE23]

Possibly, then again I'd say he's in better physical condition to deal with playing PF than CV is and despite his injury problems in the past he played 78 this season and his only absence came through a hamstring strain.

Defensively yes, but there are two sides to the court. I've said it several times this year and will continue to say it, LRMAM/CV/Bogut is about as ideal of a frontcourt trio as you can get in terms of mix of offense/defense and overall skills. It's not going to happen in all likelihood, but to me once LRMAM becomes the starter at SF, you need a diverse offensive PF. But that might be three years off anyway, so who knows.

I don't think Luc is ready to play 82 games at PF, but I don't think there's any way he will even if he's our starter there. You look at the teams that he'd really struggle to matchup the PF physically - against Utah he'd guard Okur while Bogut would guard Boozer as he always does, against SA Bogut will guard Timmy as he always does and so on and against any team with an outstanding 3 he'll guard them anyway (Cle, LA, Bos, Ind etc). What he won't give you is a starting PF who is locked in to a certain role on the team and has the offense run through him on the block etc like Boozer or Brand gives you, but what he does give you is outstanding flexibility on the defensive end.

Well, assuming we don't draft another PF or trade for one (I think that is unlikely, but just hypothetical), LRMAM would have to start at PF. And you're right, we would need another body behind him besides Allen/Alexander/Elson, and that is where the numbers crunch salary-wise comes into play. In my opinion, if the Bucks are going to be a threat to do anything in the playoffs, LRMAM cannot be their starting PF. He needs to be the 6th man backup at SF and in some cases, PF.

If our starting lineup next season has the scoring power of Redd, RJ, Ramon and Bogut then we really don't need scoring from the 4, but I would at least like a solid big body to back him up. I could see them sticking with Elson/Allen and bringing in a guy like Hendrix who will cost nothing and has some upside, if he's got a head on his shoulders that is

I think that lineup should be good offensively, but I wouldn't say we don't need scoring from the 4.

[europa]

Leon Powe's done for the postseason with a torn ACL.

[paul]

Leon Powe's done for the postseason with a torn ACL.

And a good portion of next season I'd suggest if that' the case.

[jerrod]

Leon Powe's done for the postseason with a torn ACL.

or did the celtics just remove it so it could be put into kg's leg?

[paul]

Leon Powe's done for the postseason with a torn ACL.

or did the celtics just remove it so it could be put into kg's leg?

Steve Austin? Man 6 million dollars sounds cheap nowadays doesn't it, I doubt they'd make that show about Dan Gadzuric......

[WEFFPIM]

So, I just saw highlights of the Bulls-Celtics series, was that Kevin Garnett attempting to taunt the Bulls at the end there by resembling an Easter Island head?

You know, when he was in Minnesota he was not nearly as annoying and (Please Use More Appropriate Word).

[europa]

In the ongoing debate about who's better - Bogut or Bynum? - it's been reported that Bynum is now dating Rihanna.

If this report is true, Bynum wins going away.

[worthlessBucks]

So not necessary for the TNT scoreboard to make a sound every time there's a score.

[Ayt]

So not necessary for the TNT scoreboard to make a sound every time there's a score.

Isn't that in the stadium when the shot clock is running down?

Edit: Actually I just turned it up and heard what you are hearing.

[lawrybeard]

Wonder what the record is for the fewest free throws attempted by a team in a 4 game series is?

[Buck You]

Mo "I don't consider the other time I was in the playoffs real playoff games."

WOW.

[midranger]

Mo Williams not a fan of the Milwaukee Bucks.

"That was my first playoff game. i don't count those other ones as real playoff games."