PG Mavs - Bucks Take Care of Business

[-Jragon-]

With Brook being our only slow currently and Pat firmly on bench... our lineup is Doc proof.. for now. But yeah, keep being creative in adding more KPJ

Just nervous about what happens when Bobby comes back. As I <probably prematurely> said after game 2, post trade deadline, if this keeps up Bobbys' role should be lead cheerleader upon return. After all the clamoring for athleticism and foot speed, we finally get it and see immediate results. I like our chances to make a real run at this thing.

Bobby is still one of our better players, he just needs to take minutes from the right people. Most notably Prince and probably Sims as much as I like his energy.

If you have:

Dame 36
Giannis 34
Kuzma 33
Brook 30
Bobby 30
Prince 15

That leaves 62 mins to split between Kpj, Green and Trent depending on the matchup.

I would go with 24, 20, and 18 respectively most nights

The 2 main problems is that 1. Doc will go Brook/Bobby again and get us in a hole every game and 2. If we just always swap Brook and Bobby you get zero rim protection or anything defensively from Bobby so now you're taking away Sims which offers that. Bobby shoots well but we have plenty of guys that score points and don't need shooting that comes with slowness and zero defense. Also Bobby doesn't shoot lights out like Korver so you can just live with the slow/no D. Bobby coming back is a legit concern. Do you think Bobby catches those Sims lobs?

[-Jragon-]

I've long been on the "replace Bobby with an athletic big" train, but saying that KPJ plays within the flow of the offense is a massive exaggeration at best. Dude has a 27% usage rate right now and this current run is very reminiscent of those multi-game stretches where Bobby would be scorching the nets from mid-range. In a playoff series, you're gonna need to know when to pull both guys off the court lest they chuck you out of the game. They're very similar offensive players right down to the "emotional blowup" potential lol.

Read on Twitter

This is a good post because, 2nd team, it likely does come down to who do you want with the ball Bobby or KPJ... KPJ is a defender though, he draws fouls and he unlocks other guys seeming to instinctively know who is hot and keeps going there.. he got open 3 after open 3 for Dame and Green last night. Bobby instinctively does nothing except try to shoot some long 2s without drawing fouls... that, at best, keeps you close or tied in a game but it doesn't close teams out -- those misses are leading to fast breaks the other way.. I'd rather draw fouls and get the ball to 3 point shooters like KPJ does.

[Brewhoopfan]

I've long been on the "replace Bobby with an athletic big" train, but saying that KPJ plays within the flow of the offense is a massive exaggeration at best. Dude has a 27% usage rate right now and this current run is very reminiscent of those multi-game stretches where Bobby would be scorching the nets from mid-range. In a playoff series, you're gonna need to know when to pull both guys off the court lest they chuck you out of the game. They're very similar offensive players right down to the "emotional blowup" potential lol.

Read on Twitter

This is a good post because, 2nd team, it likely does come down to who do you want with the ball Bobby or KPJ... KPJ is a defender though, he draws fouls and he unlocks other guys seeming to instinctively know who is hot and keeps going there.. he got open 3 after open 3 for Dame and Green last night. Bobby instinctively does nothing except try to shoot some long 2s without drawing fouls... that, at best, keeps you close or tied in a game but it doesn't close teams out -- those misses are leading to fast breaks the other way.. I'd rather draw fouls and get the ball to 3 point shooters like KPJ does.

Almost all of KPJ's offensive value right now exists with the ball in his hands. There's regular season value in that with an expanded rotation, but I want no part of it in the playoffs. Off-ball, my eye test tells me he spends a lot of time getting in the way. He's shot a horrible percentage(24.4%) from 3 this season. Even worse, his 3 pt attempt rate is at a career low. Great addition, but not a playoff rotation piece.

[-Jragon-]

I've long been on the "replace Bobby with an athletic big" train, but saying that KPJ plays within the flow of the offense is a massive exaggeration at best. Dude has a 27% usage rate right now and this current run is very reminiscent of those multi-game stretches where Bobby would be scorching the nets from mid-range. In a playoff series, you're gonna need to know when to pull both guys off the court lest they chuck you out of the game. They're very similar offensive players right down to the "emotional blowup" potential lol.

Read on Twitter

This is a good post because, 2nd team, it likely does come down to who do you want with the ball Bobby or KPJ... KPJ is a defender though, he draws fouls and he unlocks other guys seeming to instinctively know who is hot and keeps going there.. he got open 3 after open 3 for Dame and Green last night. Bobby instinctively does nothing except try to shoot some long 2s without drawing fouls... that, at best, keeps you close or tied in a game but it doesn't close teams out -- those misses are leading to fast breaks the other way.. I'd rather draw fouls and get the ball to 3 point shooters like KPJ does.

Almost all of KPJ's offensive value right now exists with the ball in his hands. There's regular season value in that with an expanded rotation, but I want no part of it in the playoffs. Off-ball, my eye test tells me he spends a lot of time getting in the way. He's shot a horrible percentage(24.4%) from 3 this season. Even worse, his 3 pt attempt rate is at a career low. Great addition, but not a playoff rotation piece.

If you can play D, handle the ball and take the ball inside for draw and kick/layups/fouls... I've got news for you, that IS a playoff rotation piece. Pat C has been a playoff rotation piece for years and he could do zero of those 3 things.

[Ron Swanson]

Wonky defensive stats aside, Dame/Giannis/Kuzma 3-man lineup now at +17.4 in 120-minutes over 7-games. Not ruling out the possibility that we found our poor-man's Draymond.

[soxperry]

I've long been on the "replace Bobby with an athletic big" train, but saying that KPJ plays within the flow of the offense is a massive exaggeration at best. Dude has a 27% usage rate right now and this current run is very reminiscent of those multi-game stretches where Bobby would be scorching the nets from mid-range. In a playoff series, you're gonna need to know when to pull both guys off the court lest they chuck you out of the game. They're very similar offensive players right down to the "emotional blowup" potential lol.

Read on Twitter

This is a good post because, 2nd team, it likely does come down to who do you want with the ball Bobby or KPJ... KPJ is a defender though, he draws fouls and he unlocks other guys seeming to instinctively know who is hot and keeps going there.. he got open 3 after open 3 for Dame and Green last night. Bobby instinctively does nothing except try to shoot some long 2s without drawing fouls... that, at best, keeps you close or tied in a game but it doesn't close teams out -- those misses are leading to fast breaks the other way.. I'd rather draw fouls and get the ball to 3 point shooters like KPJ does.

Almost all of KPJ's offensive value right now exists with the ball in his hands. There's regular season value in that with an expanded rotation, but I want no part of it in the playoffs. Off-ball, my eye test tells me he spends a lot of time getting in the way. He's shot a horrible percentage(24.4%) from 3 this season. Even worse, his 3 pt attempt rate is at a career low. Great addition, but not a playoff rotation piece.

I suppose if you are trying to rely on that all game from one guy that could be an issue but with only Dame and Giannis as our viable creators, i think its still going to be very valuable to have someone who can come in and generate offense off the bench all by himself.

It also depends on the matchup. I would guess that KPJ will absolutely slaughter a team like Indiana but most likely struggle against Boston.

[Willie Colon]

This is a good post because, 2nd team, it likely does come down to who do you want with the ball Bobby or KPJ... KPJ is a defender though, he draws fouls and he unlocks other guys seeming to instinctively know who is hot and keeps going there.. he got open 3 after open 3 for Dame and Green last night. Bobby instinctively does nothing except try to shoot some long 2s without drawing fouls... that, at best, keeps you close or tied in a game but it doesn't close teams out -- those misses are leading to fast breaks the other way.. I'd rather draw fouls and get the ball to 3 point shooters like KPJ does.

Almost all of KPJ's offensive value right now exists with the ball in his hands. There's regular season value in that with an expanded rotation, but I want no part of it in the playoffs. Off-ball, my eye test tells me he spends a lot of time getting in the way. He's shot a horrible percentage(24.4%) from 3 this season. Even worse, his 3 pt attempt rate is at a career low. Great addition, but not a playoff rotation piece.

If you can play D, handle the ball and take the ball inside for draw and kick/layups/fouls... I've got news for you, that IS a playoff rotation piece. Pat C has been a playoff rotation piece for years and he could do zero of those 3 things.

Exactly. I'm sick of relying on players who can only shoot and go ice cold in the playoffs.

[RogerMurdock]

Really happy to see Dame stroking it and Porter getting one step closer to forcing Doc’s hand on that starting spot.

[yb90]

Wonky defensive stats aside, Dame/Giannis/Kuzma 3-man lineup now at +17.4 in 120-minutes over 7-games. Not ruling out the possibility that we found our poor-man's Draymond.

To me he is probably closer to Aaron Gordon but I get what you are saying. His back cuts have been needed. His shot selection my be awful at times but he seems to have a better feel for the game than I gave him credit for.

[CharityStripe34]

Wonky defensive stats aside, Dame/Giannis/Kuzma 3-man lineup now at +17.4 in 120-minutes over 7-games. Not ruling out the possibility that we found our poor-man's Draymond.

This and your previous post are by far the main things I'm worried about. We need a playoff "death lineup" with Freak-at-C. It's been the cheat code we've needed for years. Hell, we won a title with PJ Tucker averaging a doughnut and playing major minutes this way. Doc seems to love his two-big lineups that only sporadically use that size to its advantage (Giannis/Brook high-low).

Though it's fair to want to see Kuzma grow into that "Draymond" role against some of the very good teams coming up on the schedule before we just throw out some random small-ball lineup.

[Shaffty]

I know one won't, but one Could say KPJ unlocked Dame, Green and Sims... just saying.. one could

5 assists a game just sitting out there for him every night to go and take

[-Jragon-]

I know one won't, but one Could say KPJ unlocked Dame, Green and Sims... just saying.. one could

5 assists a game just sitting out there for him every night to go and take

There's something in there in that he knows who his weapons are, when and how to use said weapons, and kept feeding a hot shooter... 30 or 40 years since we had a PG that had some clue on how to do that.

[fansinceforever]

I've long been on the "replace Bobby with an athletic big" train, but saying that KPJ plays within the flow of the offense is a massive exaggeration at best. Dude has a 27% usage rate right now and this current run is very reminiscent of those multi-game stretches where Bobby would be scorching the nets from mid-range. In a playoff series, you're gonna need to know when to pull both guys off the court lest they chuck you out of the game. They're very similar offensive players right down to the "emotional blowup" potential lol.

Read on Twitter

This is a good post because, 2nd team, it likely does come down to who do you want with the ball Bobby or KPJ... KPJ is a defender though, he draws fouls and he unlocks other guys seeming to instinctively know who is hot and keeps going there.. he got open 3 after open 3 for Dame and Green last night. Bobby instinctively does nothing except try to shoot some long 2s without drawing fouls... that, at best, keeps you close or tied in a game but it doesn't close teams out -- those misses are leading to fast breaks the other way.. I'd rather draw fouls and get the ball to 3 point shooters like KPJ does.

Almost all of KPJ's offensive value right now exists with the ball in his hands. There's regular season value in that with an expanded rotation, but I want no part of it in the playoffs. Off-ball, my eye test tells me he spends a lot of time getting in the way. He's shot a horrible percentage(24.4%) from 3 this season. Even worse, his 3 pt attempt rate is at a career low. Great addition, but not a playoff rotation piece.

Don't understand this take at all. Are there any successful playoff teams with a single perimeter ball handler?

Asking GTJ, Prince or Green to do anything off the dribble in the playoffs will be a nightmare.

[yb90]

I know one won't, but one Could say KPJ unlocked Dame, Green and Sims... just saying.. one could

5 assists a game just sitting out there for him every night to go and take

There's something in there in that he knows who his weapons are, when and how to use said weapons, and kept feeding a hot shooter... 30 or 40 years since we had a PG that had some clue on how to do that.

KPJ is still a work in process but if they can get him working with Giannis like Pat C was then that will unlock a much needed weapon to the Bucks arsenal. Let KPJ run the wing PnRs and set the high screens for Giannis.

[-Jragon-]

Kuz coming in being Draymond-like and KPJ moving the ball around feeding shooters.... I think this highlights the respect that Dame Dollar and Greek Freek have around the league and we take for granted. Guys that have been stubborn/selfish/attitudes/etc on other teams come in here and see we have NBA legends here and want to do anything asked of them. This is a special time in Bucks history.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

Just nervous about what happens when Bobby comes back. As I <probably prematurely> said after game 2, post trade deadline, if this keeps up Bobbys' role should be lead cheerleader upon return. After all the clamoring for athleticism and foot speed, we finally get it and see immediate results. I like our chances to make a real run at this thing.

Bobby is still one of our better players, he just needs to take minutes from the right people. Most notably Prince and probably Sims as much as I like his energy.

If you have:

Dame 36
Giannis 34
Kuzma 33
Brook 30
Bobby 30
Prince 15

That leaves 62 mins to split between Kpj, Green and Trent depending on the matchup.

I would go with 24, 20, and 18 respectively most nights

If you're talking about the playoffs, the Giannis/Dame minutes will increase into the 40s, unless the game is not in doubt:

Dame 42
Giannis 42
Kuzma 32
Brook 32
BP 25
Prince 25
Trent 20
Green 10
KPJ 10

This isn't what I think should happen, but a guess on what will happen. Posters are euphoric on KPJ, but let's see how the next 10 games go. The Bucks have had a bunny schedule that will gear up dramatically.

In the playoffs Kuzma is gonna play the same amount if minutes as dame and giannis. Not only is he the most physically capable of doing it but his defensive presence and the need will demand it.

[old skool]

KPJ said that he has never played for a winning team. Winning basketball is different, and for the first time he is learning how to play winning basketball from this Bucks team .

I found those comments to be remarkable coming from a younger player. I wonder how long it will take for him to learn winning basketball. And if he can learn in time to impact the playoffs.

[AussieBuck]

Giannis 42
Dame 40
Kuzma 40
Brook 26 (maybe 34-36 against good matchups, 20ish otherwise )
KPJ 24
Green/GTJ 34

That gives a rough model for the guard minutes and the frontcourt headliners. Leaves 38 minutes nominally between SF/PF/C but we can use those three guard lineups to get more out of the SGs. Otherwise Giannis can swing PF/C as needed and Kuzma can cover whatever forward spot makes sense. The remaining bigs fight it out depending on matchups or in Bobby's case, when the home crowd needs a boost.

Prince
Bobby
Sims

Finally getting a big swing forward and guard with guard skills has been so nice. What a hilariously unexpected deadline boost.

[BigO]

Bobby is still one of our better players, he just needs to take minutes from the right people. Most notably Prince and probably Sims as much as I like his energy.

If you have:

Dame 36
Giannis 34
Kuzma 33
Brook 30
Bobby 30
Prince 15

That leaves 62 mins to split between Kpj, Green and Trent depending on the matchup.

I would go with 24, 20, and 18 respectively most nights

If you're talking about the playoffs, the Giannis/Dame minutes will increase into the 40s, unless the game is not in doubt:

Dame 42
Giannis 42
Kuzma 32
Brook 32
BP 25
Prince 25
Trent 20
Green 10
KPJ 10

This isn't what I think should happen, but a guess on what will happen. Posters are euphoric on KPJ, but let's see how the next 10 games go. The Bucks have had a bunny schedule that will gear up dramatically.

In the playoffs Kuzma is gonna play the same amount if minutes as dame and giannis. Not only is he the most physically capable of doing it but his defensive presence and the need will demand it.

Maybe. The next few weeks against great competition will give us a better idea. In the playoffs, it's always much harder to score. Can Kuzma provide the offense necessary?

In the next two weeks we will probably have our answer. I hope you're right and I'm wrong. I like the Kuzma we've seen the past two games. Relatively low volume (9 and 10 shots), but highly efficient, rebounds and plays defense.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

If you're talking about the playoffs, the Giannis/Dame minutes will increase into the 40s, unless the game is not in doubt:

Dame 42
Giannis 42
Kuzma 32
Brook 32
BP 25
Prince 25
Trent 20
Green 10
KPJ 10

This isn't what I think should happen, but a guess on what will happen. Posters are euphoric on KPJ, but let's see how the next 10 games go. The Bucks have had a bunny schedule that will gear up dramatically.

In the playoffs Kuzma is gonna play the same amount if minutes as dame and giannis. Not only is he the most physically capable of doing it but his defensive presence and the need will demand it.

Maybe. The next few weeks against great competition will give us a better idea. In the playoffs, it's always much harder to score. Can Kuzma provide the offense necessary?

In the next two weeks we will probably have our answer. I hope you're right and I'm wrong. I like the Kuzma we've seen the past two games. Relatively low volume (9 and 10 shots), but highly efficient, rebounds and plays defense.

with dame and giannis healthy....his defense and energy is worth any wart hes got. his minutes are just as valuable as giannis and dame. obviously his impact isnt the same individually for winning but its a perfect compliment to what their trying to do and he doesnt stand in the way of them

midds and bobby spam entire possessions which isnt necessary with a healthy dame/giannis....also...they couldnt and wouldnt defend outside of specific high effort possessions. full games of high level defense are out of the question with those two.

kuzma is the perfect addition to dame/giannis and a host of minimalist 3/d shooters

i think you continue to give him a fraction of the credit he deserves for what he brings as A FIT. this team needed something desperately different than the sluggish defense and face up dribble dependent pass second offensive games of dame/giannis/midds/bobby

even midds mentioned it in his interview. we needed a guy that could be a threat simply by making a cut. too much stand around offense. literally every guy we had the defense kind of knew what they were in for as the plays got going. kuzma you have to account for even if he doesnt have the ball....and not as a standstill shooter