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tedbrogen · Post #261 » by **tedbrogen** » Sat Mar 2, 2024 4:58 pm

And I would guess Brown hasn’t improved his handle. He is benefiting from better teammates around him meaning he can operate in space. And the whole teams don’t game plan as much during the regular season but in the playoffs, he’ll get forced left with pressure on him much more.

But none of this matters. It’s their year guys. Six starters. Why are we even discussing this?

soxperry · Post #262 » by **soxperry** » Sat Mar 2, 2024 5:06 pm

Ayt wrote:
CharityStripe34 wrote:Long way to go, but while Boston has been really good this season, they absolutely can be had.

They are loaded, but it comes down to health and top dog mentality. KP is very injury prone, and Horford is ancient. If the Bucks can secure the 2nd seed, how will those guys be looking deep in the playoffs?

Beyond that, I have a lot of faith in Giannis, Dame, and Midds stepping up in the playoffs. I really think Dame will find himself in the pressure cooker that is the playoffs with the Bucks. I know he's had a rough time with the move and his divorce, but the playoffs could be exactly what he needs to dial in on basketball. Travel time is reduced, and you know your opponent since you are playing them again potentially the next night or a few nights later. The stakes are high every game. The NBA regular season is a bit of a circus with all the travel and a different team every night. The playoffs could provide some normality and focus for Dame.

That is my hope for him anyway. I think he loves basketball, and I don't think he's lost anything physically compared to last season. I also think he's clearly been distracted this season with the move and with the loss of his family life. The playoffs could very well be an antidote to that for him.

KP could get hurt any time. It could be long term or short term. Playing them in ecf is great but he could easily end up hurt in rounds one and two and be back for round three. Crap shoot. Hopefully the luck is on our side.

I realize it's kind of weak to hope that we don't have to play them full strength, but the entire reason they were able to get that caliber of player is because of his injury history. Obviously if he has a full season of good health they are a very deadly team. Praying they get Miami in round 1 then New York.

CharityStripe34 · Post #263 » by **CharityStripe34** » Sat Mar 2, 2024 5:10 pm

tedbrogen wrote:
CharityStripe34 wrote:
tedbrogen wrote:
Going to be interesting to see how KP and Brown handle the pressure of it being “their year”. Mix in Jrue becoming an inefficient playoff chucker and things will get interesting if their backs are against the wall at any point.

But now they’ve entered the win it all or you are massive failures zone. That’s a ton of pressure.

In many ways, for both teams, a lot rests on Porzingis for Boston and Middleton for Milwaukee. Two guys who haven't had the most stellar health charts.

I hope Doc watches film from the series two years ago, where guys were idiotically overhelping on drives and leaving Grant Williams and Horford wide-ass open for three. Defensive communication is absolutely crucial. Boston will be heavily working the White/KP high-screen game to go after Dame & Brook.

For Tatum and especially Brown, guys like Pat Bev and Crowder are going to be crucial as well. Just to pester and bother them with some pressure. I haven't watched Boston play fully this year, but are we convinced those guys have improved their ball-handling and driving?

What if Doc puts Giannis on KP? Dare them to run PnR by bringing Giannis into the action. Ask the Suns how that works out.

Love the idea since Freak guards the pick-and-roll better than basically everyone in the league when he's on. I'd imagine Boston would just run the action with Horford (if Brook's guarding him), or they'd probably anticipate the switch and post up KP on Dame. In which case, weakside communication and rotation are incredibly crucial.

OR...curveball. Doc opens up smaller with Freak at C and Crowder guarding Horford. Assuming Al doesn't suddenly look like '08 KG after a mysterious trip to Germany.

Damn, I get hyped talking about hotly contested playoffs. The matchup scenarios are crazy.

sidney lanier · Post #264 » by **sidney lanier** » Sat Mar 2, 2024 5:18 pm

CharityStripe34 wrote:
For Tatum and especially Brown, guys like Pat Bev and Crowder are going to be crucial as well. Just to pester and bother them with some pressure. I haven't watched Boston play fully this year, but are we convinced those guys have improved their ball-handling and driving?

Both Tatum and Brown are vulnerable to being closely guarded. Tatum will wear out his left arm out wiping away defenders and not getting called for it. Brown's left arm will remain mostly unused. And I agree the expectations will be heavy for them to carry with either hand.

If it comes to a Bucks-Celtics series, just win it in 6 and not worry about seeding.

MiltownMadness · Post #265 » by **MiltownMadness** » Sat Mar 2, 2024 8:36 pm

FWIW the main worry I see C's fans have is that Tatum and Brown are still the same guys they've always been and feel the need to play hero mode at times. This is what cost them in the playoffs every single year

skbucks1985 · Post #266 » by **skbucks1985** » Sat Mar 2, 2024 11:25 pm

Its like we're back to October because we have 2 threads where the conversation has turned to Bucks-Celtics. Which I do think we are now back to the point where that looks like the most likely ECF.

One thing I'd add about the two games they've played thus far is that I thought Midds played defense on Tatum pretty well. The first game Tatum scored 23 points on 17 shots and was 2-9 from 3, in the 2nd game Tatum was awful and scored 7 points on 6 shots. If Midds and everyone else can really make Tatum work for it and hold him well below his average and/or put a dent in his efficiency, a lot of the more in the weeds stuff we're talking about may not matter.

Post #267 » by **Prez** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 3:56 am

National TV game against a championship contender w/ a superstar big, and AD gives you 15 points while they have Rui Hachimura guarding said superstar big to close the game lol. Dude had 4 points in the 2nd half and was a ghost whenever Jokic decided to actually try.

Any Lakers fan that still claims this dude is on Giannis' level needs to be ejected into space immediately.

Badgerlander · Post #268 » by **Badgerlander** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 4:00 am

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blazza18 · Post #269 » by **blazza18** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 4:12 am

Jokic has had the Lakers figured out for awhile now.

Matches Malone · Post #270 » by **Matches Malone** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 5:19 am

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BUCKnation · Post #271 » by **BUCKnation** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 5:23 am

Prez wrote:National TV game against a championship contender w/ a superstar big, and AD gives you 15 points while they have Rui Hachimura guarding said superstar big to close the game lol. Dude had 4 points in the 2nd half and was a ghost whenever Jokic decided to actually try.

Any Lakers fan that still claims this dude is on Giannis' level needs to be ejected into space immediately.

I was half watching but I constantly saw jokic with reaves on him as well with AD in no mans land. I dont get it

Profound23 · Post #272 » by **Profound23** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 2:05 pm

People can hate the greats like LeBron all they want. 40,000 points is ridiculous.

MiltownHawkeye · Post #273 » by **MiltownHawkeye** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 2:36 pm

Profound23 wrote:People can hate the greats like LeBron all they want. 40,000 points is ridiculous.

It's crazy that there was basically a consensus he'd never beat the scoring record as recently as like...6-7 years ago. LeBron is such an institution at this point that sometimes I have to look at his BBRef and remind myself how insane of a career he had.

Profound23 · Post #274 » by **Profound23** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 3:18 pm

MiltownHawkeye wrote:
Profound23 wrote:People can hate the greats like LeBron all they want. 40,000 points is ridiculous.

It's crazy that there was basically a consensus he'd never beat the scoring record as recently as like...6-7 years ago. LeBron is such an institution at this point that sometimes I have to look at his BBRef and remind myself how insane of a career he had.

And if we just stop trying to compare everyone, it's easier to appreciate greatness.

chonestown · Post #275 » by **chonestown** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 4:52 pm

Profound23 wrote:People can hate the greats like LeBron all they want. 40,000 points is ridiculous.

Sure, but look how many games it took him to get there.

Context matters.

Profound23 · Post #276 » by **Profound23** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 5:01 pm

chonestown wrote:
Profound23 wrote:People can hate the greats like LeBron all they want. 40,000 points is ridiculous.

Sure, but look how many games it took him to get there.

Context matters.

I hope you just forgot to put that on green font....also the longevity is just another proof of his greatness.

MikeIsGood · Post #277 » by **MikeIsGood** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 5:10 pm

Profound23 wrote:
chonestown wrote:
Profound23 wrote:People can hate the greats like LeBron all they want. 40,000 points is ridiculous.

Sure, but look how many games it took him to get there.

Context matters.

I hope you just forgot to put that on green font....also the longevity is just another proof of his greatness.

Warning: This board contains chones, known to the state of Wisconsin to cause sarcasm.

engelmartin · Post #278 » by **engelmartin** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 6:35 pm

Watching Dallas/Philly currently, is it just me or is Tobias Harris terrible? I don’t know what happened. He does nothing well. Every time he touches the ball you just hope he gets rid of it as soon as possible.

chonestown · Post #279 » by **chonestown** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 7:41 pm

Profound23 wrote:
chonestown wrote:
Profound23 wrote:People can hate the greats like LeBron all they want. 40,000 points is ridiculous.

Sure, but look how many games it took him to get there.

Context matters.

I hope you just forgot to put that on green font....also the longevity is just another proof of his greatness.

Just doing some Sunday shtposting. Didn't mean to catch you in the web.

Frank Nova · Post #280 » by **Frank Nova** » Sun Mar 3, 2024 8:06 pm

I swear Jason Kidd is the most useless coach ever. Even watching him on the sidelines today vs Philly, dude just sits there and spectates much more like a fan than any type of coach. It’s pretty ridiculous how someone can flame out so bad with zero success as a head coach and continue to live off of his playing days legacy. He was a great player forsure, but head coach he’s gotta be 1 of the worst, if not the worst in the association. I’m not even trying to be bias here either, I just don’t see a single redeeming quality from him on the sidelines.