Bucks/Pacers Lead-up - Dame Cleared for Practice

[bucksfansince88]

big time coming out party for KPJ coming up, he's shown to be a rise to the moment guy in Dame's absence. im expecting big things from him and really nice run for the bucks these playoffs. dont be surprised if the bucks run through these guys 4-1. sneaking the first one Saturday afternoon is going to be huge.

[SupremeHustle]

Just remember people, we only need one in their court.
Hell, I'd take us getting blown up 3/4 times in their court and squeaking 1 point wins at home and at the final game at their home.

We are the underdogs but honestly, it always felt like we are better with a court disadvantage than advantage over the years.

You got it. Became world champs as a 3rd seed.

[Dick Tate]

Happy to get another crack at the Pacers. Giannis about to show them there was only one reason why they advanced past the Bucks.

[paulpressey25]

big time coming out party for KPJ coming up, he's shown to be a rise to the moment guy in Dame's absence. im expecting big things from him and really nice run for the bucks these playoffs. dont be surprised if the bucks run through these guys 4-1. sneaking the first one Saturday afternoon is going to be huge.

Yep. We go as far as KPJ will take us.

We know Giannis will get his 34/12/8. But can KPJ play some defense and put some pressure on the Indy guards.

[Frank Nova]

Just remember people, we only need one in their court.
Hell, I'd take us getting blown up 3/4 times in their court and squeaking 1 point wins at home and at the final game at their home.

We are the underdogs but honestly, it always felt like we are better with a court disadvantage than advantage over the years.

You got it. Became world champs as a 3rd seed.

In 1995-96, Hakeem Olajuwon won the title as a 6th seed. If anyone can do it, it’s Giannis.

[German Athens]

I love the “we’ll know Giannis will get his”, and then allude to absolutely bonkers numbers.

Fully agree.

The casual nature is hilarious, though. Like it’s a throwaway line.

[SupremeHustle]

Just remember people, we only need one in their court.
Hell, I'd take us getting blown up 3/4 times in their court and squeaking 1 point wins at home and at the final game at their home.

We are the underdogs but honestly, it always felt like we are better with a court disadvantage than advantage over the years.

You got it. Became world champs as a 3rd seed.

In 1995-96, Hakeem Olajuwon won the title as a 6th seed. If anyone can do it, it’s Giannis.

You know why.

[Bernman]

40% of the clot remaining is discouraging. Should rule him out for Indy, at least. But I don't think that makes a difference. Because Indy do a poor job of containing Giannis, you can have shooters orbit around him, KPJ play in p&r's, & cook when Giannis is off. While Dame hurts your D vs. Hali.

But we need Dame v. the Cavs to win. They contain Giannis w/ a big & half help cuz their elite frontcourt d. Shooters don't get as good of looks off him. So Dame shooting over the top off the dribble may well be necessary. He had big games against them. They have bad options to guard him.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

40% of the clot remaining is discouraging. .

I guess when did that number come out and how much trust do we have that Marques had the latest information? March 26 -> April 9 is 2 weeks. Playoffs start April 19, Game 4 is probably April 26/27. I have no idea if the clot takes long from 0-60% or 60-100% but that update isnt totally discouraging......if true.

[CharityStripe34]

I've already accepted that, unless we somehow make the Finals, Dame's not coming back.

[LUKE23]

I am extremely worried about big first quarter deficits if the starting lineup isn’t adjusted, which it won’t be. If it’s close in second half I like our chances. And for the love of God, please don’t let McConnell beat us.

This is a bad matchup for Brook with Indy’s pace and Turners ability to hit the 3. This is definitely a series to go small. We won’t.

Doc is a huge concern obviously.

[Profound23]

I am minimally confident in a small first quarter lead if the starting lineup is adjusted, which it will be. If it's a blowout in the second half I like our chances. Whatever we do, allow McConnell to take over the game.

This is a great matchup for Lopez with Turner only making three of his last 13 three point shots. This is definitely a series to play the bigs. We will.

Doc is the biggest asset ambiguously.

[Frank Nova]

You got it. Became world champs as a 3rd seed.

In 1995-96, Hakeem Olajuwon won the title as a 6th seed. If anyone can do it, it’s Giannis.

You know why.

As fair of a point as that is, since LeBron joined the Lakers I haven’t seen anything close to that type of enigma standing in the way. Miami/2ndCleveland Lebron and 90s Michael only exist in memory now, Giannis in the East is the closest Goliath anyone has to face. This championship is just as up for grabs as both of Hakeem’s were in a Jordan-less NBA back then. That’s why I honestly believe, like Hakeem on a rather lackluster team, Giannis can dominate and be the best player in every series and win.

[CharityStripe34]

I am minimally confident in a small first quarter lead if the starting lineup is adjusted, which it will be. If it's a blowout in the second half I like our chances. Whatever we do, allow McConnell to take over the game.

This is a great matchup for Lopez with Turner only making three of his last 13 three point shots. This is definitely a series to play the bigs. We will.

Doc is the biggest asset ambiguously.

Agree 100%. This is not a Brook series. They're going to incessantly hunt the drop.

[Ron Swanson]

It is kinda funny that the Rollins/Prince/Kuzma/Giannis/Brook lineup that everyone (rightfully) hates is actually a +12.4 net-rating. But this is probably why we need to not gauge anything from small sample lineup data this season. We've had zero consistency with the deadline trades, injuries, and Doc just throwing **** at the wall with no rhyme or reason. It's all noise.

[soxperry]

It is kinda funny that the Rollins/Prince/Kuzma/Giannis/Brook lineup that everyone (rightfully) hates is actually a +12.4 net-rating. But this is probably why we need to not gauge anything from small sample lineup data this season. We've had zero consistency with the deadline trades, injuries, and Doc just throwing **** at the wall with no rhyme or reason. It's all noise.

I think we are all hoping for the real starting lineup to be revealed and all the other stuff was just Doc in the lab...

But its gonna be the same starters.

[Matches Malone]

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[German Athens]

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Looks like Andre will slowly lose you the game, regardless.

[pifhluk23]

Is Sims going to be available? This will be the series where even casual fans won't be able to deny its time to move on from Brook. So sick of saying this year after year after year and he gets torched every playoff.

No matter whose playing though this will be an uphill battle. Carlisle will have several tricks up his sleave, if I were him I'd make everyone not named Giannis beat them. If Lopez Kuzma KPJ & Portis beat you in a 7 game series you didn't deserve to be there anyway.

[German Athens]

I do think those on/off splits might illuminate Doc’s thinking regarding TP.

Trent and AJ are capable shooters in tight windows, off movement, or off a pull-up whereas Prince has to be setup for his looks.

Prince isn’t going to see those looks with Giannis off the floor, so then he won’t be able to provide any value.

The weird part to me is that it seems like a mis-prioritization. Why would you emphasize putting TP in a position to succeed, over putting the team in a position to succeed? If maximizing the minutes you have winning lineups on the court means you play Prince fewer minutes then play Prince fewer minutes.