PG Washington: Giannis makes Wizards disappear

[BigO]

Takeaways:

1) Bucks will be good if KPJ duplicates what he did last night. If not, Bucks won't be a contender. He's that important.

2) I don't get playing BP at center. He isn't a rim protector and he's actually pretty good guarding one on one out on the floor. If Doc is going to rest Turner and Giannis at the same time (I'd try and minimize that), then I'd give Sims some play.

3) Doc went at least twice in a row to BP post-ups. I don't have a problem with that, especially if BP is hitting his shots (he wasn't). I'd like to see BP not settle for fadeaways, but attack the basket more. If he's going to take twos, get closer to the basket.

4) Rebounding was once again a problem, getting outrebounded by 10.

5) If you can guarantee that Kuzma doesn't take any threes, he's serviceable. The fact that the opposition can and should leave him alone to shoot is still a problem.

6) Doc took Turner out during the stretch run and went with BP. I wonder what he was thinking.

[kanyon]

I hope KPJ recovers quickly. He was looking nice out there. Bucks need him.

[CharityStripe34]

And the key thing with KPJ is that he and Giannis have good chemistry. Giannis cuts better knowing that he'll get a lob or a baseline pass from KPJ. Plus his athleticism out in transition is huge (along with guys like Trent, Green and Rollins who run hard).

[WiscoKing13]

I'm surprised Kuzma/Bobby were barley staggered in the first half. You could see the offense completely slow to halt when Bobby's fat ass checked in. Just no ball movement, couldn't finish bunny's and just no rim protection. Just get him off the team already.

[Shaffty]

Read on Twitter

[soxperry]

If nothing else, at least clarity has been provided on the kpj/rollins/cole pecking order. Glad people see that now

[midranger]

Despite Doc knowing his dad (gag on that conspiracy theory), I remain super happy we brought in Cole Anthony on a minimum deal. PG Rollins was a rough experience, and there’s no one else beyond that.

[emunney]

Love how all the guards give us something a little different, but they can all play.

All we need from Kuz is what he did in the 2nd half. Bother big ball handlers, set screens, take bigs off the dribble.

Sarr looks weaker than last year somehow. For an athlete that skinny to have no muscle tone is so **** weird.

[fan230]

Kpj injury looks bad according to Rivers. Not good news for us.

We may have to try Sears.

[-Jragon-]

Khris played very good defense last night.

The last 5 minutes of the 1st half we destroyed him.. he was basically just standing there.

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[Ron Swanson]

Sarr looks weaker than last year somehow. For an athlete that skinny to have no muscle tone is so **** weird.

I usually laugh at the notion that "these guys couldn't hang with the old-timers", but I do find myself constantly thinking about how some of these skinny alien dudes like Chet, Sarr, and Chris Boucher would have gotten absolutely rag-dolled and broken in half by Wilt and Nate Thurmond back in the 60's/70's. A lot of these young big guys need to discover the weight room.

[machu46]

Takeaways:

1) Bucks will be good if KPJ duplicates what he did last night. If not, Bucks won't be a contender. He's that important.

2) I don't get playing BP at center. He isn't a rim protector and he's actually pretty good guarding one on one out on the floor. If Doc is going to rest Turner and Giannis at the same time (I'd try and minimize that), then I'd give Sims some play.

3) Doc went at least twice in a row to BP post-ups. I don't have a problem with that, especially if BP is hitting his shots (he wasn't). I'd like to see BP not settle for fadeaways, but attack the basket more. If he's going to take twos, get closer to the basket.

4) Rebounding was once again a problem, getting outrebounded by 10.

5) If you can guarantee that Kuzma doesn't take any threes, he's serviceable. The fact that the opposition can and should leave him alone to shoot is still a problem.

6) Doc took Turner out during the stretch run and went with BP. I wonder what he was thinking.

Assuming last season was an aberration, Kuzma is just okay enough shooting the ball that I can live with the open, stand still ones. It's the contested, off the dribble 3's that he fell in love with in Washington that are just completely unnecessary. He's a fairly versatile player; he just tends to not use those skills in the ways that you actually want lol.

[BucksFanSD]

I'm surprised Kuzma/Bobby were barley staggered in the first half. You could see the offense completely slow to halt when Bobby's fat ass checked in. Just no ball movement, couldn't finish bunny's and just no rim protection. Just get him off the team already.

As much talk I saw this summer that Kuzma doesn't fit this new team and style I thought it was Bobby last night as the one guy that didn't fit. Kuzma, despite his faults, is fast twitch, gets to the rim, and passes where Bobby is back to the basket and is hesitant to pass. Also seems like Kuzma gives way to Bobby on getting rebounds every time. I think this can improve with more games but it's something to keep an eye on.

[BucksFanSD]

Takeaways:

1) Bucks will be good if KPJ duplicates what he did last night. If not, Bucks won't be a contender. He's that important.

2) I don't get playing BP at center. He isn't a rim protector and he's actually pretty good guarding one on one out on the floor. If Doc is going to rest Turner and Giannis at the same time (I'd try and minimize that), then I'd give Sims some play.

3) Doc went at least twice in a row to BP post-ups. I don't have a problem with that, especially if BP is hitting his shots (he wasn't). I'd like to see BP not settle for fadeaways, but attack the basket more. If he's going to take twos, get closer to the basket.

4) Rebounding was once again a problem, getting outrebounded by 10.

5) If you can guarantee that Kuzma doesn't take any threes, he's serviceable. The fact that the opposition can and should leave him alone to shoot is still a problem.

6) Doc took Turner out during the stretch run and went with BP. I wonder what he was thinking.

Assuming last season was an aberration, Kuzma is just okay enough shooting the ball that I can live with the open, stand still ones. It's the contested, off the dribble 3's that he fell in love with in Washington that are just completely unnecessary. He's a fairly versatile player; he just tends to not use those skills in the ways that you actually want lol.

Yeah, exactly this. He should be shooting threes that are wide open. Not the other crap. Just focus on what his positives are and defer on everything else. He's got the firepower around him in his teammates

[BUCKnation]

Pacer fans on X are huffing straight copium tonight. Bringing up Turner's shooting tonight but completely missing he was +9 with 8 boards, 5 assists and 3 blocks. He altered the gamed defensively and his shooting will only get better. So glad we have him.

Interesting group of fans. They are super salty and all they talk about is him being bad in the finals, meanwhile nesmith was a ghost in that series and mathurin literally threw away game 4 so blatantly, he may as well have been in a gambling ring too

[BucksFanSD]

If KPJ doesn't get hurt and Khris treated this like a regular game I think we would've won by 25. The media and Vegas is sleeping on this team.

[DingleJerry]

Sarr looks weaker than last year somehow. For an athlete that skinny to have no muscle tone is so **** weird.

I usually laugh at the notion that "these guys couldn't hang with the old-timers", but I do find myself constantly thinking about how some of these skinny alien dudes like Chet, Sarr, and Chris Boucher would have gotten absolutely rag-dolled and broken in half by Wilt and Nate Thurmond back in the 60's/70's. A lot of these young big guys need to discover the weight room.

Your point still stands and is generally right.

But a lot of that is rules dependent. Current big man rules though, its very tough to do what you said, all the skinny guy has to do is fall down or stand his ground and take the hit for it to be called offensive. Plus old school on the block post play is nearly gone due to modern rules. And then on the other end, the traditional jacked bigs couldn't guard out on the perimeter. Not unlike what happens in every playoffs.

But rebounding is still the big area your point matters (though less than it did 30 years ago) and is still true that these guys have to beef up at least to some degree. Doesn't mean they still can't be good like say Chet is still good, but its a big weakness in their game.

[CharityStripe34]

If KPJ doesn't get hurt and Khris treated this like a regular game I think we would've won by 25. The media and Vegas is sleeping on this team.

Let them sleep. Flying under the radar will do wonders for this team. They still have to stick to the up-tempo concepts and sharing the ball.

[tedbrogen]

Some contender is going to get Khris

No contender is sending the salary and asset needed to make it worth it to the Wiz. He’s getting bought out. Tax teams can’t sign him. Name the list of contenders allowed to sign Midds please.

He’ll be back with the Bucks in mid-February.

I hope your right, but the Spurs could send the expiring contracts of Barnes and Olynyk, and some 2nds, and land a proven playoff assassin who's also a terrific veteran leader.

Why would the Spurs make a move for another guy whose contract is expiring when they could package Barnes, Olynyk, and Vassell with picks for a younger player?

But it is funny that this started with someone claiming the Wiz will get a protected first for Midds and that has already walked back to some seconds.

[tedbrogen]

I'm surprised Kuzma/Bobby were barley staggered in the first half. You could see the offense completely slow to halt when Bobby's fat ass checked in. Just no ball movement, couldn't finish bunny's and just no rim protection. Just get him off the team already.

As much talk I saw this summer that Kuzma doesn't fit this new team and style I thought it was Bobby last night as the one guy that didn't fit. Kuzma, despite his faults, is fast twitch, gets to the rim, and passes where Bobby is back to the basket and is hesitant to pass. Also seems like Kuzma gives way to Bobby on getting rebounds every time. I think this can improve with more games but it's something to keep an eye on.

Agreed. Bobby doesn’t fit anymore. Especially if they can’t get anything for Kuz. Because they are both backup 4s. Play them together and you have no rim protection. So one should be the four off the bench who plays alongside Sims (because pairing Giannis and Turner maximizes things with Giannis on the court).

Bobby is also not great playing uptempo, doesn’t love moving the ball, and is in love with super inefficient fade away long twos out of the post.

His rebounding is still an asset and as always his best skill is being able to step in to the starting lineup when GA is out while giving you 75% of GA’s scoring and rebounding (less efficiently and without the creation for others or the defense).

If Bobby is going to only be getting 15-20 mpg and Kuz is untradeable, then you have to explore trading Bobby when he’s eligible with a pick for a wing.

As good as Bobby can be for team chemistry, things could get ugly if his minutes are limited.

The only reason not to trade him is if Midds has already back-channeled to GA that he’ll seek a buyout and sign with the Bucks in Feb.