Milwaukee Bucks 2015 - 2016

[brwrsfan]

Novak is in fact signing with the Bucks, Copeland to be waived.

 

Not sure how much he'll play (Copeland never saw the floor) but the team certainly does need another shooter. Gives them another threat off the bench I guess, and he certainly can space the floor, which the they desperately need.

[CheezWizHed]

Steve Novak? Any interest?

 

The team could use another shooter, which Novak is, but I don't know how you play that guy when defense has been so inconsistent for Milwaukee all year. He really can't guard anyone.

 

I forgot about his D, but I was thinking that he really isn't a fit for the team going forward. A short-term patch, but not a long term solution.

 

I've caught the last two games also (not seeing too many before) and was wondering what people were complaining about with Jabari; Especially last game. He drove well and was hitting the 12-15 ft jumpers. Even on defense, he was pretty active and in the right place. Give him another offseason and his outside shot could come along pretty well. He certainly moved faster/easier than earlier in the season.

[Baldkin]

Novak is in fact signing with the Bucks, Copeland to be waived.

 

Not sure how much he'll play (Copeland never saw the floor) but the team certainly does need another shooter. Gives them another threat off the bench I guess, and he certainly can space the floor, which the they desperately need.

 

Novak's defensive skills rival that of a 3 year old child right now. If he plays at all, I will be shocked.

 

Just Kidd giving another contract to another buddy of his who he used to play with.

[pacopete4]

Bucks 15-9 at home, 8-24 on the road. They are young and need to figure that part of the NBA grind out.

[superfly]

Novak is in fact signing with the Bucks, Copeland to be waived.

 

Not sure how much he'll play (Copeland never saw the floor) but the team certainly does need another shooter. Gives them another threat off the bench I guess, and he certainly can space the floor, which the they desperately need.

 

Novak's defensive skills rival that of a 3 year old child right now. If he plays at all, I will be shocked.

 

Just Kidd giving another contract to another buddy of his who he used to play with.

 

Copeland's D is every bit as bad if not worse. Just moving pieces around at the back end of the roster is all, no biggie.

[CheezWizHed]

Novak is in fact signing with the Bucks, Copeland to be waived.

 

Not sure how much he'll play (Copeland never saw the floor) but the team certainly does need another shooter. Gives them another threat off the bench I guess, and he certainly can space the floor, which the they desperately need.

 

Novak's defensive skills rival that of a 3 year old child right now. If he plays at all, I will be shocked.

 

Just Kidd giving another contract to another buddy of his who he used to play with.

 

Actually, I'm suddenly a fan because of the guy he replaced. Copeland was horrid and didn't even deserve to be the back of the bench. I still have nightmares of that game early in the season that he hoisted up the ball every time he touched it. In 5 minutes he went 1-7 and laid more bricks than it took to build the All Saints Episcopal Cathedral.

 

So replacing one end of the bench guy with a local fan favorite end of the bench guy that can actually shoot is a positive.

- Have him start working with Jabari and MCW stat! Player-coach him!

[DuWayne Steurer]

Giannis with the triple double last night. (and just a huge game overall) Parker has been really good lately, and playing some actual defense.

 

It really doesn't matter if the Bucks go on a run and make the playoffs, but it's just starting to feel like these 2 guys are coming together now.

[yoshii8]

It looks like Giannis, Jabari and Middleton are starting to develop some nice chemistry. It was a fun game to watch last night.

[fondybrewfan]

Giannis really gives a different dynamic to the team when he is running the point. The offense just seems much more fluid and open. It was a good idea to bring Monroe off the bench as a change of pace. He just quite obviously doesn't fit with the starting lineup. That should be an indictment on Hammond; he should have known better to think a plodder like Monroe would fit in with this athletic Bucks team.

 

Monroe will probably get traded in the offseason I would guess. MCW is fine coming off the bench as a role player type. If they can get an athletic center or a strong shooter in the upcoming draft that would be huge. Plus of course Giannis and Jabari getting better outside shots.

[tmwiese55]

Monroe was a no lose situation. If he comes in and clicks, great you win. If not, no big deal, you trade him for whatever you can get and you're only out the money you spent on his contract. easy asset acquisition and no risk since they weren't winning anything this year anyway.

 

Even if they keep playing this way with the real starters staggered, he's still playing 30 minutes and contributing. He just overlaps with Jabari less which helps. But of course that role isn't worth 20+ mil like he'll want in his next contract. I would guess a trade in the offseason as well for him. A big surprise to me lately is that Plumleee really isn't bad, if Henson could ever stay healthy and play consistently they could easily get by for a year or two with a Henson/Plumlee combo until they find the next Sanders.

[Baldkin]

They were under the salary floor (which every team must meet, and any amount below that gets divvied up amongst the players) so Monroe really only cost about $5M above that this year.

 

I'm more upset that they traded a first round pick for Vasquez, for the pleasure of taking on his salary.

 

Giannis is going to be running the offense, which hopefully means more fast breaks and more creativity.

[tmwiese55]

Yes, that Vasquez trade was mind boggling, not just now after the bad play and injury, but at the time it also made no sense. We're #owningthefuture but giving up a first rounder for one year of a backup PG? Compound that with that we gave away Irsan, Dudley, Zaza for literally nothing. I mean, if Vasquez is worth a first and a second how are those guys worth nothing. Huge bad sign for Kidd as our future GM (well, he currently is the GM too I guess so...)

[superfly]

Yes, that Vasquez trade was mind boggling, not just now after the bad play and injury, but at the time it also made no sense. We're #owningthefuture but giving up a first rounder for one year of a backup PG? Compound that with that we gave away Irsan, Dudley, Zaza for literally nothing. I mean, if Vasquez is worth a first and a second how are those guys worth nothing. Huge bad sign for Kidd as our future GM (well, he currently is the GM too I guess so...)

 

Well technically Dudley is worth just about what we got for him...which is slightly more than squadoosh. Ersan is Ersan, and just got traded again with another bum. ZaZa is doing OK, but he's just an average player with not much defense.

 

I got the point of Vasquez somewhat...he was available, has size, a good FT shooter, can hit an occasional shot, and a decent passer. Was he worth a 1st round pick to me? No, but in reality it wasn't giving up much. I think we were hedging ourselves against MCW not developing with a decent, somewhat young PG, but once he got hurt that whole plan went out the window for the year.

 

Correct me if i'm wrong but my memory tells me that 1st rounder via the Clippers is top 15ish protected, and if we don't end up turning it around here in the 2nd half we'll still have that pick this June. The 2nd rounder is worth nothing..those picks never amount to anything.

[Baldkin]

Correct me if i'm wrong but my memory tells me that 1st rounder via the Clippers is top 15ish protected, and if we don't end up turning it around here in the 2nd half we'll still have that pick this June. The 2nd rounder is worth nothing..those picks never amount to anything.

 

The pick was unprotected, and it was the 2017 first rounder coming from the Clippers... who knows, but could end up being a lottery pick, depending on Chris Paul/Griffin this off season.

 

As for second rounders, they never amount to anything, except when they do, like Draymond Green, Michael Redd, Wesley Matthews, Kyle O'Quinn, Isiah Thomas, Omar Asik, DeAndre Jordan....

 

That trade was so infuriating because it was a salary dump for Toronto (like what the Bucks did getting rid of Dudley, Zaza and Ersan) and the Bucks GAVE UP SOMETHING in order to allow Toronto to dump salary.

[tmwiese55]

Yes, that Vasquez trade was mind boggling, not just now after the bad play and injury, but at the time it also made no sense. We're #owningthefuture but giving up a first rounder for one year of a backup PG? Compound that with that we gave away Irsan, Dudley, Zaza for literally nothing. I mean, if Vasquez is worth a first and a second how are those guys worth nothing. Huge bad sign for Kidd as our future GM (well, he currently is the GM too I guess so...)

 

Well technically Dudley is worth just about what we got for him...which is slightly more than squadoosh. Ersan is Ersan, and just got traded again with another bum. ZaZa is doing OK, but he's just an average player with not much defense.

 

I got the point of Vasquez somewhat...he was available, has size, a good FT shooter, can hit an occasional shot, and a decent passer. Was he worth a 1st round pick to me? No, but in reality it wasn't giving up much. I think we were hedging ourselves against MCW not developing with a decent, somewhat young PG, but once he got hurt that whole plan went out the window for the year.

 

Correct me if i'm wrong but my memory tells me that 1st rounder via the Clippers is top 15ish protected, and if we don't end up turning it around here in the 2nd half we'll still have that pick this June. The 2nd rounder is worth nothing..those picks never amount to anything.

 

Have you watched this season? Zaza is averaging a double double starting for the 5 or 6 seed in the west, even got cursory all star talk, we got nothing. Ersan played generally well and has helped Detroit turn things around, then was traded for 24 yr old who just signed 16mil per year contract. What did we get? Nothing. Dudley is a solid rotation player hitting 46% of his 3s while playing great defense, and even starts most games for a team that was supposed to make the playoffs, we got nothing.

 

I never thought Vasquez would be as bad as he was and it was likely due to injury but how do we give up 3 solid players for nothing. Yet they get a first and a second for one solid player? The real kicker is that we're supposed to be a young team, why give up a first for one year of a backup PG.

[superfly]

Yes, that Vasquez trade was mind boggling, not just now after the bad play and injury, but at the time it also made no sense. We're #owningthefuture but giving up a first rounder for one year of a backup PG? Compound that with that we gave away Irsan, Dudley, Zaza for literally nothing. I mean, if Vasquez is worth a first and a second how are those guys worth nothing. Huge bad sign for Kidd as our future GM (well, he currently is the GM too I guess so...)

 

Well technically Dudley is worth just about what we got for him...which is slightly more than squadoosh. Ersan is Ersan, and just got traded again with another bum. ZaZa is doing OK, but he's just an average player with not much defense.

 

I got the point of Vasquez somewhat...he was available, has size, a good FT shooter, can hit an occasional shot, and a decent passer. Was he worth a 1st round pick to me? No, but in reality it wasn't giving up much. I think we were hedging ourselves against MCW not developing with a decent, somewhat young PG, but once he got hurt that whole plan went out the window for the year.

 

Correct me if i'm wrong but my memory tells me that 1st rounder via the Clippers is top 15ish protected, and if we don't end up turning it around here in the 2nd half we'll still have that pick this June. The 2nd rounder is worth nothing..those picks never amount to anything.

 

Have you watched this season? Zaza is averaging a double double starting for the 5 or 6 seed in the west, even got cursory all star talk, we got nothing. Ersan played generally well and has helped Detroit turn things around, then was traded for 24 yr old who just signed 16mil per year contract. What did we get? Nothing. Dudley is a solid rotation player hitting 46% of his 3s while playing great defense, and even starts most games for a team that was supposed to make the playoffs, we got nothing.

 

I never thought Vasquez would be as bad as he was and it was likely due to injury but how do we give up 3 solid players for nothing. Yet they get a first and a second for one solid player? The real kicker is that we're supposed to be a young team, why give up a first for one year of a backup PG.

 

But there was no room for Ersan here. He is feeble on defense & Jabari Parker needs the minutes. Combine that with his pricey contract and that's why we got what we did.

 

As for ZaZa sure he'd be decent to have around, but let's not kid ourselves...he averaged like 7pt/6reb last year and started half the season. He wasn't going to be a long term solution here so we took a gamble on Greg Monroe and traded ZaZa to offset the contract expense.

 

I really liked Dudley and was sad when we traded him, but again, another guy that is not a long term piece. He'd be clogging the road for Giannis and (a healthy) Mayo too. I'd expect Vaughn will start playing more as well.

 

None of these moves were terrible in my opinion, and seem to be loosely similar to what the Brewers are doing with their vets. The Vasquez one on the other hand was contradictory, but I guess you could compare him to Aaron Hill or Chris Carter...lottery ticket on a depth position hoping you can get more for him down the road OR benefit the team if you outperform expectations.

[Baldkin]

They gave away guys on a salary dump for nothing, then proceeded to give up a first round pick to let another team dump salary.

 

Just an awful move.

 

 

However, tonight was simply amazing. Jabari with 36. Giannis with a triple double. Middleton with 30.

 

If the defense can get 17% better, this team will be amazing.

[superfly]

Wow @ the box scores last night. I'll take 36 from Jabari every night please.

[nate82]

With MCW out for the season who plays the point now?

[fondybrewfan]

Giannis has really been playing the point for the last couple weeks; Bayliss and Mayo have brought the ball up on occasion.

 

I think Giannis at the Point Forward has really been great; the team seems to be a lot more dangerous on offense with better flow. Plus Giannis and Parker seem to be jelling better and are both putting up really nice stat lines.

 

I still notice that the offense really bigs down when Monroe comes in the game. They always make an effort to feed the post when he is in there and the offensive just stops completely.

 

With the way Giannis and Parker are playing I really think they are a good athletic center away from being really frickin good. Plus of course Giannis and Parker continuing to develop there shots

[FVBrewerFan]

It was a good idea to bring Monroe off the bench as a change of pace. He just quite obviously doesn't fit with the starting lineup. That should be an indictment on Hammond; he should have known better to think a plodder like Monroe would fit in with this athletic Bucks team.

 

How do we know this was Hammonds's idea? They have at least two majority Owners with strong personalities, a President, and oh yea,Jason Kidd who doesn't strike me as a HC who sits quietly in the corner when decisions are made.

 

This is a huge issue going forward for me. Are major decisions like this made as a team....group- think? Owners? If Kidd feels really strongly about someone does he get his way? I really question the decision making process, and I have a very hard time believing Hammonds is free to make all these moves alone.

[fondybrewfan]

I guess I can't say for sure that Hammond pulled the trigger on that; but he is the GM and you kind of have to assume he is OK with it. The owners have never struck me as basketball savants who really understand the game enough to try to force a player on the team. Kidd on the other hand of course could have pushed for that.

 

The style of play when Monroe is on and off the court is just staggering; its like to completely different teams. Without him we have a very poor mans version of the Warriors that are running and gunning; with him we have the Dick Bennett Badgers.

[FVBrewerFan]

Which is why I thought it was a bad idea to begin with. The reason I think the Owners are involved is they strike me, like all new owners (see Mark A), as wanting to win right away. And sell tickets. How do guys like that think that's done? Go out and get the biggest name you can. Well...Monroe was the biggest name the Bucks could get. Nevermind he didn't (and doesn't) fit at all what they were trying to do on either end of the floor.

 

At least MCW made some sense, no matter what we feel about him. He fit the long, athletic athlete mold at least.

[tmwiese55]

Monroe is playing the same amount of minutes since being "benched". It's slightly overblown. This way of playing just staggers the minutes of the guys so they don't have a godawful bench, it balances things out much better. They still usually finish the games with Monroe out there.

 

I wouldn't use the Monroe signing as some indictment of the front office though. It basically fell in their lap of him call the Bucks due to his relationship with Middleton. It's not like the team was winning anything this year or next anyway, so he's a free asset you can get without giving anything up other than money. If it clicked, great you win. If not, it's a short term deal so you're not on the hook and you can trade him for whatever you can get and you have free assets. It was a no lose move (only risk was an injury that would kill his trade value). They'd have been stupid not to do it. Also, throw in the PR aspect to get the arena deal done.

 

The thing to complain about is the Vasquez trade, that's horrible short sighted thinking with that one.

[superfly]

Monroe does have a fair amount of trade value I would think, especially to a team like the Lakers, Mavericks, Rockets post Dwight, etc who have no bigs. No, Roy Hibbert is not a big. They could easily absorb Monroe's deal.

 

Unlike some of the garbage we've signed in the past like Bobby Simmons, John Salmons, etc, Monroe isn't a depreciating asset. I have no issue with it whatsoever.