Milwaukee Bucks 2015 - 2016

[davego]

I really like the roster construction. While this puts a bit more stress on Giannis and Jabri to score, if we look at 2015-16 as step towards making a run in 16-17 and 17-18, I think the Bucks are on the right track. We are going to find out on MCW, too.

[tmwiese55]

Yea that's why I'm not too worked up about that possible hole. I mean, they're not winning it next year anyway. We'll know much more after this season regarding Jabari and how to build the team. We'll know much more on how Giannis is going to progress. Better to stand pat than to make a mistake.

[FVBrewerFan]

Better to stand pat than to make a mistake.

 

Definitely agree with you there. And I do get your point about bogging down the offense with two bigs that can't score. But if one is Monroe, you have scoring there. I guess I just like to have that card when you need it- to have 3 shot blockers on the floor at once (incl Giannis.) Maybe when you're playing Off/Def possessions at the end of games, etc.

 

And Dave, I don't think there's a ton of pressure for Giannis and Parker to score. You have 6 guys who are all capable of averaging 15 a game, that's 90 points already. My point is, I don't think there's pressure for those guys to score 20+ a game. At least not yet. Jabari will need to get at that level soon (not next season) since he doesn't bring a whole lot to the table other than scoring.

[tmwiese55]

I see what you mean for sure. I just think the spacing would be very difficult. It's not so much having guys out there that can't score, it's that a lineup of MCW, Monroe, Henson, Giannis, Middleton only has one 3 pt shooter. All can score other than Henson, just no one can shoot as of now (there's promising reports out there about Giannis and MCW's improvement in shooting this offseason though). The lane would be super clogged making it hard Monroe to score and hard for any of the slasher type to get to the rim.

[davego]

Agreed, no pressure to go out and score 20-a-night. My point was that w/o Ersan and Dudley, Jabri and Giannis will have greater roles to take more shots and shots in high(er) pressure situations. This is good (IMO), will facilitate their growth.

[Baldkin]

The Arena deal passed the City Council with a 12-3 vote.

 

We've got a deal, people!

[patrickgpe]

Bucks arena has cleared its final step, but it looks like the permanent closure of 4th street is still an open issue.

 

Barrett to sign city financing this afternoon.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/aldermen-approve-borrowing-for-the-new-arena-b99581782z1-328671581.html

 

Great day for the city, I just can't believe how much less controversial this was as opposed to Miller Park. I understand that its completely different since Bucks ownership is pay for 1/2 of the arena and taxes aren't being raised, but I still expected a fight.

[tmwiese55]

Yea that's what I've felt all along. Everyone has learned in recent years about the issues with publicly financed stadiums, but in this case the owners did chip in half so I don't see why anyone should be too ticked off and thus making it a generally fair deal from both sides. It's not like we're being fleeced like the Marlins owner did to Miami, and many other examples.

[patrickgpe]

Yea that's what I've felt all along. Everyone has learned in recent years about the issues with publicly financed stadiums, but in this case the owners did chip in half so I don't see why anyone should be too ticked off and thus making it a generally fair deal from both sides. It's not like we're being fleeced like the Marlins owner did to Miami, and many other examples.

 

I think the bigger part was that taxes weren't raised. It is nice that the bucks owners are chipping in but i think most people get most upset when they see an increase in their bottom line. The arena adding a surcharge to each ticket to help pay for it, as a user fee, is far less controversial than a sales tax increase.

[patrickgpe]

Bucks hired Rod Thorn as a consultant.

 

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/239335/Bucks-Hire-Rod-Thorn-As-Special-Consultant

 

Another quality individual coming into the organization.

[molitor fan]

“The Bucks have a young, talented team with huge potential and are in the process of building a world-class organization,” said Thorn. “I’m very pleased to work with a visionary ownership group, a terrific young coach in Jason Kidd and an outstanding and well-respected general manager in John Hammond. This is a great time to join the Bucks family, and I’m very excited to be part of it.”

 

This is stunning....Amazing get for the Bucks, and the words visionary leadership ring very true for this group...wow

[patrickgpe]

i just can't believe how different this franchise is from just 2 seasons ago with Larry Drew as your coach and Herb Kohl the owner.

[Baldkin]

i just can't believe how different this franchise is from just 2 seasons ago with Larry Drew as your coach and Herb Kohl the owner.

 

18 months ago the team finished with the worst record in the NBA, for a team who's goal was to win 40 games and compete for the playoffs.

 

The team skimped and pinched pennies on things like assistant coaches, training staff and locker room amenities.

 

18 Months. New owners. New coach. New arena in the works. Jabari Parker. Greg Monroe. Locking up Middleton.

[CheezWizHed]

So, is a 50 win season and being a legit NBA contender unreasonable this year?

 

There are plenty of variables that will effect this year, including meshing a team together with two new major players (counting Jabari since he barely played last year). And certainly another 41-41 year could be possible also.

 

Or do you think its at least a year away from that potential (50 wins + NBC Championship contender)?

[tmwiese55]

I think still a year away. Maybe things will happen that gets them around 50 wins but I still wouldn't view them as title contenders. Goal should be to win a round in the playoffs this year.

[Baldkin]

I think the East is going to be quite a bit better this season than last, so 50 wins might be difficult.

 

Indiana, Miami, Boston, who were all awful last year, will all be quite a bit better (Bucks went 8-3 vs those 3 teams last year).

Also, acclimating to a 40% new starting lineup will probably take some time.

 

Beating the good teams will determine how many wins this team will get. Their defense is so good, that they will suffocate the bad teams.

[tmwiese55]

Yes the East has great improved in the last two seasons. Cle, Chi, Was, Tor, Miami, Atl are 6 solid playoff teams now. Then throw in MKE, Boston, Indiana (with George back). Even the bottom teams should all be much better other than Philly.

[FVBrewerFan]

Long John Henson signed for 4 more years, good contract. Every great team needs a guy like Henson.

[fondybrewfan]

The Bucks should easily compete for a decent seed in the playoffs this year but I think they are still a year or two away from being a title contender. I think they need to get some outside shooting and hopefully Parker, Giannis, and MCW take steps forward in that area. Monroe should help a ton; having a legitimate big man that can rebound and score should be huge. Maybe by next year the rookie SG will develop a bit and be that guy. He is supposedly a pretty true scorer

 

Winning 50 games is probably stretching it but I can see something like 44-38 or so.

[patrickgpe]

bucks unveiled the long rumored black uniforms with an alternative court, the nab's first. I still am not a huge fan but they are only wearing them for 4 games, so I am OK with it. love an idea of an alternative court though.

[homer]

The court looks great.

[davego]

43.5 is the Vegas win total. I'm leaning to the under, but this might be a line to stay away from.

[CheezWizHed]

I was hoping to watch the game but couldn't find it anywhere on FSN or ESPN or anything else.

 

Nice to see Vaughn start fast. Kidd mentioned that he has a ways to go for defense, but perhaps he starts taking Mayo's role this year.

[patrickgpe]

the game on tuesday is on NBA TV, i think there is a preseason game or 2 on FSN

[FVBrewerFan]

10/13 NBA TV

10/20 FSN

10/23 FSN