Milwaukee Bucks 2016 - 2017

[FVBrewerFan]

Not only a great win, but a great 4th quarter by the Bucks.

 

By just about every single metric you can find, the Bucks are somewhere between either the 3rd or 4th best team in the Eastern Conf, and yet there they are, down in 7th place. They really, really, really need to learn how to close out games. That's what's keeping them from being as good a team as they can be.

 

As fans, I think that gets over-stated sometimes. Always seems YOUR team is the one to blow games at the end more than other teams. Don't get me wrong, they definitely blew a few. But they also came back to win a couple at the end recently. That's the NBA. But again, I agree they need to do a better job of consistently closing out games. Ball and players just stop moving, that's the problem.

 

Also, remember to start the season they had Plumley starting at Center. Even Vaughn started a couple games. So they may have dropped a game or two before they got their current rotation set.

 

Beating teams like the Spurs, OKC, Cleveland shows they can hang. Almost beat GS also, so it's not like they had just one shock win. Still young, and still learning how to play with each other but at least they're exciting to watch while they grow.

[CheezWizHed]

Wow, Maker got some time in a close game? And 12 minutes too. And he keeps making 3pointers.

[FVBrewerFan]

Wow, Maker got some time in a close game? And 12 minutes too. And he keeps making 3pointers.

 

Yea, and he spent 11 of those minutes running around without any real purpose. But you have to start somewhere. I'm higher on Maker than most, but Spurs game just showed he's still definitely a work in progress.

[CheezWizHed]

But I'm curious if that means he will start spending more time in the regular rotation. Or just because Giannis was sick. Reportedly Kidd thinks he can play in the rotation this year, so perhaps we will see more of him.

 

He came as advertised: Raw. But he skills are obvious, too. I am also pretty high on him.

[DuWayne Steurer]

 

As fans, I think that gets over-stated sometimes. Always seems YOUR team is the one to blow games at the end more than other teams. Don't get me wrong, they definitely blew a few. But they also came back to win a couple at the end recently. That's the NBA. But again, I agree they need to do a better job of consistently closing out games. Ball and players just stop moving, that's the problem.

 

Also, remember to start the season they had Plumley starting at Center. Even Vaughn started a couple games. So they may have dropped a game or two before they got their current rotation set.

 

Beating teams like the Spurs, OKC, Cleveland shows they can hang. Almost beat GS also, so it's not like they had just one shock win. Still young, and still learning how to play with each other but at least they're exciting to watch while they grow.

 

Well, it's not just perception. They're in the top 10 in the league in both O and D efficiency, their PPG differential puts them at the top of the East......things like that. I'm going off of what the metrics say, not just my eye test.

 

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-milwaukee-bucks-mediocre-record-is-hiding-a-dangerous-team/

 

And it's definitely not perception that they're blowing games late

 

"And even after Antetokounmpo’s heroic last-second shot to beat the Knicks on Wednesday, Milwaukee’s stats in crunchtime (when the score is within 5 points in the last five minutes or overtime) are among the worst in the NBA."

If the Bucks figure out how to finish games, they *could* (not should, but could) be a 50 win team.

[Jenkins5]

Down the stretch, not having Middleton is killing us. Not only because he is our top shooting threat & most clutch BUT him on the floor alone opens up more space & openings for Giannis, Parker, Brogden & either Beas, Telli, or Moose.

 

C Giannis

PF Beasley

SF Parker

SG Middleton

PG Brogden

 

Is the closing shooting line up I'd love to see. I don't think there is a big in the league Giannis can't defend. All 5 can score & transition fast as well

[tmwiese55]

Have to think Maker's PT came from 25 minutes freed up without Giannis. I'd love to see him get one of Henson's stints in the first half each game for a while though and see how he does, assuming the other team doesn't have a bruiser in at C. My guess would be that after 5 or so games we'd have to stop doing it as he'd be too lost, but with how bad Henson is it's worth a shot

[Jenkins5]

I like what they doing with Maker. I think Kidd is an outstanading coach and he will really help him get to where he needs to be. I think as the season continues to move forward, Maker will get more opportunities as match ups seem fit. Best way to learn is in game. It is a completely different tempo and energy that you don't recieve in practice. Get him in for short stints in higher pressure like yesterday to continue to develop his game and understanding of the schemes.

 

I love his potential and you can see the talent is there. It is a marthon developing a championship team and the Bucks are doing a good job. Future is bright.

[homer]

Capers was just fine when he had Raji, Matthews, Woodson, and Nick Collins.

 

Yes, but Raji is way to short to play center. Granted, him just standing there means everyone would be at least 3 feet from the basket.

 

Collins was a good defender and three point shooter.

 

I'm gettin' old

[pete]

 

Collins was a good defender and three point shooter.

 

I'm gettin' old

 

I used to go to Bucks games before there was a 3 point shot. I'm ahead of you.

[FVBrewerFan]

Older than all ya all. I went to Bucks games back when they still played outdoors. Only they were called the Does then.

[brewcrewdue80]

Watching Maker this last game, I know I didn't see all of his minutes, but the time I did see, offensively he always ran to top corner/Right of the basket due to TV angle. Sat there as a kick out, made the good pass to Brogdon late for a huge 3.

Defensively, he ran all around basically chasing the ball. At first I thought great because he helped defend a play under the basket, but then after 3 more possessions just noticed his running at the ball, left SA with an open player. Lucked in to SA missing shots.

 

All-in-all if they are going to use him that style defensively, I'd think his best minutes would be closing out the 1st quarter, Middle of 3rd quarter, and start of 4th quarter. His floor energy with this style has gotta tire him.

[FVBrewerFan]

Same thing Giannis and Jabari did rookie years. I don't agree Maker needs to play to learn the offense, defense rotations, etc. He can and will learn that in practice. Sure he will need playing time to take the next step, but he has to get basics down before he gets regular minutes. Nothing wrong with another year in the weight room and practice time.

[nate82]

So the Bucks have a half game lead over the Pacers for 5th in the east and are 1.5 behind the Hawks. If the season ended today I like the Bucks chances of winning that series against the Hawks. Any lower than the 5th seed and I don't really like the Bucks chances of winning a playoff series.

[brewcrewdue80]

I gotta say, Brogdon is so perfect for this team. Because he's never going to be the star and he plays that way. Meanwhile Giannis and Parker are forging so much Star 1, Star 2 that if Brogdon were more the type like Cassell or Payton, It'd mess with the focus on offense. Just get to the playoffs, 5game/7game series vs any team is going to be a battle. Gotta be the scariest team forthcoming with gained experience. Making Brogdon a starter, and Delly off the bench sets up great. Its so great to finally have some belief in Milw. Hadnt had since the Conference final team with Cassel, Thomas, Allen, Robinson.

[statman0007]

Watching Howard dominate the Bucks' centers yesterday made me want them to make a move even more. Bucks management has made some great moves, but $80 million to Henson and Plumlee was such a mistake. I'd be tempted to package a 1st round pick with one of them to upgrade the center position. We've still got plenty of young guys to develop in Maker and Vaughn, we really don't need another rookie. Especially since the Bucks will likely be picking in the mid to late first round. Let's make Plumlee and a first for Bogut happen!

[brewcrewdue80]

Watching Howard dominate the Bucks' centers yesterday made me want them to make a move even more. Bucks management has made some great moves, but $80 million to Henson and Plumlee was such a mistake. I'd be tempted to package a 1st round pick with one of them to upgrade the center position. We've still got plenty of young guys to develop in Maker and Vaughn, we really don't need another rookie. Especially since the Bucks will likely be picking in the mid to late first round. Let's make Plumlee and a first for Bogut happen!

 

When did Howard return to his Young 20s? I guess that Sefolosha character had quite a bit to do with the D down low. Helps Howard is free to literally jab to the face and not get called for fouls.

That game was weird, as I think they jumped out to like a 16pt lead. Then they put Delly/Vaughn/Beasley with Giannis/Parker sharing time 1 on floor the other on bench vice versa over a 7-8min span. Jason Terry was on the floor in that span. It was clank city suddenly. Parker was key in the beginning and when he returned he wasn't important on the floor anymore and I feel he was the Buck needed to exploit Atlanta. Oh and Mike Dunleavy Jr. outmatched Beasley all over. Henson looked like a Monroe slow while Monroe looked Henson speed earlier in season. Henson just can't matchup vs Atlanta and this is where Maker could come in play. Standing out at the 3pt line and respecting that would force 1 of Howard or Sefolosha away from the rim, or allow Maker to shoot 3s.

 

Parker is very impressive to me in moments. Just has to rein his choices to shoot or pass. He got a number of them wrong in the game, shooting at poor/bad spots or passing on great dribble penetration vs the finish. A number of his passes were unexpected/not in shooting positions and passes around get a poor shot.

Really, this game I think it comes with the scheduling. Kinda poor to have home on Friday night/away in Atlanta sunday afternoon and now back home today for game. I think with the playing time given to Vaughn/Terry and such in between 1st/2nd quarters was Kidd coaching for today's game. Terry had his worst 3pt shooting game I'd seen, I'm surprised looking at stats it was just 1-3 I felt like he missed 5. Just an off game, Brogdon didn't even post an assist.

[rwa12]

They are going to struggle against the Howard/Jordan/Chandler 5. Big guys that can move. Henson can handle the hybrids, Moose can handle the Lopez/Jefferson types. I like the team overall. It's going to take a full season to figure it out, and that's with Middleton hurt. They are a terrifying first round matchup for anyone. They seem to play their best as the underdog. If they can sneak into the playoffs, they are going to be a scary matchup. Parker/GA are just a fantastic combo. I like Brogdon, he's the role player they need. I can't blame management for not having a better 2 guard, you can't spend big money when you have so much invested in KM. This was a somewhat lost season when he was injured, they are playing incredibly well in his absence. They are a top 3 team next year, IMO.

[davego]

Larry Sanders really screwed us (and himself) with being crazy.

[brewcrewdue80]

Henson has really hurt this team in the last two games I watched. He gets in position on offense around the free throw line which is a passing spot to move the ball in/out or dribble/drive. But he's just so damn sluggish, Parker must have had 5 TOs trying to pass to him in these 2 games. And then it's the fact he's a poor shot the occasional times he took them. He needs to sit along the OB line near the basket with Offensive board maneuvers or be the one making picks. Not someone who handles the ball. Having him in the game at the same time as Snell or Vaughn really clogs the offensive ability. Oh and Delly really gets exposed as a mismatch in athleticism. Terry has gotten too many minutes the last 2 games. I think when the team is facing bigs that cause problems, they just need to rotate Plumlee, Monroe, Henson and Teletovic or Maker and foul that big alot forcing him to make free throws. Meanwhile, if you're sitting Giannis or Parker or Brogdon, the extra minutes you delay the game mean you can leave them on the court for longer stretches. At some point you hope with the duo of Giannis or Parker dribble driving create a foul problem for that big mismatch.

[FVBrewerFan]

Larry Sanders really screwed us (and himself) with being crazy.

 

Yea, and not signing Zaza was a mistake.

[tmwiese55]

Larry Sanders really screwed us (and himself) with being crazy.

 

Yea, and not signing Zaza was a mistake.

 

Yup 25 mil per year on Henson and Plumlee. Or a short term low cost low risk deal for Zaza. Have to love our management, fell ass-backwards into Giannis and Jabari but insist on messing everything up around them...

[FVBrewerFan]

To be fair, they've made good 2nd round picks like Middleton and Brogdon. I think Maker was a good 1st round pick. I mean they've done a really good job on draft day, unfortunately equally bad the other 364 days.

[tmwiese55]

Yea would've been more accurate to say their financial management so contracts, free agency, most trades. Draft has been their one saving grace. Another example, push Ersan out of town as he's overpaid. Then go out and drop 3/30 on an older, worse version of Ersan in Telly.

[GAME05]

Well if it were last year's Plumlee we'd be fine.