Milwaukee Bucks 2017 - 2018

[Outlander]

I know there are posts in the 2016- 2017 thread already but Figured I would start a new one considering it is a new season and things have been looking good thus far. Just real excited about this team right now because the Bucks have a true superstar to build around and it is actually realistic to say the Bucks can win a NBA Championship in the next few years.

[jjgott]

I agree. I typically do not follow the Bucks' regular season save for a game or two I happen to catch on National TV. This year I plan on at least checking the score for every game and making sure to watch every game that's on ESPN/TNT/NBATV.

 

The fact that Giannis can dominate so much in today's NBA without needing to rely on the 3 ball is unreal.

[homer]

Giannis is only 22.

[nate82]

Giannis is only 22.

 

Which is crazy as he plays like he is 28 year old who has been in the league for 10+ years while still improving as a player and a leader.

[jjgott]

In anticipation of tonight's return to the MECCA here is the link to the 30 for 30 short done on the guy who found/saved the original floor:

 

[FVBrewerFan]

Hoping Giannis gives a nod to the past by trying a sky hook at some point in the game.

[Outlander]

I remember seeing something this past summer showing he was practicing a hook shot so that would be pretty cool to see especially since Kareem complimented him this past week on his Twitter.

[patrickgpe]

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2017/10/latest-on-eric-bledsoe-2.html

 

No way I give up Brodgen. He is just as good or better than Bledsoe and has 2 years left on his deal just like Eric. I think the Suns are delusional on his trade value. I read a report that they asked the Cavs for the Nets #1 and Shumpert for Bledsoe.

[OnaBadger58]

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2017/10/latest-on-eric-bledsoe-2.html

 

No way I give up Brodgen. He is just as good or better than Bledsoe and has 2 years left on his deal just like Eric. I think the Suns are delusional on his trade value. I read a report that they asked the Cavs for the Nets #1 and Shumpert for Bledsoe.

Agreed, not sure how Bledsoe would be an upgrade over Brogden. Brogdon doesn't demand the ball, can hit the three, can create if need be, and can play defense. He's exactly the PG you need with Giannis. Suns have no leverage, so give them a pick and a supporting cast member or two, or move on.

[GAME05]

Bledsoe has a lot more explosiveness than Brogdon, and the team could probably use a guy who can create his shot and drive. Giannis obviously does that but everyone else on the team are just catch-and-shoot players. Bledsoe is an upgrade, but then Brogdon is as cheap as can be, a positive in the clubhouse, and I don't know if there are any personality issues with Bledsoe. I'm pretty content the way things are.

[nate82]

Bledsoe has a lot more explosiveness than Brogdon, and the team could probably use a guy who can create his shot and drive. Giannis obviously does that but everyone else on the team are just catch-and-shoot players. Bledsoe is an upgrade, but then Brogdon is as cheap as can be, a positive in the clubhouse, and I don't know if there are any personality issues with Bledsoe. I'm pretty content the way things are.

 

Bledsoe makes more sense as a 6th man than he does starting for the Bucks. Bledsoe coming off the bench when Giannis is not on the court would improve the bench offense a lot as he can create his own shot and shots for others better than Dellavedova can.

 

I definitely would not trade Brogdon for Bledsoe. I would offer Vaughn, Henson/Monroe, and Dellavadova for Bledsoe and Chandler. I think the Suns would rather have Monroe and his expiring than Henson. If the Suns want a pick the best I would give them is 2nd round pick next year or the teams 1st in 2019 that is lottery protected.

[pacopete4]

It’s too bad the Bucks didn’t get Kyrie. They might’ve actually been contenders.

[CheezWizHed]

Except Kyrie didn't come for free. Not sure what the Bucks would've given up, but its not like they would just add him to the current team. Someone(s) would be gone.

[pacopete4]

Except Kyrie didn't come for free. Not sure what the Bucks would've given up, but its not like they would just add him to the current team. Someone(s) would be gone.

 

Well the Bucks need a guy like him. Badly if they want to be of any real threat. So they’ll either have to luck out in the draft or trade for someone of that talent. Giannis is a stud. Get the man some real players to play with.

[paul253]

On that note I saw a “rumor” today on the internet, so obviously it has to be true, about Eric Bledsoe. Not sure who approached whom or if this is even legit but apparently Phoenix asked for Brogdon and Henson for Bledsoeand the Bucks responded by offering Henson and Delladova.

[superfly]

On that note I saw a “rumor” today on the internet, so obviously it has to be true, about Eric Bledsoe. Not sure who approached whom or if this is even legit but apparently Phoenix asked for Brogdon and Henson for Bledsoeand the Bucks responded by offering Henson and Delladova.

 

The only conceivable reason I can see why Henson has been playing recently is trying to showcase him, so maybe there's legs to rumors. He is just terrible and I don't know why he's still here.

[patrickgpe]

Henson isn't terrible. He is overpaid. His production doesn't nearly equal his salary, but he is still a serviceable big man.

[FVBrewerFan]

Henson fits Kidd's defensive system (which we can debate), it's why he's in the game at crunch time and not Monroe or Maker.

 

After this season, $24MM is freed up (Monroe/Sanders) then another $20MM the year after (Mirza/Delly.) Henson is fine for what he does, maybe a little overpaid, sure. But $39MM for Monroe, Mirza, and Delly hurts a lot more.

 

With all that said, Middleton is the guy who needs to step it up. They need to get 3-4 three pointers out of him every game. Not twisting fall away shots from 15 feet.

[nodakfan17]

It’s too bad the Bucks didn’t get Kyrie. They might’ve actually been contenders.

If (and it’s a big if) Kyrie had been willing to re-sign with the Bucks, I would have made everyone available but Giannis. I think you have to do whatever you can to add elite players and backfill later. A realistic offer would have been Brogdon plus Thon or Wilson plus an unprotected future 1st. Truthfully, that’s a bit on the low side, but the Cavs were motivated sellers. The Brooklyn pick is a great asset, but I don’t see how Thomas (damaged goods) helps them win in a win-now year.

 

Edit: I forgot salaries have to match ... the trade would likely have to have included Henson or Middleton.

[OnTheBlack]

Bledsoe has a lot more explosiveness than Brogdon, and the team could probably use a guy who can create his shot and drive. Giannis obviously does that but everyone else on the team are just catch-and-shoot players. Bledsoe is an upgrade, but then Brogdon is as cheap as can be, a positive in the clubhouse, and I don't know if there are any personality issues with Bledsoe. I'm pretty content the way things are.

 

 

I think Bledsoe is a more talented and a better player than Brogdon...but I also think Brogdon is a better fit for this team. He fits pretty well with what the Bucks are trying to put together. He can defend, he can shoot and he doesn't have the first step that Bledsoe does but I don't think he needs it.

 

3 years ago I thought Bledsoe was going to be an elite point guard. Now...I think he's a luxury 6th man. Someone who can give you a boost off the bench.

 

Brogdon is also just in his 2nd year. I realize most seem to think he's reached his potential, but he's got sneaky athletic ability and I think we're going to see him improve quite a bit yet.

[OnTheBlack]

It’s too bad the Bucks didn’t get Kyrie. They might’ve actually been contenders.

If (and it’s a big if) Kyrie had been willing to re-sign with the Bucks, I would have made everyone available but Giannis. I think you have to do whatever you can to add elite players and backfill later. A realistic offer would have been Brogdon plus Thon or Wilson plus an unprotected future 1st. Truthfully, that’s a bit on the low side, but the Cavs were motivated sellers. The Brooklyn pick is a great asset, but I don’t see how Thomas (damaged goods) helps them win in a win-now year.

 

Edit: I forgot salaries have to match ... the trade would likely have to have included Henson or Middleton.

 

 

They got more back for Thomas than the Bucks probably were capable of offering without Giannis. They got Crowder back, one of the best values in the NBA, they got the NBA scoring champ from last year, an unprotected 1st from the worst team in the NBA in case LeBron leaves after this year, a 2nd in 2020...and they threw in an extremely talented 1st rounder from 2016 who has a high cieling(again, particularly helpful if LeBron does leave).

 

The Cavs got incredibly lucky they were able to get back the package they did for Irving. I can't even work out how the Bucks could match that. ESPECIALLY if the Cavs end up in a position to pick up Porter or Bagley next year with that unprotected 1st they got. This could be a trade that actually keeps LeBron in Cleveland and helps them win another couple titles before he's done...and I think it makes the Celts worse in the short term and definitely in the long term.

 

 

Conversely, I don't think you have to have 3 superstars to win. Not with Giannis. I think you can build a team the way the Bucks are and contend. They need guys like Maker and Brogdon to make big jumps, they need Parker to stay healthy and be the player he looked like he was becoming last year and they need Middleton to take just one more small step. But I don't think emptying the cupboards to get Irvin would have made us contenders. I think it would have just been trying to copy what other teams have done and that's not how the Bucks got themselves back into a competitive position in the 1st place.

[nodakfan17]

Assuming Thomas returns to form and the Brooklyn picks winds up as a Top 5 selection, the Celtics offer is better than the one I suggested. However, I stand by my original statement. If I were GM, Giannis is the only untouchable piece on my roster. Even if Giannis plays at an MVP-level, do the Bucks have a championship roster? Probably not, right? So even if Giannis becomes the no. 1 player in the world, how are they going to get better without any lottery picks?

[Austin Tatious]

I like Bledsoe but there’s no way I would trade Brogdon for him. Gery Woelful asserts there is some lingering latent foot issue with him that I can’t comment on. But I think Brogdon does all the little things and he’s a glue guy that helps a team win games. I think he also has chemistry and plays well with Giannis. He’s younger than Bledsoe and has time on his affordable deal. I would not do that.

 

If Phoenix wants a draft pick and young guys, I’d look at Monroe (expiring), Delladova, and a first or DJ Wilson for Chandler and Bledsoe. Any first should always be protected in case Giannis gets hurt. Monroe’s expiring contract has value because it gets them a year closer to more financial flexibility. They take Delladova for guard depth and making salaries match. The protected first or DJ gives them another young piece. Heck, if it’s a sticking point, make it DJ AND the first to get it done.

 

A problem here is Bledsoe would make it so the Bucks would not have much cap room for the future. For the next two years, there’d be constraints.

 

And I hope Horst is smarter about getting into albatross contracts like Telly and Henson. This thinking has been plaguing the org for years. Think Gadz.

[Austin Tatious]

Another guy I wouldn’t move is Thon. Even if he’s 24 or 25, assuming he was 16 or 17 in 2010 based on the viral yearbook photo of him from Australia, he still has upside. He could play ten years. So, I think his age thing is a red herring. I think he has upside because NBA experience and training cannot be replicated. By upside I don’t mean like Giannis. Giannis is a once in a generation guy, kind of like Olajuwon was coming from Nigeria. He’s got a rare skill set.

 

What I mean about Thon is he can develop into a presence on defense. He can move his feet on p-n-r, he can switch. He’s very long inside and can be tough to shoot over. As he gains strength and experience he can hopefully rebound. He can run the floor and has potential to stretch the floor and shoot 35% from three. Guys like him don’t grow on trees. I like his skill set with Giannis.

[FVBrewerFan]

I would trade Thon, just not for Bledsoe. I would trade anyone but Giannis for the right deal.