Bucks 2021-2022 season thread

[brewerfan82]

Living in Maryland, I pay for NBA League Pass to watch all the games, but I've actually been surprised by how many game I could get without it (and probably should consider dropping it considering that). 22 of the remaining 41 games will be on ABC, TNT, NBA TV, or ESPN (with only 4 of those being only available on ESPN).

[DuWayne Steurer]

Bench is 3 of 23 shooting (again) tonight and trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

[DuWayne Steurer]

This bench is hot trash. That might be offensive to trash.

[nodakfan17]

The best play in Bucks’ history is the Valley Oop, right?

[Baldkin]

The best play in Bucks’ history is the Valley Oop, right?

 

That or Kareem's double OT sky hook in game 6 to force game 7 in 1974.

[SeaBass]

The best play in Bucks’ history is the Valley Oop, right?

Combined with the steal by Holliday that led to it, it just might be.

[nate82]

The Bucks absolutely crushed the Warriors in the first half. The Bucks were cruising 77-38 at halftime. There were 0 lead changes and the game was only tied once. That is absolutely dominating!

[DuWayne Steurer]

I'm sure a lot of teams can say this, but the Bucks are like 16- 3 when Giannis, Midds, and Jrue all play. Everyone is dealing with injuries and Covid, but when they're healthy, the Bucks are (obviously) one of the top 2-3-4 teams in the league. If (and that's a big if) they can be healthy at the end of the season, I'm not worried about the seeding or whatever. They just need to be healthy.

[Joseph Zarr]

I'm sure a lot of teams can say this, but the Bucks are like 16- 3 when Giannis, Midds, and Jrue all play. Everyone is dealing with injuries and Covid, but when they're healthy, the Bucks are (obviously) one of the top 2-3-4 teams in the league. If (and that's a big if) they can be healthy at the end of the season, I'm not worried about the seeding or whatever. They just need to be healthy.

 

Absolutely. Their season, to date, has been such a train wreck with injuries and COVID - heck, Bud hit the COVID list this past week and we were left with Ham to lead the team (not a fan of the early returns on his approach at the helm, fwiw). They have clearly demonstrated they can dominate 'The Big Boys' when they are motivated. The only thing that really matters is getting to the Playoffs with a reasonable state of Health. I don't think anyone can expect Brook to be anything this season - I don't know how you anticipate a man of his size to come back to what he was off of consecutive back surgeries...like, at all. Bobby has been so good tho, in different ways, it simply becomes a matter of how they continue to accentuate what he brings as opposed to focusing on what we've lost with Brook - and what we've lost is fairly huge in more ways than his physical stature. BUT, if we have healthy guard depth we can shut down most if not all back courts to a reasonable degree. Nobody can stop Giannis...at all. And, we may add an interesting piece or two by the Deadline. This regular season has stunk for the most part, but as you point to: the seeding etc just doesn't matter. They simply need to get to the Playoffs with a reasonable degree of health. Let the chips fall where they may from there. A repeat is certainly a possibility if they have that health.

 

Edit to Add:

 

All this talk of Curry as an MVP favorite is a wee nuts to me. Not as ridiculous by any measure as Wiggins being 3rd overall in Western Conference fan voting for the ASG - good gracious - BUT definitely needs to be pointed out. There is Giannis and there is Jokic. Really, that's the discussion. From there, I wouldn't even put Curry ahead of Morant. He is a fantastic offensive player and broke Ray's record. But, let's be real: he's been really bad for 2 weeks now. And, previous to that he has never been a meaningful anything on the defensive side of the ball. I find it baffling. And, well, my opinion really doesn't mean anything. Lol.

[nodakfan17]

It’s odd to think about how Ray Allen has been erased from NBA history:

 

- The Bucks traded him to Seattle for no good reason after 7 seasons; Giannis will forever be #34 in fans’ eyes.

 

- He then played 4 1/2 seasons for a team that no longer exists.

 

- His 2008 Celtics teammates disowned him for joining the Heat

 

- Steph Curry just passed him as the all-time leader in 3PM. Curry will probably finish his career with 4,000 3PM (1,000 more than Allen).

[nate82]

It’s odd to think about how Ray Allen has been erased from NBA history:

 

- The Bucks traded him to Seattle for no good reason after 7 seasons; Giannis will forever be #34 in fans’ eyes.

 

- He then played 4 1/2 seasons for a team that no longer exists.

 

- His 2008 Celtics teammates disowned him for joining the Heat

 

- Steph Curry just passed him as the all-time leader in 3PM. Curry will probably finish his career with 4,000 3PM (1,000 more than Allen).

 

Ray Allen was a great player but not really a super star in the league when he played. Around the league he was widely respected but he wasn't one of the stars in the league when he played at least not what is considered a star player now. Allen just didn't have that name recognition like other players had at that time. Garnet, Iverson, Kobe and others were just more popular at the time when Allen was playing.

 

As for the last part that would be the difference between how the game was played when Allen was playing and now. There are a whole lot more 3's being shot than when Allen was playing. The mid game or the Jordan game was more popular when Allen was playing. Allen would probably have put up more 3's if he were playing the game now.

[DuWayne Steurer]

It’s odd to think about how Ray Allen has been erased from NBA history:

 

- The Bucks traded him to Seattle for no good reason after 7 seasons; Giannis will forever be #34 in fans’ eyes.

 

- He then played 4 1/2 seasons for a team that no longer exists.

 

- His 2008 Celtics teammates disowned him for joining the Heat

 

- Steph Curry just passed him as the all-time leader in 3PM. Curry will probably finish his career with 4,000 3PM (1,000 more than Allen).

 

Bucks traded Allen because he didn't get along with George Karl. It might be said that that isn't a good reason, but there was some "ego management" issues, and Karl and Allen didn't see eye to eye. When the Payton/Mason package was available, they took it, probably hoping they could sign Payton to an extension (which we know they didn't).

[Joseph Zarr]

It’s odd to think about how Ray Allen has been erased from NBA history:

 

- The Bucks traded him to Seattle for no good reason after 7 seasons; Giannis will forever be #34 in fans’ eyes.

 

- He then played 4 1/2 seasons for a team that no longer exists.

 

- His 2008 Celtics teammates disowned him for joining the Heat

 

- Steph Curry just passed him as the all-time leader in 3PM. Curry will probably finish his career with 4,000 3PM (1,000 more than Allen).

 

Bucks traded Allen because he didn't get along with George Karl. It might be said that that isn't a good reason, but there was some "ego management" issues, and Karl and Allen didn't see eye to eye. When the Payton/Mason package was available, they took it, probably hoping they could sign Payton to an extension (which we know they didn't).

 

I hate that trade as much now as I did then. Lol. Don’t forget: the Bucks also tossed in a conditional 1st Round draft pick in that deal. Good gracious. George Karl. I shutter at the mere mention of his name.

[nodakfan17]

Bucks traded Allen because he didn't get along with George Karl. It might be said that that isn't a good reason, but there was some "ego management" issues, and Karl and Allen didn't see eye to eye. When the Payton/Mason package was available, they took it, probably hoping they could sign Payton to an extension (which we know they didn't).

To me, that’s a George Karl problem (the guy’s autobiography was called Furious George). Lots of NBA players have egos and coaches are paid handsomely to manage them. Ray Allen always struck me as a pretty sensible guy by NBA standards, so I have a hard time believing he was the main cause of that rift.

[nodakfan17]

Ray Allen was a great player but not really a super star in the league when he played. Around the league he was widely respected but he wasn't one of the stars in the league when he played at least not what is considered a star player now.

True, he wasn’t going to make many video game covers in his prime, but he’s been appropriately recognized: 10x All-Star and one of the NBA’s 75 (76?) Greatest Players. I guess my point was that he became an NBA nomad through little fault of his own (aside from maybe joining the Heat as a FA). Giannis will always be #34 for the Bucks, the Sonics don’t exist, he doesn’t get invited to Celtics’ reunions, and he only spent 2 years with the Heat.

[nodakfan17]

Last month, my concern level for the Bucks was probably a 2 / 10. But they continue to perform unevenly (beat the the #1 Warriors, but lose to the .500 Raptors) and now I think it’s probably a 3 or 4. I still think they’ll pull it together and be contenders come April, but they can’t seem to catch a break with injuries / COVID. In their defense, few teams have enjoyed exceptional health and consistency this season. It’s been a weird year.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Last month, my concern level for the Bucks was probably a 2 / 10. But they continue to perform unevenly (beat the the #1 Warriors, but lose to the .500 Raptors) and now I think it’s probably a 3 or 4. I still think they’ll pull it together and be contenders come April, but they can’t seem to catch a break with injuries / COVID. In their defense, few teams have enjoyed exceptional health and consistency this season. It’s been a weird year.

 

They are on cruise control. If we get to spring and they are still dealing with the same types of issues, then the worry will be legit.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I have 0 concern. Nobody outside of the Nets has any chance beating the Bucks in the East playoffs. And the Warriors, while a really good team, have a huge matchup issue with Giannis. I think the odds of a Finals rematch are pretty solid. The Bulls and Heat are cute regular season teams that will be fortunate taking them to 6.

[Joseph Zarr]

I think it's fair to question what is actually going on with these Bucks. Why do they insist on zero Big depth? Why did they really jettison Boogie - was it a personality conflict in-team OR was it penny-pinching by an ownership group (the same group that let PJ Tucker walk for clear salary cap reasons)? Are they really just cruising along and these really inconsistent performances are a mere by-product of apathy or a disregard for the regular season?

 

I get the COVID season is hard on every team. I get it the Bucks have certainly been dealing with their fair sure of challenges. BUT, outside of that, any lifelong fan has to wonder what is actually going on with the Team. I think this current Bucks team reminds me wayyyyyy more of the collapsed and completely uninspired team I saw in the COVID Bubble more than the Championship Team of just last season. Which team are they really? I couldn't tell you. All I see is a complete unknown. There is nothing to be confident in other than Giannis is an All-Time Great.

[Baldkin]

They are 2 games worse than they were last year. 29-17 vs 27-19.

 

Is it really time to panic?

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I'll be worried when they go down 2-0 in the first round.

[nodakfan17]

They are 2 games worse than they were last year. 29-17 vs 27-19.

 

Is it really time to panic?

That’s good perspective. Thanks.

 

To be clear, I’m not in panic mode. I’m just at the point of where I’m raising an eyebrow.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

They are 2 games worse than they were last year. 29-17 vs 27-19.

 

Is it really time to panic?

That’s good perspective. Thanks.

 

To be clear, I’m not in panic mode. I’m just at the point of where I’m raising an eyebrow.

 

Of all the professional sports, the NBA has always been the one where regular season results matter the least. If we get to April and the Bucks haven't figured out how to inject more size into the lineup, I'll be worried. Because that means that Lopez hasn't come back yet, and they struck out on the trade/buyout market. They are getting eaten alive inside right now, which makes the decision to jettison Cousins all the more confusing.

[Joseph Zarr]

They are 2 games worse than they were last year. 29-17 vs 27-19.

 

Is it really time to panic?

 

Definitely not. I am simply asking questions. I've been watching these Buckaroos for too long as a fan of NBA basketball and lifelong Bucks fan. I simply see 'concerning' tendencies across the board.

 

Now, all this being said, when they've actually been healthy - which is, what, a week or two maybe?!? - they've been just fine. SO, it's hard to make anything of anything. But, the inconsistency when mostly healthy is a concern. The lack of Big depth is a concern for several reasons - especially considering Brook's return is anything but certain. The Boogie situation I alluded to above - I also notice he hasn't been picked up since his stint which is telling, perhaps, of how he is perceived in the League? Other than that, overall, I agree with what Ron and others are saying: none of this really matters.

 

I'll be curious to see what Horst does with that flexibility he desired (or at least publicly stated) when they released Boogie. At this point, honestly, I just want the regular season to be over to gauge who this Bucks team actually is. My 2 meaningless cents.

[BillScottCanRake]

As of this post, I am not entirely sure what I think of the Bucks chance to repeat.

 

I read somewhere the Bucks are 15-3 when they start Giannis, Portis, Middleton, Holiday, and Allen, which is encouraging. That makes them 12-16 in the rest of their games, which isn't great, but some of those games they may have only had 1 or 2 preferred starters. I suspect they won't win 83% of their games when they play their preferred lineup, but I also think they are better than 12-16 when they are missing a piece or two, and hopefully we won't see a Jrue and Giannis plus the Herd when the playoffs start.

 

I am very curious to see how this team plays post-All Star Break, specifically down the stretch. I think I'll have a much better feel for the teams chances in the playoffs as they get closer to them. I will for sure feel a lot better if they are on a bit of a roll when the playoffs start.