Bucks 2022-2023 Season Thread

[GAME05]

21 hours ago, UpandIn said:

There's also just the fact that Bucks fans are kinda getting spoiled.

I just want to take a moment and appreciate that this comment was made without sarcasm. 

[CheezWizHed]

On 10/23/2022 at 11:24 AM, UpandIn said:

There's also just the fact that Bucks fans are kinda getting spoiled. Years past, we waited for opening night. Now it's just kinda waiting until we get to April before some start paying attention. 

I think part of it is how the Bucks play early in the regular season too.  Living in MN, I nearly went to the single Bucks-Timberwolves game last year.  I would've except for a conflict.  Then Giannis sat the whole game.  I would've been miffed to go to the game and not see our star player. 

Not all of us have OSS $$$ to drop $1k on tickets. ?

[nate82]

Rumors of the Bucks being interested in Crowder.  Will be hard to trade for him without creating a hole somewhere else.  Would probably be Hill and Allen to offset the salary I think haven’t checked if that is what would be needed or not.

Trading Allen would create a huge hole at SG.  

[CheezWizHed]

I think this article debunked a Crowder trade for me.  I think other teams have more value for him since he can be a Giannis-stopper (or slower-downer).  But my visions of PJ Tucker 2.0 were burst when I see he shoots a sub-35% 3PTR.

https://www.brewhoop.com/2022/10/24/23420729/report-milwaukee-bucks-have-registered-interest-in-jae-crowder-trade-phoenix-suns-nba-rumor

Bucks fans that have been clamoring for the team to trade Grayson Allen are largely holding onto his poor performance against Boston in the playoffs (while also conveniently ignoring his stellar performance the series before against Chicago), as well as remembering the fits that Crowder caused for the Bucks as an opponent. Since there is no other viable trade package that Milwaukee can offer, going all-in for Crowder seems like a mistake, especially if it happens before the new year. Getting “a guy somewhat similar to PJ Tucker” is not the same as getting PJ Tucker; that’s not a formula, that’s chasing the dragon. The Bucks should hold off on making any changes until they can see their full team, which means that they ought to make no moves until the trade deadline unless circumstances wildly change.

[GAME05]

With basically no first-rounders to give up, any trade now would really crush their ability to do anything later, worst-case if there came to be an injury with a starter. Why trade away what little flexibility we have now when we don't even know if there's a need for it yet?

[UpandIn]

3 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

I think this article debunked a Crowder trade for me.  I think other teams have more value for him since he can be a Giannis-stopper (or slower-downer).  But my visions of PJ Tucker 2.0 were burst when I see he shoots a sub-35% 3PTR.

https://www.brewhoop.com/2022/10/24/23420729/report-milwaukee-bucks-have-registered-interest-in-jae-crowder-trade-phoenix-suns-nba-rumor

Bucks fans that have been clamoring for the team to trade Grayson Allen are largely holding onto his poor performance against Boston in the playoffs (while also conveniently ignoring his stellar performance the series before against Chicago), as well as remembering the fits that Crowder caused for the Bucks as an opponent. Since there is no other viable trade package that Milwaukee can offer, going all-in for Crowder seems like a mistake, especially if it happens before the new year. Getting “a guy somewhat similar to PJ Tucker” is not the same as getting PJ Tucker; that’s not a formula, that’s chasing the dragon. The Bucks should hold off on making any changes until they can see their full team, which means that they ought to make no moves until the trade deadline unless circumstances wildly change.

They're pretty much echoing the sentiments of Eric Nehm(Sp?) from the Athletic. 

I like Crowder...but he's not a great shooter and I don't know that he's actually an upgrade. Teams are going to be selling for maybe the best NBA prospect since LeBron in next years draft. You'll likely have more teams tanking this year than ever. Plus, if Joe Ingles comes back, then where's he going to play?

It'd be nice to have Jrue, Crowder, Middleton, Ingles and Giannis on the court at times, but in a few months, you'll be able to include Nowra in a trade and other players they signed this past off-season. 

Allen is on a cheap deal, he's younger...hold onto him unless you can make a trade that significantly improves the team. 

[UpandIn]

8 hours ago, GAME05 said:

I just want to take a moment and appreciate that this comment was made without sarcasm. 

Amazing, isn't it?

I never thought we'd see a Title in my lifetime(just like a Brewers WS). 

3 hours ago, GAME05 said:

With basically no first-rounders to give up, any trade now would really crush their ability to do anything later, worst-case if there came to be an injury with a starter. Why trade away what little flexibility we have now when we don't even know if there's a need for it yet?

Yeah...you COULD trade that 2029 1st, but...damn that'd be dangerous. That'd be 1st draft without Giannis(in a worst case scenario in which Giannis leaves). 

[sveumrules]

Third quarter of this Bucks / Nets game has been pretty intense. 

Bucks overcome a 12 point deficit with Giannis doing Giannis things and some BOBBY BOBBY mixed in.

Durant got T’d up because he’s too skinny to handle Giannis then Nash got double T’d with a pretty impressive outburst, especially for a Canadian. 

[nate82]

49 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

Nash got double T’d with a pretty impressive outburst, especially for a Canadian. 

He was just angrily saying sooory.

Really impressive start by the Bucks so far without Middleton.  

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Now that was about as fun a game to be at as you can get in October. I have to admit some of the calls did seem one sided. Classic NBA letting guys box in the paint and then calling touch fouls on the perimeter.

I think BKN was called for 5 techs tonight and a Flagrant 1. And always fun to see a coach get tossed.

[Brewcrew82]

Bucks look like they're going to take the regular season more seriously this year. I wouldn't mind another 18/19-19/20-style 60 win campaign and a #1 seed. Last year was kind of ugly for stretches. Of course, I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the extra two months of rest. 

[sveumrules]

Between Giannis leading the Bucks to an undefeated start without Khris or Pat, then teams like Lakers (0-5, Pels get their 1st round pick), Nets (1-5), Heat (2-5) and Sixers (3-4) struggling or outright sucking so far, the beginning of this season has been about as close to peak entertainment as it gets. 

[long ball]

I've been really enjoying the start of the season given the state of the rest of Wisconsin sports. Can't form too many strong opinions about the group as a whole until Midds and Pat return. The offense has felt bogged down at times and their only real solution to that has been Giannis just relentlessly attacking the rim. feels like Giannis had been trying to work on his perimeter game a little more early in games and then being more aggressive in the second half. He can't be full throttle all game every game so it doesn't bother me at all and ultimately will be good for him and this team. 

I've loved the big line ups with Giannis, Bobby, and Brook. Great to see Brook healthy and playing excellent defense. Jevon Carter taking some of the defensive pressure off of Jrue to start the season isa plus. Hill has looked useful and healthy so far, let's hope that continues since I know a lot of fans were down on him due to his poor play in the playoffs. 

the rotation so far seems good to me. I can understand the desire to see Beauchamp over Nwora though. I don't really think Beauchamp is a rotation caliber player yet, but I think we will see some more of him as we get deeper into the schedule. Probably a chance for him to play some this week with 2 games against detroit and a back to back Friday/Saturday. He got a little run last night and would be cool to see him get some minutes with the core rotation players like that and not just garbage time.

Commenting on the Crowder stuff, I don't really see the fit. Feels pretty similar to what they can get from Wes and basically takes all of their usable trade fodder. would rather wait it out till deeper in the season to see what else is out there. 

[CheezWizHed]

Yes, nice to see the Bucks looking strong already.  Giannis looks like he is mid-season form.  Brooks is moving well and back to blocking everything close.  Bobby is doing Bobby things.  Interesting to see Halliday and Carter paired in the backcourt.  That would be a very tough D against Boston or other guard lead offenses. 

And we still have our "mid-season trades" coming when Khris and Pat return. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

The biggest plus of the season so far is Lopez. I don't know if it's the rest or something, but I went from thinking he was cooked to thinking he is a huge piece this year.

[sveumrules]

Nice win against a young Pistons team last night.

Detroit battled back from down 16 to tie it up with a minute left in Q4 but Jrue hit a huge step back three to take the lead, then the defense sealed the deal forcing Detroit into a contested thirty footer from Cunningham that clanked.

Play the Pistons again tomorrow night. Kind of like these little two game series they started doing. Gives a little extra intrigue to the regular season games. Will the Detroit come out hungry after just missing last night? Or will the Bucks put up another 11-40 from three (including an 0-14 stretch when DET was getting back in the game) and give the Pistons a chance?

[UpandIn]

On 11/1/2022 at 9:12 AM, sveumrules said:

Nice win against a young Pistons team last night.

Detroit battled back from down 16 to tie it up with a minute left in Q4 but Jrue hit a huge step back three to take the lead, then the defense sealed the deal forcing Detroit into a contested thirty footer from Cunningham that clanked.

Play the Pistons again tomorrow night. Kind of like these little two game series they started doing. Gives a little extra intrigue to the regular season games. Will the Detroit come out hungry after just missing last night? Or will the Bucks put up another 11-40 from three (including an 0-14 stretch when DET was getting back in the game) and give the Pistons a chance?

Yes....and no. In that order!

I love their defense this year. Carter is a stud on D. Beauchamp is probably their best on ball defender.

Giannis is...Giannis. 

Even Nwora looks respectable(ish) defensively. 

More importantly, I really like their defensive scheme. 

[sveumrules]

8 hours ago, UpandIn said:

More importantly, I really like their defensive scheme. 

Yeah, getting Brook back and looking spry-er has been huge.

But the scheme switching from letting the other team jack threes at will (40.5 opponent 3PA per 100, most in NBA last season) to making it a focus to deny them (30.3 so far this year, 5th fewest in NBA) has definitely paid dividends in the early going.

Defensive Rating of 101.9 currently best in the Association with a healthy gap before Cleveland in second at 105.5.

[homer]

It's nice they've had an easier schedule while several key contributors have been out.

[sveumrules]

50 minutes ago, homer said:

It's nice they've had an easier schedule while several key contributors have been out.

For sure. Six in a row at home after opening on the road.

ATL (5-3) only team they’ve played with a winning record so far. Other five opponents (DET, HOU, BKN, NYK, PHI) are 12-30 combined.

Nice to see them handling the opponents they are supposed to, last season they didn’t win their 7th game until game #15.

Opponents for the 13 games remaining this month should pose more of a challenge (45-32 combined record) before they kick off December with LAL, CHA, ORL, SAC and HOU.

[UpandIn]

2 hours ago, sveumrules said:

Yeah, getting Brook back and looking spry-er has been huge.

But the scheme switching from letting the other team jack threes at will (40.5 opponent 3PA per 100, most in NBA last season) to making it a focus to deny them (30.3 so far this year, 5th fewest in NBA) has definitely paid dividends in the early going.

Defensive Rating of 101.9 currently best in the Association with a healthy gap before Cleveland in second at 105.5.

Serge has looked better as well. Not 2020 Serge, but he's moving well, he's contesting. People were scratching their heads about why we'd pick him up, but he's providing nice depth and allowing them to not have to ask too much out of Lopez. 

I'd like to see Serge get 5 more MPG and Brook get 5 fewer. Just to keep Brook fresh, but he does look good. 

A problem for tomorrow, but I am curious what they're going to do with Middleton and Lopez contracts. Middleton has talked about possibly opting out (likely because they couldn't reach an extension...just the benign "I know it's a business talk.")

And I wonder if they locked up Portis knowing they'd likely lose Lopez. It's just so much money to keep him. I think this year if you took his salary away, it'd a ~57M savings. 

But this team does NOT seem worried about pinching pennies...so that's nice. Have to imagine the Greek Freak is helping them generate a lot of revenue and making them a global team. 

[CheezWizHed]

I've not jumped through the cap gymnastics to figure this out, but part of me wonders if it is time to move on from Khris (post this year)? I worry about tying that much money up in an aging (though very good) player. But I don't think we will have much problem attracting FAs (or a "forced" trades) to get another #2 to Giannis' lead. 

 

[CheezWizHed]

Also look for me tomorrow night! I'll be wearing my Buck's green in the nose-bleed section of Target Center.   Very strange to have a Friday night 9PM (central) game though.  

Last time we went, they had a basketball hoop problem and it took them over an hour to fix it.  Sadly they screwed around for a ridiculous amount of time, then finally decided to replace the hoop entirely (which took about 10 min).  Hope that doesn't happen this time...

[GAME05]

Giannis has talked a good bit about having been with Khris for so long it does make me wonder if Bucks' brass has an eye toward keeping the two of them together for as long as possible and giving Khris that Jim Gantner kinda legacy. But it does feel like Khris leaving is the natural order of things. He's won it here and a new team will mean opportunities to score even more points and get out of that very big Giannis shadow to end his career.

I suddenly had a vision of replacing Khris with Kyrie next season and I didn't totally hate the thought.

[Brewcrew82]

5 hours ago, GAME05 said:

Giannis has talked a good bit about having been with Khris for so long it does make me wonder if Bucks' brass has an eye toward keeping the two of them together for as long as possible and giving Khris that Jim Gantner kinda legacy. But it does feel like Khris leaving is the natural order of things. He's won it here and a new team will mean opportunities to score even more points and get out of that very big Giannis shadow to end his career.

I suddenly had a vision of replacing Khris with Kyrie next season and I didn't totally hate the thought.

I totally hate the thought given all of the insane drama that Kyrie brings with him everywhere he goes. And now the latest episode...Absolutely not.