2021-22 NBA Thread: The Bucks are Reigning Champs

[The Sultan]

Just bad offense to start the fourth two games in a row. Today it came back to bite them.

[MuggsyB]

Just bad offense to start the fourth two games in a row. Today it came back to bite them.

All iso ball, no ball movement whatsoever..  Terrible offense. 

[MuggsyB]

Very disappointing performance by Milwaukee.

[BM1090]

Boston is just better without KM. It is what it is. They could win the series with two monster Giannis games but there isn't really a path.

[The Sultan]

Boston is just better without KM. It is what it is. They could win the series with two monster Giannis games but there isn't really a path.

Grayson has been a huge disappointment

[MuggsyB]

Boston is just better without KM. It is what it is. They could win the series with two monster Giannis games but there isn't really a path.

it does look that way.  Holiday can't have a night like he did this evening.

[Skatastrophy]

These series in the East have been pretty good so far. I enjoy watching all 4 teams.

[Jockey]

Do the Bucks realize Horford hasn't retired yet?

[Skatastrophy]

Do the Bucks realize Horford hasn't retired yet?

Man, the Sixers gave Horford a bag a few years back. He's really earning it this series lol

[MUfan12]

Boston is just better without KM. It is what it is. They could win the series with two monster Giannis games but there isn't really a path.

Yep. Jrue and the bench (outside of Pat) have turned into pumpkins. Unless something changes dramatically, they're toast.

[Pakuni]

https://twitter.com/AnnaHorford/status/1523840244067536897?s=20&t=y0hiwjXV613mH5viPNjhBw

[🏀]

Refs being told to advance Boston, no doubt.

[The Sultan]

https://twitter.com/AnnaHorford/status/1523840244067536897?s=20&t=y0hiwjXV613mH5viPNjhBw

Lol ok...

[The Sultan]

Do the Bucks realize Horford hasn't retired yet?

It's clear what the Bucks' strategy is in this series.  They are helping off Horford to protect the rim against the likes of Tatum.  But the Cs are now sticking him in the short corner where he is killing them.  What you may see in response is bringing back Bobby to guard Horford, and then stick Giannis on Marcus Smart instead.

[MuggsyB]

It's clear what the Bucks' strategy is in this series.  They are helping off Horford to protect the rim against the likes of Tatum.  But the Cs are now sticking him in the short corner where he is killing them.  What you may see in response is bringing back Bobby to guard Horford, and then stick Giannis on Marcus Smart instead.

The bigger problem is their offense.

[JWags85]

I dont know whats funnier, Gobert saying he'd lock Shaq up...or all the people on social media who clearly never saw Shaq play before 2008 who say he'd struggle in today's NBA

[The Sultan]

The bigger problem is their offense.

No doubt.  The Middleton injury is really a problem without an easy solution.  Short of "Grayson Allen getting really hot" I guess.  When you invest in a "big 3," you can go without one of them for a game or two, but good teams are going to figure you out eventually.

I also think they are really regretting that Dante trade right now.  (I know at the time they were unsure of Brook's return and needed a serviceable big.)
He at least would have been another potential offensive spark with decent defense.  (Unlike Nwora.)  But Serge is a big, fat nothing.

[MUfan12]

I also think they are really regretting that Dante trade right now.  (I know at the time they were unsure of Brook's return and needed a serviceable big.)
He at least would have been another potential offensive spark with decent defense.  (Unlike Nwora.)

Disagree here. Donte was awful on the offensive end. Very inconsistent shooter and a terrible finisher at the rim.

They need more from Allen and Portis. Pat and Wes are doing their jobs.

Also I don't get Bud's fixation on playing George Hill. He's been a total zero, at least Carter gave you some defense.

[The Sultan]

Disagree here. Donte was awful on the offensive end. Very inconsistent shooter and a terrible finisher at the rim.

I get all that.  But Serge is sitting on the bench playing garbage time and you are getting nothing from Allen.

They need more from Allen and Portis. Pat and Wes are doing their jobs.

Maybe more Pat is an answer?

Also I don't get Bud's fixation on playing George Hill. He's been a total zero, at least Carter gave you some defense.

I have questioned the whole George Hill thing since he was signed in the off season.  I have seen nothing all year that has made me change my mind.

[brewcity77]

My biggest worry with the Bucks when Middleton went down was that you can't have Greyson Allen be your second best player in a championship run. Sure, it might work against the Bulls, but it won't hold up against the elite teams. I still think this series is a toss-up. The Bucks have shown they can win in Boston and it seems the C's only defense against Giannis is falling over, but they need someone else to hit some shots and will need Middleton back sooner rather than later if they really want to make a run at repeating.

[JWags85]

My biggest worry with the Bucks when Middleton went down was that you can't have Greyson Allen be your second best player in a championship run. Sure, it might work against the Bulls, but it won't hold up against the elite teams. I still think this series is a toss-up. The Bucks have shown they can win in Boston and it seems the C's only defense against Giannis is falling over, but they need someone else to hit some shots and will need Middleton back sooner rather than later if they really want to make a run at repeating.

Is Jrue suddenly out for the rest of the playoffs?

[wadesworld]

Is Jrue suddenly out for the rest of the playoffs?

For some reason Jrue seems to be much better when Giannis is on the bench.  He just seems to be much more assertive and efficient with Giannis out, running a 2 man game with him and Brook.  When Giannis is in the game he defers and tries to go too much iso, as they don't really run a ton of Giannis/Jrue pick and rolls.

Jrue absolutely needs to be better and they need something out of Grayson and Bobby, but the reality is their defense was the issue in the 4th quarter.  The offense is too reliant on Giannis trying to get the matchup he wants, but they still scored 28 points in the 4th.  The problem was they gave up 43!  And the C's didn't try to score in the last minute, so 43 in 11 minutes.

That just feels like a back breaker last night.  Of course they showed they're capable of winning at Boston, and Giannis is the best player in the world and when you have that you always have a chance, but it's hard to imagine them winning 2 of the next 3 when they don't have the home court advantage and Tatum finally got it going down the stretch.

[The Sultan]

Yeah, Tatum played like crap for seven straight quarters but hit the big shots when he needed to.  I agree wades that that felt like a must win.

[brewcity77]

Is Jrue suddenly out for the rest of the playoffs?

No, but just look at him last night. 5/22 from the floor? 16 points on 22 shots? And that's the sixth game this postseason where he's had more shots taken than points scored. FG% is down, 3PFG% is down, he just hasn't been a great offensive option. They simply aren't getting any reliable offense from anyone other than Giannis.

[JWags85]

No, but just look at him last night. 5/22 from the floor? 16 points on 22 shots? And that's the sixth game this postseason where he's had more shots taken than points scored. FG% is down, 3PFG% is down, he just hasn't been a great offensive option. They simply aren't getting any reliable offense from anyone other than Giannis.

Sure, but he still added 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals.  He's averaging 6 and 6 throughout the playoffs.  His scoring efficiency is way down, no doubt, but he's still contributing a lot, not to mention his profound defensive impact.

He's unquestionably their second best player and to suggest otherwise, even if his scoring output isn't what you ideally want, is dramatic and silly