2021-22 NBA Thread: The Bucks are Reigning Champs

[The Sultan]

Yeah. It's a phrase people use sometimes. Sorry you take it so literally. The more literal version is probably just taking whatever matchup comes the team's way head on and not dodging a certain matchup, giving the team the mindset they're ready to take on anyone.

In reality I don't think the Bucks title run and Olympic run wore them out. I think Middleton's injury left them without their second best player and they couldn't overcome it. The Cavs and Warriors had no problems performing while playing a lot of basketball every year.

I agree with your second paragraph. But the first round match up was irrelevant. When push came to shove, they had a home game to clinch. And they just didn't get it done.

[Uncle Rico]

Send Giannis back to Greece

[MU82]

Welp ... you know the old saying that dates back to Dr. Naismith's time ...

Tough to win when you get outscored by about 50 points from the 3-point line.

[4everwarriors]

Peddle da 'hole fookin' teem, koaches, and ownership. Turn da dear dystrick back inta ded, vacant freeway. Everythin' fookin' sucks, aina?

[Uncle Rico]

Peddle da 'hole fookin' teem, koaches, and ownership. Turn da dear dystrick back inta ded, vacant freeway. Everythin' fookin' sucks, aina?

Yes

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

They don't really need to improve the roster though. If Middleton is healthy they win this series and probably the title. And Giannis has improved every year and will again.

Last year the Nets were the best team. Bucks invited the challenging first round series last year, swept the Heat (lol at the poster comparing the Heat's bubble run to the Bucks real title and Olympics, plus the Bucks losing in 7 in the second round while the Heat got swept in a whimper round 1 last year), got a sweep, then the basketball Gods smiled down on them and gave them the advantage of some injuries. This year the C's invited the tough first round matchup while the Bucks dodged it, and the C's swept the tougher matchup and then the basketball God's smiled down on them with an injury that helped them win in 7.

Nets we're the best team last year but the Bucks won the title. Bucks are the best team this year but won't win the title.

Not sure what Giannis can do to become better.  Unless he suddenly becomes a knockdown shooter, I think he's reached his peak.  Which is still as good as any player in the league. So my questions are about the rest of the roster.

I'm worried about Middleton, Holiday, and Lopez declining with age.  They will turn 31, 32, and 34 next season.  There isn't a young up-and-comer on the roster.  Not many trade assets.  Slim chance they can get a steal in the draft at 24.

I see a roster at risk of declining without many ways to get better.

[Uncle Rico]

Not sure what Giannis can do to become better.  Unless he suddenly becomes a knockdown shooter, I think he's reached his peak.  Which is still as good as any player in the league. So my questions are about the rest of the roster.

I'm worried about Middleton, Holiday, and Lopez declining with age.  They will turn 31, 32, and 34 next season.  There isn't a young up-and-comer on the roster.  Not many trade assets.  Slim chance they can get a steal in the draft at 24.

I see a roster at risk of declining without many ways to get better.

Has the potential to be a wild off-season for the Bucks.  Assume they bring the core back to take another swing but wonder if they won't be tempted to really tinker if given the opportunities

[MUfan12]

Has the potential to be a wild off-season for the Bucks.  Assume they bring the core back to take another swing but wonder if they won't be tempted to really tinker if given the opportunities

They mortgaged the draft for Jrue and Khris is Giannis' guy. Brook seems like the only major piece that could be moved.

[Uncle Rico]

They mortgaged the draft for Jrue and Khris is Giannis' guy. Brook seems like the only major piece that could be moved.

I'm not even sure that does much anyway as far as a return in value. 

[Skatastrophy]

How long does Coach Bud have before he's on the hot seat again?

[tower912]

Years.

[4everwarriors]

He's gotta get better, better, better, hey?

[The Sultan]

How long does Coach Bud have before he's on the hot seat again?

IMO if they start slow next year, he will be out for Darvin Ham.

[cheebs09]

IMO if they start slow next year, he will be out for Darvin Ham.

Yea, Vogel got let go 2 years after a championship. I also really believe if they didn't make the Finals last year he was gone.

[tower912]

If Milwaukee fires him, he will have another gig very quickly.

[MuggsyB]

The Mavs up big early in Phoenix. 

[MuggsyB]

Wow.....is every player on the Suns dating a Kardashian?

[The Sultan]

If Milwaukee fires him, he will have another gig very quickly.

No doubt.

[wadesworld]

I don't love some of the game plans Bud has had, but I think he's been awesome for the Bucks. He immediately took the Bucks from a team with an exciting future to the best record in the league back to back years, went to an ECF year one (and yes they choked away a 2-0 lead and he didn't make some adjustments he could have, but he also had Eric Bledsoe as his point guard), won a title in year 3, and forced what us maybe the best team remaining to a 7th game down his second best player. I'd grade him an A with the Bucks at the very worst, maybe even an A+.

[Dish]

Doncic has as many points as the Suns at half.

[wadesworld]

Doncic has as many points as the Suns at half.

Hilarious given Booker and CP3 were laughing about Doncic's defense after game 2.  Those two have combined for 0 field goals and 3 total points in the first half.  Sad.

Went about as well as after game 5 of the Finals last year when CP3 said everyone knows Giannis is going to miss free throws, even Giannis knows it.  Then Giannis went 17/19 in game 6.  Oops.

[The Sultan]

I don't love some of the game plans Bud has had, but I think he's been awesome for the Bucks. He immediately took the Bucks from a team with an exciting future to the best record in the league back to back years, went to an ECF year one (and yes they choked away a 2-0 lead and he didn't make some adjustments he could have, but he also had Eric Bledsoe as his point guard), won a title in year 3, and forced what us maybe the best team remaining to a 7th game down his second best player. I'd grade him an A with the Bucks at the very worst, maybe even an A+.

I am not saying I want him gone. I am just saying that I think he might be if they start slow.

[MUfan12]

I wouldn't can him, but I would strongly encourage he add an offensive specialist to the staff. Their halfcourt offense needs a lot of work.

[MuggsyB]

92-50?  This is crazy.

[MuggsyB]

I wouldn't can him, but I would strongly encourage he add an offensive specialist to the staff. Their halfcourt offense needs a lot of work.

4 for 31 is a problem but they can find the right pieces with Giannis, Middleton, and Holiday.