2021-22 NBA Thread: The Bucks are Reigning Champs

[The Sultan]

Westbrook may need the ball in his hands but he's never really been a #1 option than coukd take a team anywhere  Wade altered his game with Lebron but was always much more efficient than Westbrook.  It seeks like Westbrook's shot went from average to awful for some reason.

That's just not an accurate statement.  Westbrook was pretty darn efficient toward the end of his days in OKC and in 2016-17 lead the league in PER, BPM and VORP.  There was simply nobody around him except a young Oladipo and Kanter.  His problem is that his game is predicated on quickness and he's just slowing down.  He can't get to the spots on the floor where he used to get.

[MuggsyB]

What happened to the Bucks' defense?  They look horrific on that end of the floor.

[jficke13]

What happened to the Bucks' defense?  They look horrific on that end of the floor.

Won tho

[PGsHeroes32]

Looking like a really solid chance its Bucks/Nets in Round 1.

[GB Warrior]

Looking like a really solid chance its Bucks/Nets in Round 1.

They are guaranteed to finish 7th or 8th. I personally would have avoided, but this guarantees home court if you get to the 2nd round. If you can't get there, you don't deserve to be there.

[MuggsyB]

It's looking like Bucks/Nets.  If they beat Brooklyn they will be more prepared to advance in the playoffs than vs Chicago.  The Bulls are a complete dumpster fire.

[The Sultan]

It's looking like Bucks/Nets.  If they beat Brooklyn they will be more prepared to advance in the playoffs than vs Chicago.  The Bulls are a complete dumpster fire.

The Bucks don't need to be "prepared." 

[Skatastrophy]

Boston could still take the 2 seed with a Cleveland win over the bucks and Boston win.

[BM1090]

Boston could still take the 2 seed with a Cleveland win over the bucks and Boston win.

And the Bucks will be resting everyone and Boston likely has reason to avoid the four seed and Toronto

[withoutbias]

This is like last year when everyone was saying the Bucks should lose to the Heat to avoid playing the Heat in the first round, and then the Bucks came out and kicked their ass to lock in the matchup and swept their ass on their way to a title.

I don't think the Bucks are going to be throwing any game to get any specific matchups. Play your best ball and let the chips fall where they may.

[BM1090]

This is like last year when everyone was saying the Bucks should lose to the Heat to avoid playing the Heat in the first round, and then the Bucks came out and kicked their ass to lock in the matchup and swept their ass on their way to a title.

I don't think the Bucks are going to be throwing any game to get any specific matchups. Play your best ball and let the chips fall where they may.

The Bucks are resting four starters and another two rotation players today. I'm sure the remaining guys will go out there to win, but they obviously aren't gunning for the 2 seed.

[MuggsyB]

The Bucks are resting four starters and another two rotation players today. I'm sure the remaining guys will go out there to win, but they obviously aren't gunning for the 2 seed.

Boston probably doesn't want the 4 seed.  Although I'm not sure what Memphis will do with Morant just getting beck.

[MuggsyB]

I'm not so sure the Bucks made the right decision giving up the #2 seed.  Boston is good, especially if Williams comes back.   I don't see much of a reason for avoiding Brooklyn in the 1st round if you think you'll meet them in the 2nd round.  But more importantly Boston may very well be better than Brooklyn and will certainly be favored in that series. Why give up home court in the 2nd round?

[Dish]

Wish the Bulls season didn't go to hell, a Bulls/Bucks playoff series would have been fun under different circumstances. Bucks will make very quick work of the Bulls in round 1.

[The Sultan]

I'm not so sure the Bucks made the right decision giving up the #2 seed.  Boston is good, especially if Williams comes back.   I don't see much of a reason for avoiding Brooklyn in the 1st round if you think you'll meet them in the 2nd round.  But more importantly Boston may very well be better than Brooklyn and will certainly be favored in that series. Why give up home court in the 2nd round?

Cause the first round opponent is easier.

[MuggsyB]

Cause the first round opponent is easier.

But losing in the 1st or 2nd rd would be disappointing for the Bucks.  We'll agree to disagree Fluffy.

[PGsHeroes32]

But losing in the 1st or 2nd rd would be disappointing for the Bucks.  We'll agree to disagree Fluffy.

Bucks are not afraid of playing an extra road game.

They also are not afraid of any oppenent. But they will make mince meat of Chicago. Nets would make them exert more.

The path they have now is just fine.

[MuggsyB]

Bucks are not afraid of playing an extra road game.

They also are not afraid of any oppenent. But they will make mince meat of Chicago. Nets would make them exert more.

The path they have now is just fine.

I guess that's a fair point.....but I can concede that and still disagree with Fluffy. 

[MUfan12]

I actually think Boston matches up fairly well with Brooklyn. I'm not advancing the Nets quite yet.

[MuggsyB]

I actually think Boston matches up fairly well with Brooklyn. I'm not advancing the Nets quite yet.

No doubt.  Obviously Durant is Durant but the Nets aren't good defensively.  Also, I as talented as Kyrie is getting 4 great games out of his isn't a given.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm not so sure the Bucks made the right decision giving up the #2 seed.  Boston is good, especially if Williams comes back.   I don't see much of a reason for avoiding Brooklyn in the 1st round if you think you'll meet them in the 2nd round.  But more importantly Boston may very well be better than Brooklyn and will certainly be favored in that series. Why give up home court in the 2nd round?

I think it is pretty simple. Milwaukee would rather play Chicago then the winner of Boston/Brooklyn then play Brooklyn followed by either the 76ers or the Celtics.

There are 4 contenders besides the Bucks in the east. No harm in making 2 of them play each other in the first round while the Bucks get to beat up on the Bulls.

[MU82]

I think it is pretty simple. Milwaukee would rather play Chicago then the winner of Boston/Brooklyn then play Brooklyn followed by either the 76ers or the Celtics.

There are 4 contenders besides the Bucks in the east. No harm in making 2 of them play each other in the first round while the Bucks get to beat up on the Bulls.

I'm generally not one for tanking, and if the basketball gods had any sense of humor they'd have the Bulls rise up to somehow pull off the upset - or at the very least have the Bucks lose to the Celtics in G7 in Boston in R2.

However, it's hard to argue with the logic of playing an obviously reeling Chicago team in the first round while two very good teams beat each other up.

Frankly, I'm a little surprised the Celtics didn't tank right back.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Frankly, I'm a little surprised the Celtics didn't tank right back.

If they did though, they would have ended up in the 4 seed which puts them up against the 1 seed in the second round. It also likely means never having home court advantage after round 1, whereas the Bucks could have home court advantage in round 2 if the Nets pull off the upset.

Thirdly, they would have ended up playing Toronto in round one. There is some speculation that there is at least one unvaccinated player of note on the Celtics  which would have put them in a bind for the games in Toronto.

[The Sultan]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Toronto upset the Sixers too.  That playoff series is going to be a grind.

[cheebs09]

Am I too much of a homer if I think it was more about getting guys rest and preventing injury than tanking?