2021-22 NBA Thread: The Bucks are Reigning Champs

[MU82]

Doesn't matter. There's no selection committee to impress, no NET ranking to build.

As one of the many here who saw every playoff game during the Bulls' six title runs, they had many clunkers.

In their 1998 postseason opener, they needed OT to beat a barely-.500 New Jersey team, and they struggled in the next game too. The previous year, they scored 73 points in a Finals loss to Utah and played horribly in a home loss to Atlanta.

And hell, the Bucks lost their opener in 3 of their series last year. After losing the opener at Brooklyn, they then lost Game 2 by 805 points. Still won the series.

And this wasn't even a loss, so folks need to chill. There ain't no style points.

[MUfan12]

I’m not sure about the 3rd win, but it’s not like the last two have been all that convincing either. Yesterday and last year against Miami were pretty ugly wins.

They blew out Detroit in Bud's first year.

My concern level remains at zero when it comes to this series. Wouldn't shock me to see the Bulls take one in Chicago, but I don't think this goes past 5 games.

[wadesworld]

Yep. I think today makes them 3-8 in game ones since Bud took over.

They for sure have 4 wins in game 1s of a series.  Off the top of my head...yesterday, Heat last year (sweep), Pistons Bud's first year (sweep), Raptors ECF (up 2-0, should've been up 3-0).  Losses were C's Bud's first year (win in 5), Magic in the Micky Mouse tournament (win in 5), Heat in the Micky Mouse tournament (lose in 5), Nets last year (win in 7), Hawks last year (win in 6), Suns last year (win in 6).

So I think 4-6?

[MUfan12]

They for sure have 4 wins in game 1s of a series.  Off the top of my head...yesterday, Heat last year (sweep), Pistons Bud's first year (sweep), Raptors ECF (up 2-0, should've been up 3-0).  Losses were C's Bud's first year (win in 5), Magic in the Micky Mouse tournament (win in 5), Heat in the Micky Mouse tournament (lose in 5), Nets last year (win in 7), Hawks last year (win in 6), Suns last year (win in 6).

So I think 4-6?

Forgot about Toronto in the ECF, good catch.

18-19: 2-1
19-20: 0-2
20-21: 1-3

[MuggsyB]

So much for the Philly/Toronto series being competitive. 

[MuggsyB]

Nice to see Brunson lighting it up. 

[forgetful]

Nice to see Brunson lighting it up.

Doncic being out really changed that series.

[MuggsyB]

Doncic being out really changed that series.

Ya.  I missed how he injured himself but that's a real shame. 

[MuggsyB]

Would you take Jokic or Embiid?  I put Giannis on a higher tier.  Jokic is tremendously skilled for a man that large.  He's sort of like a bigger Duncan (offensively)  but with better ball skills and range.

[forgetful]

Ya.  I missed how he injured himself but that's a real shame.

Up 16 in the 3rd quarter in a game largely playing for nothing. Similar injury to the one Durant had...then rushed back and tore his achilles.

An example of why the Bucks rested their starters the last game of the year.

[MuggsyB]

Up 16 in the 3rd quarter in a game largely playing for nothing. Similar injury to the one Durant had...then rushed back and tore his achilles.

An example of why the Bucks rested their starters the last game of the year.

Would be.a heck of a win if Dallas pulls this off. Maybe it's me but I think Jokic is cooler than Doncic. 

[forgetful]

Would be.a heck of a win if Dallas pulls this off. Maybe it's me but I think Jokic is cooler than Doncic.

Brunson with a 40 pt game.

Regarding Jokic and Doncic. Jokic is clearly the better player right now, but Doncic is actually a pretty good dude in general.

[forgetful]

Monte Morris with an absolutely moronic technical.

[MuggsyB]

Brunson with a 40 pt game.

Regarding Jokic and Doncic. Jokic is clearly the better player right now, but Doncic is actually a pretty good dude in general.

Doncic has the ball in his hands a lot more and can launch indiscriminately.  I like that Jokic basically doesn't force shots and let's the game come to him.  He's also a legit 7'0, 305.  Truthfully Denver doesn't have much with Murray out.  However, if Draymond Green was guarding me and I was Jokic I would pound him down low and drop 55-65 pts. 

[forgetful]

Doncic has the ball in his hands a lot more and can launch indiscriminately.  I like that Jokic basically doesn't force shots and let's the game come to him.  He's also a legit 7'0, 305.  Truthfully Denver doesn't have much with Murray out.  However, if Draymond Green was guarding me and I was Jokic I would pound him down low and drop 55-65 pts. 

You'd think he would do that, but Green holds his own, and there is nothing Denver can do to counter the Curry, Klay, Poole lineup.

[MuggsyB]

Curry appears to be feeling okay. 

[MuggsyB]

If Poole plays anywhere near this way consistently look the H out.  I'm not sure how  you guard them.  I suppose I would try to play at a slower tempo and pound the paint but NBA teams don't do that. 

[wadesworld]

The most Sixers picture ever.

[forgetful]

If Poole plays anywhere near this way consistently look the H out.  I'm not sure how  you guard them.  I suppose I would try to play at a slower tempo and pound the paint but NBA teams don't do that.

Most exciting team to watch play, period. So unselfish, always deferring to the hot hand and making each other better.

Also, Curry +29. The roster with Wiggins, Green, Curry, Klay, Poole is just scary. If you can't exploit them inside, they will just torch you.

[Jockey]

If Poole plays anywhere near this way consistently look the H out.  I'm not sure how  you guard them.  I suppose I would try to play at a slower tempo and pound the paint but NBA teams don't do that.

Poole is the perfect exhibit for what NBA teams look for in the draft. Averaged 9 points and 1 assist in college - but showed he had NBA type skills.

[MuggsyB]

Most exciting team to watch play, period. So unselfish, always deferring to the hot hand and making each other better.

Also, Curry +29. The roster with Wiggins, Green, Curry, Klay, Poole is just scary. If you can't exploit them inside, they will just torch you.

Exactly.  If teams can't or won't exploit them inside you're basically fked.  What's really scary is Klay is starting to appear more comfortable. 

[forgetful]

Poole is the perfect exhibit for what NBA teams look for in the draft. Averaged 9 points and 1 assist in college - but showed he had NBA type skills.

It also helps if you can have him learn from probably the greatest shooter ever, and Klay.

You can see a little bit of Curry in his play style. There is an advantage to getting to learn from the greatest.

[MuggsyB]

It also helps if you can have him learn from probably the greatest shooter ever, and Klay.

You can see a little bit of Curry in his play style. There is an advantage to getting to learn from the greatest.

I've always been an advocate of zoomability with handles.  And when you add the mesh mincing from distance?  Poole is extremely dangerous and no joke.

[JWags85]

It also helps if you can have him learn from probably the greatest shooter ever, and Klay.

You can see a little bit of Curry in his play style. There is an advantage to getting to learn from the greatest.

I think what makes them terrifying is that Klay, Steph, and Poole all play a bit different.  Steph has unlimited range and absurd handles.  Klay is the spot up, one dribble sniper.  And Poole is insanely quick, great at the rim, and scores from all different levels.  And beyond that, Wiggins occasionally shows why he was the consensus #1 pick.  Its just a comedy of riches.

[JWags85]

Lowry got into a disagreement with Hunter, chest to chest jawing.  Butler didn't come over and punch Hunter in the face immediately.  What a fake tough guy.