Bucks at Nets

Bucks end the quarter on a 17-5 run and now lead by 2 going to the 4th.

Griffin went to a zone defense which slowed down the Nets offense and worked at least temporarily.

Bucks lead up to 9. Giannis seems to just enjoy abusing Ben Simmons when he tries to guard him.

Giannis sits and the Nets go on an 12-0 run and lead by 3.

Shocking that another guard goes nuclear against them. Cam Thomas has 42 points and counting.

Giannis takes over in the 4th. Ben Simmons can't guard him.

Bucks win!!

That's all that matters right?

I don’t think this team has come close to playing their best basketball yet are 4-2.  Just got to keep working together.

@Tschmack posted:

I don’t think this team has come close to playing their best basketball yet are 4-2.  Just got to keep working together.

Middleton getting more minutes has helped tremendously. His basketball IQ is very high (and very underrated). He's going to make a good coach someday if he wants to do that. He just seems to stabilize everything when he's out there.

Portis is off to a great start but to me this season will be defined by what Khris Middleton is able to do.

He’s such an efficient and effective scorer and is critical toward the end of games.  I know Dame will be a primary option but Middleton has big game experience and you can never have enough clutch players.

@Tschmack posted:

Portis is off to a great start but to me this season will be defined by what Khris Middleton is able to do.

He’s such an efficient and effective scorer and is critical toward the end of games.  I know Dame will be a primary option but Middleton has big game experience and you can never have enough clutch players.

How they incorporate Portis as they approach the playoffs is going to be interesting. They really needed his half-court offense during the playoffs because of Holiday's severe offensive limitations in the playoffs (the Celtics lost last night partly because Holiday had one of his patented 4 for 16 from the floor and 0 for 4 from three games).

With Lillard here now and if Middleton is healthy, the need for Portis' offense is less pronounced. But without Holiday, they really need another defender in the half court at the end of games when opposing teams go small and force Lopez to the bench. Maybe Beauchamp can become that guy, but last night the Nets just hunted Portis down the stretch. You could package Portis and Connaughton's contacts and get something decent back.  

Trade the people's champ?!? No effing way!

I think Beauchamp has a lot of potential as a wing defender but he’s not a finished product.  I also think that Crowder has limitations in terms of his defense.  

Portis certainly has his strengths and is instant offense off the bench but against teams like Philly and Boston I’m not sure he’s very playable because he’s a below average defender and he doesn’t match up well when teams go smaller.  

I agree that one thought could be to move Portis for defensive help and that might be needed anyway.