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Finally

Something to think about is no Giannis on the floor at the end and guys can spread the ball and shoot and make free throws

Obviously he’s a dominant player but to close out games maybe it’s best he’s not in there

@Tschmack posted:

It’s a best of 3 series.

I’m not expecting them to win or advance, but just be competitive and not mail it in like we’ve seen before.  No one would fault them given Giannis injury and Bud’s continual bullshit.

4

I am so happy seeing my hometown fans celebrating like that. It’s been a long time coming.

A parade down Wisconsin Avenue would be something I’d never forget. Right now, I’m just vibrating with happiness.

Brewers have won 11 in a row. Bucks going to the Finals. Life is good.

@Music City posted:

I have been dreaming of this day my whole life. As a kid in the driveway dreaming of being Sidney Moncrief shooting jumpers.

Put 50 asterisks on- I give a fuck.

I completely understand this. All those games I watched at Mecca, all those years of having my little heart broken when we kept running into Dr. J. Then it was Larry Bird. Then getting so close with Ray Allen, Big Dog and Cassell.

When we had the best record the last two years, and didn’t get to the Finals, it just felt like the team with Marques and Sidney, then Terry Cummings and Jack Sikma all over again.

I’m just going to enjoy this. Winning the Championship would be amazing. But even getting there is a form of validation for this team. It quiets my own doubts. It gives me a feeling that “maybe we can really do this.” And that’s something new.

This team really rose to the challenge without Giannis. I’m hoping that gives them some real confidence against the Suns.

There is zero doubt they KNOW they can win without Giannis. They have the confidence now.

On Tuesday, a new challenge. They still have to defend like they did throughout these playoffs. Defend the 3. Don't be afraid to bring Lopez out & defend Booker. Switch it up & put Jrue on him & switch to CP.

Budd needs to coach his ass off & he did an excellent job in games 5 & 6 vs. the Hawks. Let's give the embattled coach some credit.

This Bucks defense has been doing great things. Going to be a fun series (I hope) & let's get Giannis back!

I basically grew up as a kid during the 80s and my pops got me interested in the Bucks.  Was a huge fan of those teams and Sid was my favorite player until Ray Allen came around.  Saw many games at MECCA but unfortunately they couldn’t get over the hump of facing the Sixers or Celtics most years in order to advance.

The lean years (90s) were awful but that 2001 team was really fun to watch but they fell short as well.

The franchise turned with Giannis and here we are back in the Finals after almost a 50 year drought.  

Without a healthy Giannis the Suns have more talent and will be expected to win, but the last couple of games have given me hope.  It’s hard to imagine, but this might actually be a better playoff team without Giannis.  They certainly seem more effective in the half court game which is 90% of these playoff games versus regular season where you can run and gun and get out much more often in the transition game.  

Phoenix presents some different challenges in that Chris Paul might be the best pure distributor and set up artist in this era.  On top of that, he has a really good midrange game.  The good news for us is I think Holiday is one of the few guys in the league that will make him work and Holiday’s size and strength should give Paul some problems on the other end as well.  Tucker can D up on Booker and I like Lopez on Ayton.  The key in this series is the bench.  With Portis having to start they got decent production from Pat C but Forbes needs to do more and we need to see more of Jeff Teague playing like he did in game 6.

If Milwaukee plays like they did in games 5-6 they absolutely have a chance and will be interesting to see how it plays out.  You can’t say the Bucks haven’t faced adversity and came up big when their backs were against the wall and I think that matters.  Phoenix really hasn’t been challenged mentally or physically given their good fortune playing teams that were a missing key players.  Now they get a Bucks team maybe without Giannis. Can’t say there’s ever been a situation quite like what Phoenix has but at this point who gives a shit.  Go out and compete and play hard and if the Bucks do that let’s see where it ends up.

Last edited by Tschmack

Great job by everyone on the Bucks last night.  PJ Tucker had a rough night, but when we needed him the most, he delivered.  The much maligned Jeff Teague looked fresh and energized and made up for the rough shooting nights of Portis and Tucker.  Even Forbes made some minor contributions in his shorts stints out there.

As great as Giannis is, he has the FT and outside shooting yips so bad that maybe the Bucks were better off the last 2 games with him watching instead of throwing up bricks/air balls and making questionable decisions.

We need Giannis to play smart and with poise this next series.  He can do it, maybe him watching his teammates win 2 games without him will allow him to trust them more than he sometimes does.

If you are looking at the numbers, something that should be highlighted is this team cannot and should not live and die by the 3.  Yes, they were really good in the regular season, but in the playoffs defenses tighten up and the competition gets a lot better.  Go up and down the Bucks roster and you will find that Forbes is about 38% and Pat C is 36% but everyone else is hovering around 30% or less.  For as good as Middleton has been he’s shooting 28% from 3 in the postseason. Holiday isn’t much better including 4-12 in game 6.  While PJ had the big 3 late in the 4Q he was 0-6 otherwise.

You take out Teague and Pat C in game 6 and the Bucks were not very good from long range in game 6.

On the other hand, they got to the line 21 times and made 19 FTs.  They made numerous layups and dunks and Middleton got the midrange game going.  Holiday is virtually unstoppable when he’s near the hoop.   Interestingly enough, no way they shoot 19-21 from the line if 34 is in there so while they miss his contributions he’s an automatic  -5 points each game just from the line.

The turnovers and Cam Reddish going 6-7 from 3 made this game closer than it should have been and once again it’s a cautionary tale coming up against Phoenix.  Don’t fall in love with the 3.  The Bucks are at their best when there is good ball movement and they get easy looks or conversions (layups, dunks, bunnies).  Yes, an occasional 3 is fine if not contested, but use your size and athleticism to wear down the Suns.  

The way this team plays defense they should be in every game if they don’t get stupid and play iso ball.  Bully ball is the way to go and while Phoenix is better defensively than ATL the Bucks can win this series if they value possessions and play team ball.

Last edited by Tschmack
@fightphoe93 posted:

Great job by everyone on the Bucks last night.  PJ Tucker had a rough night, but when we needed him the most, he delivered.  The much maligned Jeff Teague looked fresh and energized and made up for the rough shooting nights of Portis and Tucker.  Even Forbes made some minor contributions in his shorts stints out there.

As great as Giannis is, he has the FT and outside shooting yips so bad that maybe the Bucks were better off the last 2 games with him watching instead of throwing up bricks/air balls and making questionable decisions.

We need Giannis to play smart and with poise this next series.  He can do it, maybe him watching his teammates win 2 games without him will allow him to trust them more than he sometimes does.

Agree 100%.  Giannis can bog things down in the half court.  Hopefully they can keep this chemistry going and integrate him back in.  I can't believe how much Holiday stepped it up.  He's a decent shooter but we really need him to continue to be aggressive to the paint/rim.  It was the difference.  Also, his D was out of this world in Game 6.  He can defend 1 thru 5.  Amazing

I’ve said this before (and I’m not advocating trading Giannis) but his presence on offense makes it tricky to play PG because of how they use him.  Quit trying to make 34 a point forward.   He’s a 5.  

If these last two games have shown anything it’s that if I were Bud I’d start Portis at the 4 and have Giannis start at the 5.  Lopez comes in off the bench for Giannis. That gives them a big at all times down low.  It also means Holiday can play PG which he is really good at and be the focus of the offense.

Lopez is so much better on the block instead of playing on the perimeter.

Last edited by Tschmack

I really like how Budenholzer used Lopez when Giannis went out. Lopez finally got to play as a big Center, and he played well, there. I was cringing whenever they gave the ball to Tucker on a 3 point attempt. The only one he made was late, in the 4th Quarter, to dash the Hawks hopes of making a come back. Otherwise he threw up bricks. I also really liked Teague's play when he came into the game. He was better at hitting 3s than either Forbes or Tucker was and when he drove the lane, he drew a lot of contact to get him to the FT line. Middleton turned it on, again, late in the game, when we needed him to. He just has to protect he ball better when he is dribbling down court and when he is looking to pass it to a more open player. Onto Phoenix and lets come home with the trophy! GO BUCKS, GO!!!

I wouldn’t trade Giannis for 3 Aaron Rodgers

They don’t need some passive aggressive let’s get philosophical flake diva to wreck their title run.  If they wanted that guy, I’d call up Brooklyn and inquire about Kyrie Irving.

This team has a good vibe going and there’s Fedya to come around and fuck things up.  Don’t you have some obscure 1938 movie to review?

Last edited by Tschmack

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