Lopez, Connaughton, and Forbes vs. the Knicks

Thanasis, Lopez, Merrill, Toupane, and Nwora to start.

Not surprisingly, Bucks already down 14-5.

Holy crap, could you imagine paying full boat for tickets, showing up, and watching the G League team?

Down 7 after 1.

Thanasis gets hammered on a dunk attempt and doesn't get a call.

Bucks hanging in there. Only down 3 at the half. Nwora with 16. Thanasis with 11.

Bucks now up 3 in the third. Not sure how they'll have enough gas to keep this up.

Knicks go on a run when the Bucks rest Thanasis for Diakite. Diakite has struggled.

Down 4 going to the 4th. You can tell these guys are starting to fade a bit. Let's see if they can make another run.

Thanasis has played 28 minutes and the Bucks are +5 in those minutes.

He's sat for only 8 minutes and the Bucks are -9 in those.

Down 10. It's over.

You can’t expect what was trotted out as an NBA team night to win very often. Especially against a decent team.

Back within 5, but not a lot of offensive firepower to complete this comeback

@tsr86free posted:

You can’t expect what was trotted out as an NBA team night to win very often. Especially against a decent team.

The fact this was even close is impressive. Thanasis, Nwora, and Connaughton have kept this close. Nwora may have earned some real minutes.

Thanasis is putting on a show.

Thanasis taking over and it's now a tie game.

I never thought I'd type those words in my life.

I’m not able to see the game, but this should be headline news if this team actually wins tonight.

Well, that’s that. But how in the hell was NY   only laying 2 in this one? Should have been the easiest money ever.

Bryn Forbes sucks in anything other than a blowout win. Thanasis, Nwora, Diakite, etc. fight to keep this close. Forbes goes 3 for 11 and 1 for 6 from 3.

I think we should play Nwora and others over Forbes. There is literally no one that can play worse defense than Forbes

@tsr86free posted:

Well, that’s that. But how in the hell was NY   only laying 2 in this one? Should have been the easiest money ever.

The Bucks didn't announce Giannis out until late. He was doubtful.

Are we in for more than one year with Forbes. Hope not.

Well, they tried...

@MichiganPacker2 posted:

The Bucks didn't announce Giannis out until late. He was doubtful.

This was the information from the Bucks as of this afternoon. Giannis, Jrue, and DDV were all doubtful, not out.

@tsr86free posted:

Are we in for more than one year with Forbes. Hope not.

Forbes is 56 for 100 from the 3 point line in the games the Bucks have won by 9 points or more.

He's 37 for 109 in games the Bucks win by 8 or less or that the Buck lose.

56% vs. 33.9%.

If the shot doesn't matter, Forbes is the best guy in the NBA to be taking it. If it's a close game he turns into Eric Bledsoe except that many of us on the forum can play defense as well as Forbes.

Wait, let me get this straight.

Thanasis scored 23 points, had 10 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals, was 8 of 15 from the floor, including 4 of 6 from 3?

Where the hell did that come from? Is it worth getting a little excited that he actually can play a bit, or did the planets just align?

I see the words “Thanasis putting on a show”, and I’m wondering if I took an extra dose of my pain meds, or something.

Forbes does have another year on his contract.  It’s relatively affordable at about 2MM.

Bucks basically marched out a summer league roster.   Sounds like Portis is in the protocol so don’t expect to see him for another week or so.  Can’t speak to the other guys, but with a long west coast road trip coming up I’m guessing Bud wanted to rest some guys.  If this were the playoffs those guys (other than Portis) are probably all playing.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take some more losses this upcoming week; some tougher games and if guys aren’t 100% it’s possible Bud rests them some more.  Not sure it’s really going to make much of a difference.  Barring a major shift the Sixers, Bucks, and Nets all appear to be locked in as the top 3 seeds.  Miami is in a free fall so who knows after that but clearly it’s the top 3 seeds and everyone else.

@Tschmack posted:

Forbes does have another year on his contract.  It’s relatively affordable at about 2MM.

Bucks basically marched out a summer league roster.   Sounds like Portis is in the protocol so don’t expect to see him for another week or so.  Can’t speak to the other guys, but with a long west coast road trip coming up I’m guessing Bud wanted to rest some guys.  If this were the playoffs those guys (other than Portis) are probably all playing.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take some more losses this upcoming week; some tougher games and if guys aren’t 100% it’s possible Bud rests them some more.  Not sure it’s really going to make much of a difference.  Barring a major shift the Sixers, Bucks, and Nets all appear to be locked in as the top 3 seeds.  Miami is in a free fall so who knows after that but clearly it’s the top 3 seeds and everyone else.

There is a debate about how much value the 1 seed will have in the East vs. the West. The West is 6 deep with teams that could probably come out of there (Jazz, Suns, Clippers, Lakers, Nuggets, Blazers).  Some of those first-round series are going to be very tough as even the Mavs lurking at #8 could give teams some trouble. Especially after the first round, it really won't matter as much if you are the 1 seed or the 3 seed (or even lower).

In the East, as you say, it's a clear top 3. The one seed would play the Hornets or Knicks in the second round while the 2 and 3 seeds would have to play each other. That's a huge advantage. In other words, the 2 or 3 seed would have to beat the other 2 clear top teams to make it to the Finals. It might change a lot if the Heat or Celtics move up as those teams are a lot more of a threat than Knicks/Hornets/Hawks.

It's still much more important to be as healthy as possible and be the 3 seed than it would to get worn down and get the 1, but at some point it will become a consideration.

@lambeausouth posted:

Wait, let me get this straight.

Thanasis scored 23 points, had 10 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals, was 8 of 15 from the floor, including 4 of 6 from 3?

Where the hell did that come from? Is it worth getting a little excited that he actually can play a bit, or did the planets just align?

I see the words “Thanasis putting on a show”, and I’m wondering if I took an extra dose of my pain meds, or something.

This is one of the most fascinating things this year that has developed. A year ago, he was a victory cigar getting junk time minutes. But it is clear that Giannis’ big brother has been studying and learning. He’s no longer a guy the Bucks signed to a contract to make Giannis happy- he’s a legitimate NBA player.

He’s an excellent athlete. There no question about that. He attitude and energy is contagious. He’s playing with passion, and he’s developing into a 7th/8th spot player. Adding a 3 point shot makes him playable.

Add Austin Rivers to this bunch, and to a lesser extent, Brandon Knight, as rumored, and there is now some real depth here. Every team has its warts, will be very interesting!

@Music City posted:

This is one of the most fascinating things this year that has developed. A year ago, he was a victory cigar getting junk time minutes. But it is clear that Giannis’ big brother has been studying and learning. He’s no longer a guy the Bucks signed to a contract to make Giannis happy- he’s a legitimate NBA player.

He’s an excellent athlete. There no question about that. He attitude and energy is contagious. He’s playing with passion, and he’s developing into a 7th/8th spot player. Adding a 3 point shot makes him playable.

He played Torrey Craig out of Milwaukee.

Thanasis has played in the Euro League, and not many guys have better explosiveness in terms of jumping ability and quickness.

The best thing about him though is that when he comes in you can almost read the other team's minds and they are thinking "I've got to put up with this guy playing at 110 miles an hour for the next few minutes." He's a very good defensive player and I can't think of a single Bucks player who has ever been more effort into every single second he plays (and, for that matter, every single minute he's on the bench).

I don't think the 3 point shot is sustainable, but if I wanted to send the 5 best defensive players out on the court to guard one possession (especially when you have to defend the 3), he's either on it or he's the next guy you chose (Giannis, Holiday, Middleton, Tucker, Connaughton/Thanasis).

I don’t trust him at the end of games. He’s a foul machine- legit or not- and they can’t afford that.

There’s no question that Thanasis has improved.  He’s a bit of a weird player not unlike Tucker.  A bit undersized and doesn’t really have a true position, but plays with energy and grit and is a spark plug defensively.  As MP2 stated, you hate playing against guys like that because they will make you work.  

If he can develop his shot a bit more he will see more playing time.  I would anticipate he will evolve and eventually take over as one of the main guys off the bench once Tucker moves on after this year.   His contract runs through next season and is a relative bargain at about 1.5MM.   If he can give them 10/5 off the bench that’s well worth it.

I’m hopeful the Bucks can add another guard and if it’s Rivers that’s a good get for the Bucks.   He’s not necessarily a defensive stopper, but he’s much better than Forbes and can hit the outside shot.  He’s also a solid ball handler that would work in well with the Bucks rotation.

@Music City posted:

I don’t trust him at the end of games. He’s a foul machine- legit or not- and they can’t afford that.

As you alluded to, I think some of his foul trouble is based on reputation. He hardly ever gets the benefit of a call. On one of his dunk attempts on Saturday, the defender didn't even hit the ball, instead slapping his arm around his elbow in view of everyone and he got no call. That's the play that Bud picked up a technical complaining about.

This is one of the most blatant non-calls I've seen in a while.