Bucks bring back JOB III on a camp deal. I guess he’s added a solid 3 point stroke to his offensive game. He’ll need to prove he can play on the D end though…
Lopez and Portis reflecting the team’s focus on ‘21-‘22. Nice to hear. They were all talking about it during the celebration on the floor after the final buzzer… “Let’s do it again!” was the exchange between Budenholzer and Holiday- same between Giannis and Budenholzer… they appear to recognize that winning one ring doesn’t make a legacy. Putting multiple banners up in Fiserv is a very different thing.
So much analysis of championship winning teams (especially the NBA) seems to underline that talent doesn’t always trump teamwork and chemistry and obviously injuries can be a great equalizer.
The Bucks just seem to have it all - from a superstar player to very good surrounding players to a decent bench/role players but what’s critical is everyone knows their job and what they need to do and they execute without a whole lot of fanfare and drama. This is the template for how San Antonio built a dynasty and won multiple titles. It’s all there right in front of Milwaukee.
I have to remind myself at times that this isn’t a fluke or a dream but if the players are sincere it sounds to me that they are on a mission to stack their recent successes and I can’t wait to see how this story turns out. It’s incredible to me how people quickly overlook the Bucks despite being (arguably) the best team in basketball the last 3 years. In the end, let the Lakers and Nets and Clippers and Heat soak up all the attention. Just go out there and make your own statement on the court.
One way we'll know what level or respect the Bucks command throughout the Eastern conference will be the All-Star Reserve selections. Assuming everyone is healthy and assuming Kyrie ends up getting vaccinated, it's very possible that the Nets will have three guys voted in as starters so it will be Giannis, Durant, Irving, Harden, and probably Embiid.
When they go to select the reserves will the Bucks get another selection? The team has won a title and lost in the Conference Finals to the eventual champion in the last two full years. Holiday was probably the second most important player on the Olympic team in August and the playoff run firmly established he is the best perimeter, on-ball defensive player in the NBA. Middleton just finished the playoffs as one of only 19 players in NBA history to have 500 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists in a single playoffs. He scored 40 in a Finals game, scored over 30 in 4 other playoff games, and hit 29 twice. Middleton should be a shoo-in to be an all-star this year.
With all that, I think it's likely that Giannis will be the only Bucks all-star this year.
