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Yesterday the Bucks introduced Mike Budenholzer as the new coach. He brings with him experience, a track record of success as a tactician and developer of talent, and a pedigree of Championships from the Spurs organization. While it is unknown how this will end in Milwaukee (championships or just a rise to contending status in a possibly Lebron-less Eastern Conference), there is little argument against the decision. The only pause one could have is playoff success- but this will be the first coaching job that Mike Budenholzer will have had with that one indispensable thing that playoff success tends to require- a generational superstar. And Giannis is all of that. 

So a check mark goes in the “get a coach that knows what the f he’s doing” block. 

Jon Horst is guiding the Bucks through the most important off season in the franchises history. He was a surprise last season when he was selected the Bucks GM to replace John Hammond. But now he’s in the perfect storm- and what happens from here determines the path this team will ultimately tread going forward. Head coach- check.

Now on to the really important stuff- what to do with a young roster that  flashes both eye opening potential and hair pulling frustration. Was it the stink of Kidd? Did Kidd’s complete ineptitude as a tactician merely hold back the development of players like Jabari Parker, John Henson, Thon Maker, and others, or does this roster need a complete overhaul? In particular, Parker and Maker, who at 23 and 21 and still raw a fresh picked peppers and green as the day is long are exhibit a and b of the eye opening and hair pulling that represented the 2017-18 season. The play of both in the playoffs turned a disaster of a series against the probable EC Champion Celtics into a 7 game slugfest. And with Budenholzer’s penchant for developing average into good and winning with it (see the roster of the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks, who won 60 games with a roster that had 6 players average double figures but only one more than 12 ppg- Paul Millsap with 16.7), there’s at least the thought that if this roster has any talent “Bud” was find it. 

But with a new arena opening and albatross contracts for Henson, Dellavadova, and Snell has n the books for 2 more years, the time is now to get it right. Giannis is 24- entering the prime of his career. The east is rising- the Celtics and Sixers have their own baselines for the next decade of contention. And if Lebron stays in the East, that problem isn’t going away. 

Jon Horst has the best and worst job in the NBA. And if he becomes “the guy who made all the right moves” and gets hardware on the shelf, he’ll cement his legacy and the Bucks will no longer be “that team that once had Kareem Abdul Jabbar for a few years and won a championship.” 

But if he gets it wrong- they’ll be “the same old Bucks” and the taxpayers will have a billion dollar tax subsidized entertainment complex in a downtown that won’t be too entertaining...

Last edited by Music City
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Forgot to mention Brogdon- he is a pretty key piece as well. He has an impact act, no doubt. There is question about his long term ability as a starting g PG athletically, but he could overcome that with a better coaching philosophy- or support. I think if he develops a good post up game, he’ll be a very difficult matchup for lots of PGs. 

Thon Maker really showed something in the series vs. Boston. He's a keeper. So is Middleton.

Dellavedova is so easily replaceable at probably half the contract. Brogdon - Meh

Get another SuperStar (Kawhi Leonard or Klay Thompson) maybe both.

Then go tear up the EC .

Good piece on Budenholzer here: 

https://behindthebuckpass.com/...ch-mike-budenholzer/

The Parker situation deserves special mention.  Think Parker would be wise to stay- but I have a good feeling he’s not going to. He’ll put together a deal and ask for a sign and trade deal. But I think Bud could make him pretty good if he listened...

Brogdon is probably the most important person on that team not named Giannis.  Reason being he can play the 1 or 2 spots, plays really good D, can hit the clutch shots, and is easily their best leader on the team.  Do not underestimate that guy. 

Middleton had a great playoff series but let’s remember how he performed during the regular season.  I’m not advocating dealing him but he’s behind Brogdon in terms of importance.  And someone they should keep. 

I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss Delladova either.  He’s a poor mans Marcus Smart and he plays with grit and toughness and you need a guy like that. 

The real disappointments to me were Snell, Bledsoe, and Henson.  If they could dump any of them I would do it in a heartbeat. 

I’ve said all along Maker is the wild card.  I wouldn’t deal him either but he needs to step it up. 

Tschmack posted:

Middleton had a great playoff series but let’s remember how he performed during the regular season.  I’m not advocating dealing him but he’s behind Brogdon in terms of importance.  And someone they should keep. 

I agree with this- he was horribly overmatched against Derozen- he put 50 on him earlier this year. It’s a matchup thing- some he does well against, others not so much. 

Games 3 and 4 against the Celtics had Maker and Parker (including defense!) step up their play compared to the regular season.  Middleton stepped up the entire series.

Not so for Bledsoe.

MC, recall you had a lot of complaints with respect to Middleton and his decision-making.

I think Bledsoe is very expendable.  Would like to see Maker and Parker stay.  Middleton?  I don't know.  He was total clutch in the playoffs, but the regular season?

phaedrus posted:

 

MC, recall you had a lot of complaints with respect to Middleton and his decision-making.

Yes- he’s not a ball handler, nor is he a “playmaker”. In both respects, if it’s not a lob to Henson, it’s probably a turnover. 

Spot up, post up, step back. That’s his game. And don’t make him defend the super athletic wings the whole game- you’re asking for trouble. 

That Boston series was the best of Khash. Watch him play Toronto- you get the other side. And with this whole team- how do you really know what you have without the coaching? Bledsoe hasn’t had it ever. Parker- nope. Maker- no. We just don’t know what we have- and we may take another season  finding out. 

Last edited by Music City

Get Kawhi Leonard & go get Klay Thompson & take over the EAST.

Warriors won't let Klay go easily. Bucks have to want it badly & probably pay Luxury Tax but it will be worth it to team up both these players with the Freak.

Music City posted:

Good piece on Budenholzer here: 

https://behindthebuckpass.com/...ch-mike-budenholzer/

The Parker situation deserves special mention.  Think Parker would be wise to stay- but I have a good feeling he’s not going to. He’ll put together a deal and ask for a sign and trade deal. But I think Bud could make him pretty good if he listened...

Parker will probably be much happier average 25 points for a 30 win team than averaging 15 and being the quick offense off the bench type of player on a good team. 

ESPN breaks down the offseason heading into next week’s free agency:

Milwaukee Bucks

Offseason focus

Exceptions

  • Non-tax midlevel: $8.6M

  • Bi-annual: $3.4M

  • Trade: $3.4M and $1.9M

Cap-space breakdown

  • Unless the Bucks shake up their roster, expect the team to enter July 1 over the cap with a projected $103 million and 13 players under contract.

  • Even if Jabari Parker is not brought back, Milwaukee will have only the $8.6 million midlevel exception and $3.4 million bi-annual exception to use to sign players.

  • The $2.2 million Brandon Jennings contract will be guaranteed if he is not waived by July 1.

  • The $10.5 million owed to Mirza Teletovic that was eventually stretched with a $3.5 million cap over the next three seasons will be off the books starting Nov. 7.

 

Rumors heading into the draft were that both Delladova and Bledsoe were on the trading block.   Given they have added another guard in DD I have to believe those rumors won’t go away anytime soon. 

Bledsoe will attract interest because he can score and his 15MM contract comes off the books after this year.  Delladova will attract less interest given his salary but if you could package the two or package a Bledsoe and either Henson or Snell that would work.  As it stands today they are overcrowded in the backcourt. 

Tschmack posted:

Rumors heading into the draft were that both Delladova and Bledsoe were on the trading block.   Given they have added another guard in DD I have to believe those rumors won’t go away anytime soon. 

Bledsoe will attract interest because he can score and his 15MM contract comes off the books after this year.  Delladova will attract less interest given his salary but if you could package the two or package a Bledsoe and either Henson or Snell that would work.  As it stands today they are overcrowded in the backcourt. 

I guess you wait and see if either Cleveland or San Antonio go into full rebuild mode if Lebron and Leonard end up with the Lakers? Could you package Bledsoe with some combination of Snell, Dellavedova, Henson, etc. to get Kevin Love (whose rebounding and 3 point shooting would solve two problems)?

What happens with Jabari Parker? Is that a sign and trade that could net anything or is some team that has money to spend and not much hope for next season (anyone out West that isn't the Warriors, Rockets, Jazz, Pelicans, or Lakers) give him a max offer sheet to let him score 28 points a game and give up 30?

 

There are rumblings that Khris Middleton may turn down an extension and not pick up his 13MM player option for 2019 which means he would become a free agent after this upcoming season.   If that’s the case, I would look to consider moving him in a trade.   There’s also the thought that Parker could take his qualifying offer for 2018 but by doing so would trigger the luxury tax. 

Not a good spot to be in right now if you are the Bucks.  They can either sit tight for 2018 and hope it all comes together with what they have (not holding my breath) or look to make a deal or deals. 

Middleton is obviously thinking the momentum from this season will net him a max deal. It’s the right call for him. But the  Bucks need to really think about long term with either of these guys to be tied permanently to Giannis. They both want All Star $$$ and don’t have the history. 

 

If it fuels Middleton to improve his game like he did in the playoffs that could be a good thing for 2018.   He was a difference maker against Boston.

As for Bledsoe, he could be extended at a “reasonable” amount in the 15MM per year ballpark, but I’m not sure they should.  I don’t think he’s a good match for this team and Brogdon and DD give them a lot more size and more consistent outside shooting.   Bledsoe’s inconsistency probably cost them the series and who knows how far they could have advanced beyond Boston? 

Probably ? If I were Bledsoe, I wouldn't go out in public until October ...he was shameful against Boston. 

I guess the good news is that Cleveland will probably be falling back, but Philly and Boston are miles ahead of the Bucks. And not much promise of doing anything for a while due to limited cap room. Giannis, Middleton and a bunch of guys. Maybe Jabari surprises - signs and becomes a more complete player. 

Ok... Ilyasova deal, not a big deal. Affordable. Good rebounder. Started to hit the 3 finally. Bud will know how to use him. 

But they have 45 point guards and 12 power forwards- and Jabari up in the air. 

They’re not done... they can’t be. 

Music City posted:

Ok... Ilyasova deal, not a big deal. Affordable. Good rebounder. Started to hit the 3 finally. Bud will know how to use him. 

But they have 45 point guards and 12 power forwards- and Jabari up in the air. 

They’re not done... they can’t be. 

If you can get something for Parker in a sign and trade that would be ideal. Ship him to the Kings for a future pick.

I'd like to see them move Bledsoe. The fact they didn't waive Jennings suggest there are at least trying to do that.

28 All-Star appearances among their top 6. Shaun Livingston for his 15 minutes. 

Curry (5)

Thompson (4)

Durant (9)

Green (3)

Cousins (6)

Iguodala (1)

They replaced Javale McGee with a 6-time all-star. Who sits in crunch time if Boogie is even 75% of what he was last year?  

I think you have to let Draymond Green shoot if you are an opposing defense. Cousins was 25/13/5 last year. He shot 36% from 3 the last 2 years. 

You have the Warriors. Then the Rockets, Lakers, Celtics, and Sixers. 

Everyone else is the Washington Generals.

Tschmack posted:

The West also has a good Utah team and a decent up and coming Denver squad.   Minnesota and Portland are playoff caliber teams. 

Not sure I rank the Lakers ahead of any of them. 

Good points. I don't think the Lakers have much of a chance either as currently constructed, but you have to figure they'll get another player at worst by the trade deadline in 2019.

 

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