Though I do think Parker will make the Bucks a pretty explosive team, there’s no chance they can get to the ECF IMO, much less the NBA Finals.
There are too many holes in this lineup right now. Plus I don’t think Prunty is a long term guy...
Bucks arrive with purpose in Chicago for a matinee game against the Bulls. 61-39 at the half, with the Bench coming alive with 26 points. Brown, Jett, and Delly a combined 6-7 from three. Giannis an off first half (8 points, 4-11 shooting) but the team is shooting 10-16 from long range to compensate. Defense is swarming, as the Bulls have as many turnovers (10) as assists (11).
So what is Jason Kidd's plus/minus score? Is canning him worth an extra 5 points a game? Defensively it sure seems like it.
Well, they’re executing on offense and playing actual defense- albeit against the Suns, Nets, and Bulls- but these are games they were losing. Philly tomorrow on a back to back that will be a much better test of whether they’re closer to righting the ship. And they’re doing this without Brogdon.
I think the substitution pattern is one aspect that’s allowing guys to get comfortable and this play more consistently. Giannis is the first guy out. Then they bring in Maker and reserve Gs, Middleton stays in until late in the first and then Giannis replaces him. Middleton sits for a good portion of the second quarter, then Giannis gets some 2nd quarter rest. They’re starting to use more of the G depth, ensuring that Bledsoe gets plenty of rest as well.
Its almost as if the coach has a plan. Like you know... a fuc*ing plan!
So today- the Bench scores 26 first half points to build a lead, and the starters finish with strong play down the stretch because they’re rested. Like a professional basketball team.
They have beaten 3 bad teams and Philly without Embiid, and still I feel like they’re just proving all those who realized Kidd was lost right. Giannis 32-18-6 in 36 minutes.
After starting slow offensively they pulled even at 30, then controlled the tempo and the rest of the game from there. 5 other Bucks in double figures.
Bledsoe left the game after 3 minutes with a left ankle- but with Brogdon back and Dellavadova playing actually quite well, they really outplayed the Philly backcourt.
Still haven’t allowed 100 points since Kidd got fired.
Interesting analysis on Jason Kidd's defense. Basically, the scheme resulted in players who should be great defenders getting blown by on drives because they were constantly scrambling to close out.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/fe...-experiment-is-over/
This is the key part:
According to data from Second Spectrum, the Bucks defense has been a damned layup factory. Through Sunday, Antetokounmpo had been blown by on 43 percent of drives he defends, ranking 387th out of 390 qualified players. Maker had allowed drivers past him 37 percent of the time (376th); Middleton 36 percent (371st); Snell 28 percent (308th). Whenever Jabari Parker returns, he isn’t likely to help things. In 51 games in 2016-17, Parker ranked 417 out of 423 qualified players in defensive blow-by rate, coming in just ahead of Maker (423) and just behind Middleton (416), then-Buck Michael Beasley (414) and Antetokounmpo (399). Parker has never been much of a defender, but Maker, Middleton and Snell are all excellent, and it’s jarring that a system can flatten their contributions to look not much different from Parker’s or Beasley’s.
Much different team without Embiid in the lineup but a win is a win.
It's almost like a cloud has been lifted from the team and they are playing with much more purpose and focus. Kidd was a cancer and they should have removed him sooner.
Making a push now as 3 and 4 seed are well within reach.
Better lineup rotations and player effort seems solid, but still plenty of layups and dunks given up last night. Most were in Q1 so maybe they did adjust somewhat. I have no doubt the coaching is already better....but still need defensive correction, better rebounding, and a ****ing center.
Oh....you mean like ZaZa? Or Bogut?
Yeah....one step at a time
Bogut. He'd probably get hurt getting off the plane and then say something stupid.
A healthy Bogut absolutely makes this a better team.
But as far as knowing the game, holding up in the middle, defending the rim, rebounding? The Warriors first championship he was a very important piece. Against the Cavs no, just because the style of play moved away from him, but prior to that he gave them very good minutes.
He’s better than anything they have- he’s just made of glass, and you cannot rely on him. And I’m not sure what the injuries have done to him.
Bucks are tied into about 20 trade scenarios right now- Tyreke Evans, Hassan Whiteside, an Atlanta deal with Dedmon and someone else, DeAndre Jordan...
Meanwhile Greg Monroe is getting a buyout in PHX, so he’s on the market (Bucks I guess cannot offer since they traded him), so rumors are strong he’s headed to Boston as they’re in a free fall right now.
I really doubt the Bucks do anything. The guys that could help them would cost too much to get...
First game they're playing like crap since the firing....
😕
No shooting tonight... and when they can’t hit shots their defense goes to sh*t.
Put everyone on IR & come out swinging in November.
Good lord. They're gonna have to put a G league team out there.
It's become a joke what bad luck this team has had with injuries over the last couple of years. Just as Parker is set to come back just about everyone else gets hurt.
Last year it was Parker getting hurt (again) just as Middleton was coming back.
JFC can this team catch a break already?!?!
Wow what a move to close it. That skinny Greek kid is growing up.
BTW Henson and Thon had 4 rebounds in 45 minutes combined. Got stoned on the boards. Get a ****ing center.
Out rebounded by NYK 57-36 ...offensive rebounds NYK 18 / Bucks 4 ....get a ****ing Center.
Jabari looked good in his return. Welcome back.
Well, Giannis is the new Knicks killer...
Parker looked ok, but he’s still feeling his way around. He front-rimmed a dunk, one that I think he thought he was going to pack in from the opposite side. That’s the new reality- no more re big hops...
They played awful all night and stole one.
I'm beginning to think the pro sports franchises of Wisconsin are just snake bitten where injuries are concerned.
Aaron Rodgers with the collarbone.
Jimmy Nelson goes down diving back into first.
Now Brogdon goes down the same night Parker comes back.
Clearly, more stretching is needed!
And can the Bucks please get a real center? Pretty please?
Music City posted:Well, Giannis is the new Knicks killer...
Parker looked ok, but he’s still feeling his way around. He front-rimmed a dunk, one that I think he thought he was going to pack in from the opposite side. That’s the new reality- no more re big hops...
They played awful all night and stole one.
I'm pleased with 12 points in 15 minutes after a year of not playing.
Getting out there, and trusting the knee in real game situations will take a while. He's going to be cautious, especially after two major injuries. I hope that he's healthy going forward.
This off season is going to go a long way in determining how high the Bucks can go. Magic seems to think Giannis will take the team to a Championship. But the defense needs to improve for that to happen. Seems to me I've heard this before...
I wonder who they bring in to replace Kidd?
Saw that a on Twitter- the Bucks top 4 players: Giannis, Parker, Middleton, and Brogdon... have never played together. Not a single minute. Add Bledsoe, too.
And with the news that Brogdon is out 6-8 weeks with a muscle tear in his quad, we won’t see it until April. 2018 is a lost season if for no other reason than that. They won’t go forward until they can learn to play as a solid unit. That takes court time together.
Pretty easy win over the Nets today
Delly and Giannis dinged but Bledsoe took over and Henson played maybe his best game as a Buck
Parker easing back in but man is he good offensively. He may not have the same explosiveness but he has enough to be a factor
The All Star break can’t come soon enough... this team is getting banged up. Didn’t seem like Giannis’ ankle was horrible, but now he is nursing 2 sore ankles. Bledsoe almost front rimmed a breakaway dunk- that shows you he’s not close to 100%. Now their depth takes a hit with Delly- his ankle didn’t look good. That’s going to be a while.
Bucks finally beating the bad teams. Parker really showing his power and athleticism. To me he looks better than he did before. And he’s still getting his feet wet. When he’s back up 100% he’s going to be a monster. And wow how much easier will things be for Giannis then...
I watched a good portion of the game today and honestly you would never know he had two ACL injuries. Long term I don't know about his health but he sure looks the part. With Parker back they can rotate with Giannis and they will always have a scorer on the floor.
Bledsoe played like a man on a mission today and when he's on he's a difference maker.
I just hope they don't get gutted by injuries because this team could be a lot of fun to watch come playoff time. Assuming Brogdon comes back OK there isn't another team in the East with this kind of firepower and if they shoot like they did today it will be tough to beat them.
The other thing I noticed is they are playing respectable defense. I have no idea what the **** Kidd was teaching these guys?
Bucks trade for Tyler Zeller.
Gave up Vaughn and a second rounder.
It's not a monster deal, but Zeller’s a fairly skilled guy. He can help them. Not going to change their playoff position though.
Tschmack:
Assuming Brogdon comes back OK there isn't another team in the East with this kind of firepower
The Bucks have some talent, but it is lacking in two major areas. One, someone who consistently hits a set 3. (Just a solid outside shooter.) Two, a big body at center. Look how that guy for the Knicks ate them up (Kanter?).
They need better at both places in order to be able to compete at even the 1-4 level in just the east.
jmo
Bucks take care of business... Porzingas goes out in the 2nd with an ankle, and the Bucks open up a 23 pointnlead at one point. Bledsoe playing well of late, really pushing tempo. Parker another solid night. New guy Zeller got a few minutes, and Plumlee with a solid contribution.
They have Miami next, then 2 more winnable against Orlando and Atlanta. Then it’ll get tougher.
Delly out about 4 weeks. Hope they get Brogdon back in March, as well.
Watching live it looked like Porzingas hyperextended his knee....sorry to hear its an ACL. Guy is fun to watch.
Bucks looked good considering all the injuries. Will be interesting to see what they look like when everyone is healthy. Jabari looks good and i kinda like the trade. Vaughn was providing nothing, so if Zeller can add something its a low risk move at a position of need. Not the answer to thier center issues mind you but at decent addition.
Porzingas was impressive in the last two games against the Bucks. He forced Giannis on several occasions to alter his shots or to stop his drive and pass the ball out of the paint tonight before going down with the ACL injury. Kanter was a force inside as well, but it looks like he has a back injury that is going to affect him for a while. They may need to shut him down till after the All-Star break.
Knicks are done for the season.
Sucks about Porzingas - Don't like seeing that. Knicks should now be focusing on the draft & the 2018 Season & getting Porzingas healthy
Back to the Bucks - 7-1 since Kidd termination.
Giannis flew from the free throw line for that slam while putting his nuts in the face of the defender. LOL....Shaq was talking about it on TNT - It was hilarious.
7-1 since Kidd....Things are looking up
Good win as these are games they should win and that wasn’t always the case under Kidd’s leadership.
Cleveland in total freefall and the 3 seed is there for the taking.
Cleveland not f’n around at the deadline... they dumped half their roster today. Wow...
Cleveland trades Isaiah Thomas and a 1st round pick to the Lakers for Clarkson and Nance. Then they deal Crowder, Shumpert, and Rose for Hood and George Hill in a 3 team deal. Shumpert and a second rounder end up in Miami, Crowder and Rose in Utah. Then they deal Wade to Miami for a second rounder.
Wow. 4 new players to integrate and make a run at the Finaks? Or a white flag knowing LeBron is going to be a Laker (which this deal almost guarantees with Thomas’ $$$ coming off the books after this year).
Bucks as expected are quiet... but DeAndre Jordan still on the block...
The Cavs got some good 3 and D win players in these deals. I was never a fan of Isaiah Thomas. I thought the Celtics actually played better without him last year in the playoffs. He should be used as a Vinnie Johnson type guy - 20 minutes a game off the bench of instant offense. He's just too great a liability on defense.
It's hard to believe that the Cavs traded a 25 year old 5-time all-star for what essentially ended up being George Hill and Rodney Hood along with Brooklyn's #1 pick. Unless Brooklyn's #1 pick ends up being a superstar, the Cavs really botched that situation.
The Cavs had the #1 overall picks in 2011, 2013, and 2014 and ended up with George Hill, Rodney Hood, and Kevin Love to show for it 4 years later. But I think they are happy with the ring.
Brainwashed Boris posted:Sucks about Porzingas - Don't like seeing that. Knicks should now be focusing on the draft & the 2018 Season & getting Porzingas healthy
Back to the Bucks - 7-1 since Kidd termination.
Giannis flew from the free throw line for that slam while putting his nuts in the face of the defender. LOL....Shaq was talking about it on TNT - It was hilarious.
7-1 since Kidd....Things are looking up
The biggest development on Giannis is that he's 8-17 from 3 during his last 8 games. If he could shoot 35% from 3 from here on out, it completely changes how you have to guard him.
I am less rosy on the Bucks recent play. All losing teams save Philly and they were without Embid. Let's see what happens with Miami.
I agree we shouldn’t necessarily start plotting the parade route, you can’t deny the improved play. This is kinda what I though they’d be this year- 50/50 against good teams or worse, beat up on the bad teams. Even this week, you have a pretty good Miami team, then Orlando and Atlanta (2 more bad teams). Even if they lose to Miami, they win the next 3 and they’re 9-2 in the Prunty era. Not so bad...
Music City posted:I agree we shouldn’t necessarily start plotting the parade route, you can’t deny the improved play. This is kinda what I though they’d be this year- 50/50 against good teams or worse, beat up on the bad teams. Even this week, you have a pretty good Miami team, then Orlando and Atlanta (2 more bad teams). Even if they lose to Miami, they win the next 3 and they’re 9-2 in the Prunty era. Not so bad...
The weird thing about the Bucks is that they match up better with a lot of the "good" teams than they do with some of the mediocre teams. The Bucks struggle more than they should against teams with a good center (KA Towns, Anthony Davis, Whiteside, Drummond, even guys like Brook Lopez give them trouble). A lot of the good teams are built around a superstar wing/PF surrounded by 3 point shooters. The Bucks match up better than most with those teams (Warriors, Rockets, Cavs, Celtics, Spurs).
