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Giannis is sitting out because of a "knee" issue.

I know a game in November isn't that critical, but it still sucks the Bucks may lose for the first time this year because they are giving Giannis a rest day on a back-to-back

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No way in heck would I have thought this team could play this well with no Pat, Khris, or Ingles.  And tonight no Giannis.

Honestly the only negative I see in the future, I think the Bucks will take a step back once they have to let Khris and Pat C work off their rustiness as they return from injury and re-integrate themselves back in the rotation.  But geez, what a fantastic way to start the year.

Having a healthy Brook, and trusting Jevon Carter to get more playing time has really helped Giannis and Jrue out a lot.

The Bucks defense is elite,. The Bucks only have 3 guys playing right now that aren't elite defensive players. G. Allen and Portis - and both of those guys are much better on that end as Bucks. Nwora at least is no longer a turnstile.

Giannis, Holiday, Lopez, Carter, Matthews, Ibaka, and George Hill are all guys you can trust on the defensive end of the floor deep into the playoffs - as are Middleton and Connaughton.  Beauchamp is a very good defender as well.

I think a big part of what we are seeing is Bud has maybe listened a little more to his coaches and the critics about defending the perimeter a little better as well as player rotation.  Allen is playing less and Matthews, Hill and Carter are playing more.

I also think it’s obvious to me that some of their guys were not healthy last year - starting with Lopez.  He looks like a different guy as does George Hill.  

Perhaps the most important aspect of this years team is they just seem locked in and motivated and hungry again.   So many championship teams- especially those that aren’t used to winning - take a step back the following year and everyone is gunning for them.   I think losing to Boston rekindled their fire and it looks to me they have something to prove and they are putting the league on notice once again.

I’m pleased about the 9-0 start, but I’m more excited about how they are playing as a team.   This might be the best I’ve see them pass and move the ball since Bud arrived and when they do that their shooters are good enough to knock them down.  It’s crazy to think Giannis has become more of a facilitator but he isn’t playing as much iso ball so teams have no idea how to defend them.   The fact they are scoring 112 per game without Middleton and Pat C is mind blowing.

This upcoming week will be interesting as it looks like the schedule gets a little tougher.  

Last edited by Tschmack
@Tschmack posted:

I think a big part of what we are seeing is Bud has maybe listened a little more to his coaches and the critics about defending the perimeter a little better as well as player rotation.  Allen is playing less and Matthews, Hill and Carter are playing more.

I also think it’s obvious to me that some of their guys were not healthy last year - starting with Lopez.  He looks like a different guy as does George Hill.  

Perhaps the most important aspect of this years team is they just seem locked in and motivated and hungry again.   So many championship teams- especially those that aren’t used to winning - take a step back the following year and everyone is gunning for them.   I think losing to Boston rekindled their fire and it looks to me they have something to prove and they are putting the league on notice once again.

I’m pleased about the 9-0 start, but I’m more excited about how they are playing as a team.   This might be the best I’ve see them pass and move the ball since Bud arrived and when they do that their shooters are good enough to knock them down.  It’s crazy to think Giannis has become more of a facilitator but he isn’t playing as much iso ball so teams have no idea how to defend them.   The fact they are scoring 112 per game without Middleton and Pat C is mind blowing.

This upcoming week will be interesting as it looks like the schedule gets a little tougher.  

The other thing is that reducing Allen's playing time and bringing him off the bench makes him much more effective. Teams can't hunt him as easily and he's not as physically worn down from getting iso'd on almost ever defensive possession. He needs to be used like Bryn Forbes, not like Khris Middleton.

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