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Well, what to do? What to do with all those expectations? Q&A style. 

Q: Is Jason Kidd a good enough coach to make this team a contender? 

A: Who knows? Probably not. I mean by Thanksgiving the book was out- the Bucks can't shoot, and they can't defend the perimeter. Game after game... and what did Kidd do about it? Well, nothing really. But maybe it was the roster. With as much has changed, we'all soon find out. 

Q: Will the new roster solve the defense, 3 point shooting, and rebounding? 

A: If the preseason is any indication, yeah, it might be. Teletovic is deadly. Dellavadova is an enormous upgrade from Bayless/Mayo, and Brogdon isn't going to take long to find his niche. Beasley is going to be a very effective scorer. Trading for Snell keeps them long in the backcourt (and at least replaces some of Middleton's shooting).  Terry is experienced, and so is Novak, and you have to have that on such a young roster. The only Gs from last year's roster is Middleton (and he's probably not going to play this year) and Vaughn, who is still struggling at both ends and especially shooting. But with the additions they should shoot better, defend better, rebound better... but how much? That answer will probably tell the tale of the season. 

Q: Will their young stars Parker and Antetokoumpo be All-Stars? 

A: One or both should- and the season depends on it. The great thing is the roster compliments them really well, and with Middleton down Parker will get his shot to be the closer. You can see the game slowing down for him now- and that's scary. And Giannis is a year more confident, a year more developed, a year closer to being one of the game's most dynamic all-around players. Watch the turnovers, but he's the proverbial matchup nightmare, and that's the first ingredient to winning in the NBA.

Q: Will Greg Monroe have a place on the roster? 

A: For now, yes. But to me, the 4 year deal for Plumlee spoke volumes about what they want at the C position. As has been said, now that we have seen his game, he doesn't fit. But he's productive, and that should help the Bucks find him a home at the deadline. Unless the Bucks get banged up, I don't think he'll be on the Bucks after the deadline. 

Q: Will the Bucks be a playoff team? 

A: Yes! And depending on the matchup, they might get past the first round. This team will now feature two talented young stars who are unequivocally the focal point of the team's attack. This helps them, because I think the complementary players are better. They should be able to run the break, they should be able to rebound, and they should be able to attack in the half court and get good shooters good looks. It starts at the defensive end, and the G position should be significantly more defensive minded than we've seen in years past. 

Record: 48-34

Last edited by Music City
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I have been totally off the last few seasons trying to predict this team. Last year I thought they had a chance to make a big time splash and they failed in just about every way possible including the signing of Monroe. 

This year I was really hyped and then Middleton goes down which I think is a really big deal.  Not only could the guy shoot and score, but he was a very good defender on a team that lacks D (with exception of Delladova). 

To me the key is I think how well Teletovic and Delladova play.  If they play well I think this is a playoff team that can maybe win 45+ games.  If they don't I'm not sure Giannis and Parker can do enough to push them over the top. 

Parker played the preseason with purpose. And this team is no longer about veterans "getting theirs" until the young guys step in. This is Giannis' and Parker's team now. 

And I'll be honest- the "Middleton is the closer" thing always bothered me. 1/3rd to 1/2 (unscientifically) of games come down to a play in the final minute. Make it you win. Don't and you lose. Middleton was given these chances a lot the last couple years, and I just don't think he's a great one on one player. But Parker? That first step is lightning now. P&R with Giannis and Parker, coming to an arena near you. And now that they have shooting? Like so many other teams, pick your poison. 

I also think the EC is still top heavy. I think the young guys are ready to take a leap forward. I think they're a winning team this year. Not a 50 win team, but better than .500. 

Tough to project the EC.  Cleveland and Toronto should be pretty good.  Boston is getting a lot of love.  Miami and ATL and Charlotte won 48 games each last year but I think all three might take a step back and Indiana might step forward. 

Beyond that it's a crapshoot.  Not sold on Chicago or NYK even with their additions.   

No- Chicago is a dumpster fire. Once the injuries set in, they'll lose and they'll be looking for a new coach. 

Agreed on Indy- they stay healthy they're tough. Knicks will be interesting- for Rose its contract time. Porzingas and Melo are interesting. 

Who is going to score for Orlando? They'll be strong defensively but you gotta score. ATL? I don't think Howard makes them better. The Wizards are stuck in neutral. 

Boston is really interesting. They're going to be well coached. 

There is no reason if Milwaukee plays up to their abilities they can't secure a 5-8 seed.   I think the Cavs, Raps, Celts, and Pacers will be in the top 4 and all of them will be in the 50 win or more range. 

With a healthy Middleton I think he's a 5 win swing.  If he comes back as planned in 6 months he could be around for the playoffs. 

And the defensive and rebounding issues still there. Charlotte getting too many open 3s, too much lane penetration, and the rebounding effort still 5 spectators. 

Malcolm Brogdon a pretty solid debut, though. The offense rallied with him in the floor. Bucks made their first 3 (Dellavadova), then missed the next 8. Charlotte 5/13. 

Brogdon gives me hope. He plays the game the way you want to see. He had that 3 bang off the back iron with a chance to cut the lead to 7, then they go down and give up an and-1... but he plays hard. 

What pisses me off is their inability to rebound. What the f**k are they doing,  spectating??? Hibbert looked like Hakeem out there... he won't have another game like that until he sees the Bucks again. 

Jason Kidd better lite a fire in this team... they were lethargic, lackadaisical, and were outplayed by a team they're going to be battling for a playoff spot...

Giannis had a great game but he can't do it alone. 

Teletovic had an off shooting night and Greg Monroe was 5-14 from the field - not to mention he played 30 minutes whereas Plumlee played like 5 minutes?   They have to ditch Monroe. 

Brogdon looked pretty good and was active on both ends of the court.  Hopefully he can continue to improve. 

Tschmack posted:

Giannis had a great game but he can't do it alone. 

Teletovic had an off shooting night and Greg Monroe was 5-14 from the field - not to mention he played 30 minutes whereas Plumlee played like 5 minutes?   They have to ditch Monroe. 

Brogdon looked pretty good and was active on both ends of the court.  Hopefully he can continue to improve. 

Monroe just looks like he doesn't fit with this team. The most obvious team that needs a center (or at least a remotely competent big guy) is Golden State - especially after what the opening game against the Spurs reveale. The problem is that GS has nothing to trade and their draft picks are going to be so late in the 1st round as to be virtually worthless.

Henson was just as useless defensively.   Charlotte had numerous layups and dunks and easy conversions down low because our bigs suck at playing interior D and for as skilled as Monroe is offensively he's awful defending the paint. 

The other issue with Monroe is he slows down the offense.   This team is built to get out in transition and convert easy buckets or pick up fouls and get to the line. 

Almost wonder if they are better getting Thon Maker more playing time.  He's raw and I wouldn't have him jack up a bunch of shots but he's a ball of energy, can run the floor and he's shown an ability to rebound and contest shots. 

Henson pisses me off. Foul machine, gets beat to the ball all the time is on the glass... all the press clippings and the occasional breakout game point to him being a defensive/rebounding guy. Hibbert rag-dolled his ass last night. 

long season, boys!  at least we know they won't go 82-0.   It takes a bit to get the chemistry going and for Kidd to see what Thon can do more in the mix.   I'm just hoping for them to compete for a playoff spot this year.  If not, definitely next year!

A lot of attention directed at John Hammonds for their failings the last year but how or why Jason Kidd continues to get a pass I don't know.   Him complaining about lack of hustle and energy is on him as the head coach.   Figure it out!! 

 

Kidd has had plenty of time to show what he can do.  If they don't make strides this season I would cut the guy loose.  I think he's more interested in being a front office guy than an Xs and Os guy and he's already proven he sucks at the personnel side of things. 

Yeah- he still played like an idiot against Brooklyn... he's just bad. He isn't strong enough and he isn't smart enough. 

I don't know what Kidd's off-season program was, but there is literally NO DIFFERENCE between last year and this year's team. They are playing the same way, have the same weaknesses, and it's just disgusting. Kidd paid lip service to "commitment on the defensive end" and they turned over 60% of the roster. 

Need to get a coach in here. Coulda had Thibs...

The Bucks are a nice long team. Great! In today's NBA that means NOTHING! You have to have shooters. The Bucks have none. They are getting outshot by every team.

Having length without shooting in the NBA is like having a 10-inch flaccid dick with ED.

They either need to trade Monroe or sit his ass on the bench.  He slows down the offense and can't or won't play D. 

As for Henson, I don't get it.  He's got talent but he's soft and he gets dominated down in the paint.  

If they can't rebound and defend the rim it doesn't matter how well they can shoot or score.  They will always be playing catch up. 

This is why I'd give Thon Maker more minutes.  He's raw and will probably foul like crazy but he can defend out on the perimeter and contest shots. 

 

If that's the future, the future is bright. Giannis goes 27-7-9, Parker goes 27-8-3, active hands, good enough rebounding, hit 12 3s (including Maker draining back to back 3s in the final minute in garbage time)... the Bucks hand Indiana a fairly sound ass whooping 125-107. Bucks attack the paint relentlessly, shoot 58% and 44% from 3. 

Thats 2 in a row...

Last edited by Music City

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