Opinion: The Bucks are in Trouble

[liam]

I agree with the OP about the defense. Last year they were stifling and that helped them win as many games as they did. If what we saw last night was indicative of their defense the rest of the year they are not the best team in the east like I thought going into the season.

They weren't really stifling last year, either. They were just pretty good on D, apart from their shot blocking.

They were successful because they were the highest scoring team in the league. But they've lost their 2nd best all around offensive player from last year's team, and adding a few jag veterans doesn't replace him. I think losing Brogdon is going to turn out to be a bigger deal than it was played up through the offseason.

The worst part about letting Brogdon go is that they did it because the gave that big contract to Bledsoe. If I was a Bucks fan I would be so sick over that! The Bucks are still a top squad and it's too early in the season to tell anything....

[SHAQATTACK]

I agree with the OP about the defense. Last year they were stifling and that helped them win as many games as they did. If what we saw last night was indicative of their defense the rest of the year they are not the best team in the east like I thought going into the season.

They weren't really stifling last year, either. They were just pretty good on D, apart from their shot blocking.

They were successful because they were the highest scoring team in the league. But they've lost their 2nd best all around offensive player from last year's team, and adding a few jag veterans doesn't replace him. I think losing Brogdon is going to turn out to be a bigger deal than it was played up through the offseason.

The worst part about letting Brogdon go is that they did it because the gave that big contract to Bledsoe. If I was a Bucks fan I would be so sick over that! The Bucks are still a top squad and it's too early in the season to tell anything....

they dumped the wrong guy

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I agree with the OP about the defense. Last year they were stifling and that helped them win as many games as they did. If what we saw last night was indicative of their defense the rest of the year they are not the best team in the east like I thought going into the season.

They weren't really stifling last year, either. They were just pretty good on D, apart from their shot blocking.

They were successful because they were the highest scoring team in the league. But they've lost their 2nd best all around offensive player from last year's team, and adding a few jag veterans doesn't replace him. I think losing Brogdon is going to turn out to be a bigger deal than it was played up through the offseason.

The worst part about letting Brogdon go is that they did it because the gave that big contract to Bledsoe. If I was a Bucks fan I would be so sick over that! The Bucks are still a top squad and it's too early in the season to tell anything....

Read the Bucks forum. This is exactly what they are saying.

[tazzmaniac]

I agree with the OP about the defense. Last year they were stifling and that helped them win as many games as they did. If what we saw last night was indicative of their defense the rest of the year they are not the best team in the east like I thought going into the season.

They weren't really stifling last year, either. They were just pretty good on D, apart from their shot blocking.

They were successful because they were the highest scoring team in the league. But they've lost their 2nd best all around offensive player from last year's team, and adding a few jag veterans doesn't replace him. I think losing Brogdon is going to turn out to be a bigger deal than it was played up through the offseason.

The Bucks had the best defensive rating in the league last season. 

[hwangjini_1]

nm

[CelticSooner]

Everyone now has a year of tape on this Bucks team and they took a step back in terms of the roster. They'll be good but once they missed some shots they kinda folded last night. That Brogdon trade is looking pretty bad with the way Bledsoe is playing.

[liam]

I agree with the OP about the defense. Last year they were stifling and that helped them win as many games as they did. If what we saw last night was indicative of their defense the rest of the year they are not the best team in the east like I thought going into the season.

They weren't really stifling last year, either. They were just pretty good on D, apart from their shot blocking.

They were successful because they were the highest scoring team in the league. But they've lost their 2nd best all around offensive player from last year's team, and adding a few jag veterans doesn't replace him. I think losing Brogdon is going to turn out to be a bigger deal than it was played up through the offseason.

The worst part about letting Brogdon go is that they did it because the gave that big contract to Bledsoe. If I was a Bucks fan I would be so sick over that! The Bucks are still a top squad and it's too early in the season to tell anything....

Read the Bucks forum. This is exactly what they are saying.

Those Bucks fans are right! 

[Phantom255x]

I still think the Bucks are one of the best teams in the East. If we're being honest, I do think the East is still open though. MIL and PHI are still the Top-2, but unlike last year with Kawhi's Raptors and the years past with Lebron's Cavs, I don't see a clear cut favorite in the East. Even the C's remain in the mix.

Could ultimately be determined by injuries, and in-season acquisitions/signings.

I am a little surprised the Pacers are 1-3 so far, but we're only 4 games in. Raptors though without Kawhi still look really good.

[hwangjini_1]

maybe not totally a good fit in this thread, but what the heck.

Dan Greenberg
✔
@StoolGreenie
Celtics defense against Giannis:

Semi: guarded him 51% of the time, 2 points (1-2)
Smart: guarded him 32% of the time, 5 points (1-2)
Theis: guarded him 14.5% of the time, 9 points (4-5)

[gouki88]

maybe not totally a good fit in this thread, but what the heck.

Dan Greenberg
✔
@StoolGreenie
Celtics defense against Giannis:

Semi: guarded him 51% of the time, 2 points (1-2)
Smart: guarded him 32% of the time, 5 points (1-2)
Theis: guarded him 14.5% of the time, 9 points (4-5)

So in other words, keep Theis the hell away from him!

[CF033]

It depends on what 'in trouble' means. If it means they're probably not competing for a championship this year then I agree. They're probably slightly downgraded from what they were last year.

They are still really tough though.

[SparzWizard]

It depends on what 'in trouble' means. If it means they're probably not competing for a championship this year then I agree. They're probably slightly downgraded from what they were last year.

They are still really tough though.

They lost Malcolm Brogdon. But they should be fine with Khris Middleton being their second best player on the team.

[SparzWizard]

I still think the Bucks are one of the best teams in the East. If we're being honest, I do think the East is still open though. MIL and PHI are still the Top-2, but unlike last year with Kawhi's Raptors and the years past with Lebron's Cavs, I don't see a clear cut favorite in the East. Even the C's remain in the mix.

Could ultimately be determined by injuries, and in-season acquisitions/signings.

I am a little surprised the Pacers are 1-3 so far, but we're only 4 games in. Raptors though without Kawhi still look really good.

This year's Raptors will be like last year's Celtics. Good enough for maybe a 4 or 5 seed and get bounced in the first round. Can't see them competing far without Kawhi Leonard.

[tazzmaniac]

maybe not totally a good fit in this thread, but what the heck.

Dan Greenberg
✔
@StoolGreenie
Celtics defense against Giannis:

Semi: guarded him 51% of the time, 2 points (1-2)
Smart: guarded him 32% of the time, 5 points (1-2)
Theis: guarded him 14.5% of the time, 9 points (4-5)

So in other words, keep Theis the hell away from him!

And then there's the other 2.5% when he scored 6 points. 

[Neurotic Guy]

maybe not totally a good fit in this thread, but what the heck.

Dan Greenberg
✔
@StoolGreenie
Celtics defense against Giannis:

Semi: guarded him 51% of the time, 2 points (1-2)
Smart: guarded him 32% of the time, 5 points (1-2)
Theis: guarded him 14.5% of the time, 9 points (4-5)

So in other words, keep Theis the hell away from him!

And then there's the other 2.5% when he scored 6 points.

Bucks looked awfully tough that first half.  I wouldn't sleep on them.  If I thought for real that Semi is a true Freak Stopper, I'd be pretty invested in not losing him.  I know a lot here aren't that high on him given his limitations. But if he has emerged as a serious momentum stopper of some teams' number 1  I think there is huge value there. Fun seeing he and Smart on the court together defensively in short stints.