NBA Playoffs 2021

[celticsclay]

Saric, torn ACL...did not look good when it happened.

I am not sure how effective he can be after that. He already really struggled with his slow speed. If he gets any slower not sure he can stay on floor defensively. Also, reminds me of the time during 76ers mania when people were saying he would average 20,12 and 6 if he got off the 76ers. Man was that a silly time for the forum.

I'm not sure how much an ACL affects a player's lateral quickness, which is what is important for defence. His straight line speed will be hindered no doubt.

But he's always hovered around average defence. It's his passing and shooting that will get him playing time. It's a real bummer for him, but luckily he's got that long-term contract. Always wanted him as a bench big here, but I do fondly remember the All-Star Saric projections

I was very high on Saric and per 36 he was still producing at a pretty nice clip even this season at 18.1 p, 7.9 r, 2.7 a, 1.2 s with an eFG% of 51.6 and a TS% of 56.7.  Only played 17 mpg though.  Shame he got hurt, but at least he has 2 years left on his contract so he will get paid to sit out next year and paid to get back into real playing form the next year, just in time for a new contract.

You have a very obvious chance to admit you over valued saric while he was on the 76ers. Will you take it? Or will it be a Gregory Hines situation?

[Birdman]

I still think the Bucks will win this series..

[Ogaju]

Two down…two to go.

[Moranis]

I still think the Bucks will win this series..

I'd like to think that as well, but I've come even more to the conclusion that Middleton just isn't good enough as a 2nd option.  Giannis was +3 in 40 minutes, they were -13 in the 8 minutes he was on the bench. That just can't happen. That said I expect a better Middleton at home

[nickagneta]

I still think the Bucks will win this series..

I do too. It will be 2-2 going back to Phoenix and I think Milwaukee has what it takes to win one in Phoenix, whereas I don't believe Phoenix will win a game in Milwaukee.

[gift]

I still think the Bucks will win this series..

I do too. It will be 2-2 going back to Phoenix and I think Milwaukee has what it takes to win one in Phoenix, whereas I don't believe Phoenix will win a game in Milwaukee.

That's my feeling as well. Since Kyrie got hurt, I really thought the Bucks would win it all, despite not always playing the best.

[footey]

Before series I was taking Bucks assuming healthy Giannis.  Now, it seems only a Chris Paul hamstring pull can stop the Suns. They seem like a team of destiny. Also  they play together so much better than the Bucks.  I wish Ime showed tape of how the Suns whip the ball around to his new team; that is how the game is played. It doesn't hurt to have an all time PG keeping guys accountable on the court.

[Moranis]

Before series I was taking Bucks assuming healthy Giannis.  Now, it seems only a Chris Paul hamstring pull can stop the Suns. They seem like a team of destiny. Also  they play together so much better than the Bucks.  I wish Ime showed tape of how the Suns whip the ball around to his new team; that is how the game is played. It doesn't hurt to have an all time PG keeping guys accountable on the court.

Bucks role players (i.e. everyone except Giannis) have pretty consistently played a lot better at home.  I imagine they win the next 2, which makes game 5 the key game of the series.

[footey]

Simmons had die hard  Bucks fan talking about the series.  Remains hopeful.  But says that the Bucks' biggest problem all season is not having a point guard. That Holiday, while superb defensively, just doesn't have point guard skills on offense.  He can dribble penetrate okay, but doesn't have the ability to make plays once he does.  Been a consistent problem all season for them.  That none of the Bucks, save Giannis, handles the ball well. 

[Moranis]

Giannis with the first 30 point half in a Finals game since Iverson's 1st half in game 1 against the Lakers 20 years ago.  Apparently since the merger only Giannis and Isiah Thomas (twice - in 89 and 90) are the only players with a 30 point 2nd half in a Finals game.  The Bucks are +4 with Giannis and -27 without him in the series, and we saw a tremendous example of that in that 2nd half last night where Giannis played 21.5 minutes and the Bucks were +8 with him and -7 in the 2.5 minutes he was on the bench.  The Bucks have just fallen apart without Giannis on the floor.  I don't think we see such a dramatic drop in Milwaukee and I'd be absolutely shocked if the Bucks lose game 3 and frankly a little surprised if this isn't 2-2 heading to game 5.

[liam]

Are the playoffs still going on?

[PAOBoston]

The Bucks are toast if Middleton and Holiday decide to be no shows, especially Holiday. That’s been the series this far.

[Ogaju]

lol

[liam]

I'm really not a fan of coach Bud. I don't know how he's kept his job this long.

"Bucks fail to adjust in Game 2, putting Mike Budenholzer's job in jeopardy"


https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nba-finals-bucks-fail-to-adjust-in-game-2-putting-mike-budenholzers-job-in-jeopardy-161034711.html

[Moranis]

Bud has definitely had some issues, but at the end of the day Middleton and Holiday quite simply just have to be better.  That really has been the Bucks issue in basically every game they've lost this post season.