2024 NBA Season and Playoffs

[Goldstar88]

In other words, if Jrue is your 1st or 2nd best offensive option, your offense isn't good enough and is too easy to stop.

He was a 3rd option in Milwaukee behind Giannis and Middleton.

[Moranis]

In other words, if Jrue is your 1st or 2nd best offensive option, your offense isn't good enough and is too easy to stop.

He was a 3rd option in Milwaukee behind Giannis and Middleton.

like did you not read what I said at all. Milwaukee's problem was Middleton was never the same after the injury and wasn't the player he was or they needed him to be.  That put the second load on Jrue and he couldn't handle it. That is why they went after Lillard.  They needed a 2nd option because they didn't have one. Miami doubled and tripled Giannis and they could because no one else stepped up. They needed the 2nd option, especially to close out games. 

To that pont, I believe Lillard can and will be that guy for them in the playoffs and those writing them off are doing so way too early.  Doesn't mean they will win title or even come out of the East, but Milwaukee is a scary playoff team this year. Lillard gives them something they have never had.

[Goldstar88]

In other words, if Jrue is your 1st or 2nd best offensive option, your offense isn't good enough and is too easy to stop.

He was a 3rd option in Milwaukee behind Giannis and Middleton.

like did you not read what I said at all. Milwaukee's problem was Middleton was never the same after the injury and wasn't the player he was or they needed him to be.  That put the second load on Jrue and he couldn't handle it. That is why they went after Lillard.  They needed a 2nd option because they didn't have one. Miami doubled and tripled Giannis and they could because no one else stepped up. They needed the 2nd option, especially to close out games. 

To that pont, I believe Lillard can and will be that guy for them in the playoffs and those writing them off are doing so way too early.  Doesn't mean they will win title or even come out of the East, but Milwaukee is a scary playoff team this year. Lillard gives them something they have never had.

You realize it takes time to come back from an injury that required surgery, right? They are bringing him a long slowly, he’s on a minute restriction. Still shooting the ball well, 49/37/82 and his per 36 is 21/6/7.

[Moranis]

In other words, if Jrue is your 1st or 2nd best offensive option, your offense isn't good enough and is too easy to stop.

He was a 3rd option in Milwaukee behind Giannis and Middleton.

like did you not read what I said at all. Milwaukee's problem was Middleton was never the same after the injury and wasn't the player he was or they needed him to be.  That put the second load on Jrue and he couldn't handle it. That is why they went after Lillard.  They needed a 2nd option because they didn't have one. Miami doubled and tripled Giannis and they could because no one else stepped up. They needed the 2nd option, especially to close out games. 

To that pont, I believe Lillard can and will be that guy for them in the playoffs and those writing them off are doing so way too early.  Doesn't mean they will win title or even come out of the East, but Milwaukee is a scary playoff team this year. Lillard gives them something they have never had.

You realize it takes time to come back from an injury that required surgery, right? They are bringing him a long slowly, he’s on a minute restriction. Still shooting the ball well, 49/37/82 and his per 36 is 21/6/7.

He is 32, in year 12, and coming off a major injury, he will never be a #2 again.  He is fine as a 3/4 type, but that is Middleton now.  He just isn't ever going to be a guy capable of being the focus of a defense and still doing well again.  And yes, I get Lillard is also in year 12 and a year older than Middleton, but Lillard was starting as 1 and isn't coming off a major injury.  He is fading, but he can still fade into a #2 role, especially in crucial spots.  Holiday is in year 15 and is a few weeks older than Lillard.  He is much more suited to the role he is playing on Boston, i.e. a 4th or 5th offensive option, who isn't relied on for much on that end except hitting open shots and making good decisions.  His advanced metrics have been going down for several seasons, it is only going to continue. 

Had the Bucks stood pat, they would have gone out early again.  They obviously still might this year, but that is much less likely now, that it was had they not made a move. 

[Moranis]

Idk if people saw the Bucks players mobbing Holiday in the locker room and greeting him when the C's played the Bucks earlier this season, but when Giannis and Holiday met up it looked real tense. Maybe part of it was Giannis not wanting to make it awk that he basically got Holiday traded away for Lillard, but some have also said that those two didn't really get along after 2021.

But yeah, to me the Lillard move was more a PR stunt to try and keep Giannis in Milwaukee. If this keeps up there is no way Giannis is staying there beyond his current deal. They had to do something.

Moranis has made some good points but at the end of the day, Holiday was still one of their better defenders and they didn't improve on that end whatsoever. Lillard to me ends up being a lateral move because while he can score, the Bucks also can't stop anyone. Lillard almost has to score a ton because the Bucks give up too much. The Bucks lost a game last night against the Rockets with Giannis putting up 48/17. I guess Lillard can help in the 4th quarter of playoff games but that's assuming the game isn't out of reach already. MIL isn't built to outscore elite teams at all

Middleton has regressed overall which has caused problems, but I also think people underrate some of the other bench pieces they've lost in recent years. Allen, Ingles, Tucker, Hill, Matthews etc. Outside of Portis can anyone name me without looking up who the rest of their bench is? I don't think their bench is that good anymore either.

Crowder being out hurts them, but he is supposedly coming back soon.  They still have Connaughton added Payne and have their 2nd year guy Beauchamp.  Allen was a loss for them, but Beasley is a fairly similar player. 

So their playoff bench last year was (sorted by minutes): Portis, Ingles, Connaughton, Carter, Crowder

So far this year their bench is (sorted by minutes): Crowder (just 9 games), Portis, Connaughton, Beauchamp, Payne, and Andre Jackson (36th pick in last draft)

Even without Crowder, I'm not sure there is all that much difference in their bench and their record is basically the same as it was last year anyway (maybe a game worse win percentage).

[celticsclay]

Idk if people saw the Bucks players mobbing Holiday in the locker room and greeting him when the C's played the Bucks earlier this season, but when Giannis and Holiday met up it looked real tense. Maybe part of it was Giannis not wanting to make it awk that he basically got Holiday traded away for Lillard, but some have also said that those two didn't really get along after 2021.

But yeah, to me the Lillard move was more a PR stunt to try and keep Giannis in Milwaukee. If this keeps up there is no way Giannis is staying there beyond his current deal. They had to do something.

Moranis has made some good points but at the end of the day, Holiday was still one of their better defenders and they didn't improve on that end whatsoever. Lillard to me ends up being a lateral move because while he can score, the Bucks also can't stop anyone. Lillard almost has to score a ton because the Bucks give up too much. The Bucks lost a game last night against the Rockets with Giannis putting up 48/17. I guess Lillard can help in the 4th quarter of playoff games but that's assuming the game isn't out of reach already. MIL isn't built to outscore elite teams at all

Middleton has regressed overall which has caused problems, but I also think people underrate some of the other bench pieces they've lost in recent years. Allen, Ingles, Tucker, Hill, Matthews etc. Outside of Portis can anyone name me without looking up who the rest of their bench is? I don't think their bench is that good anymore either.

Crowder being out hurts them, but he is supposedly coming back soon.  They still have Connaughton added Payne and have their 2nd year guy Beauchamp.  Allen was a loss for them, but Beasley is a fairly similar player. 

So their playoff bench last year was (sorted by minutes): Portis, Ingles, Connaughton, Carter, Crowder

So far this year their bench is (sorted by minutes): Crowder (just 9 games), Portis, Connaughton, Beauchamp, Payne, and Andre Jackson (36th pick in last draft)

Even without Crowder, I'm not sure there is all that much difference in their bench and their record is basically the same as it was last year anyway (maybe a game worse win percentage).

I think this is all fair. The bigger problem may just be they have a lot of old players including Middleton Lopez and Lilliard. I think those guys declining is a bigger problem than their bench.

[Celtics2021]

Idk if people saw the Bucks players mobbing Holiday in the locker room and greeting him when the C's played the Bucks earlier this season, but when Giannis and Holiday met up it looked real tense. Maybe part of it was Giannis not wanting to make it awk that he basically got Holiday traded away for Lillard, but some have also said that those two didn't really get along after 2021.

But yeah, to me the Lillard move was more a PR stunt to try and keep Giannis in Milwaukee. If this keeps up there is no way Giannis is staying there beyond his current deal. They had to do something.

Moranis has made some good points but at the end of the day, Holiday was still one of their better defenders and they didn't improve on that end whatsoever. Lillard to me ends up being a lateral move because while he can score, the Bucks also can't stop anyone. Lillard almost has to score a ton because the Bucks give up too much. The Bucks lost a game last night against the Rockets with Giannis putting up 48/17. I guess Lillard can help in the 4th quarter of playoff games but that's assuming the game isn't out of reach already. MIL isn't built to outscore elite teams at all

Middleton has regressed overall which has caused problems, but I also think people underrate some of the other bench pieces they've lost in recent years. Allen, Ingles, Tucker, Hill, Matthews etc. Outside of Portis can anyone name me without looking up who the rest of their bench is? I don't think their bench is that good anymore either.

Crowder being out hurts them, but he is supposedly coming back soon.  They still have Connaughton added Payne and have their 2nd year guy Beauchamp.  Allen was a loss for them, but Beasley is a fairly similar player. 

So their playoff bench last year was (sorted by minutes): Portis, Ingles, Connaughton, Carter, Crowder

So far this year their bench is (sorted by minutes): Crowder (just 9 games), Portis, Connaughton, Beauchamp, Payne, and Andre Jackson (36th pick in last draft)

Even without Crowder, I'm not sure there is all that much difference in their bench and their record is basically the same as it was last year anyway (maybe a game worse win percentage).

I think this is all fair. The bigger problem may just be they have a lot of old players including Middleton Lopez and Lilliard. I think those guys declining is a bigger problem than their bench.

I think the related issue is that they lost in the first round last year, so a bench that is similar to last year isn’t really the solution.  Yes, Giannis missed a couple of games, but the only game they won was when he sat, so that’s not a strong excuse.  This was a team that looked exposed last postseason, and looks to have the same problems this year, with fewer options to correct it. They’re a legit top 3 team in the East, but that could be only worth a second-round playoff appearance, and I don’t think that’s the Bucks’ goal, especially given how tapped out they are on draft picks (they don’t control any of their picks through 2030, and have only two seconds in the next seven drafts).  If their issues don’t fix themselves in the postseason (and they may), things could go south there in a hurry.

[SparzWizard]

Lol Lakers survived against the Clippers

[Who]

Jokic has 16 assists in just 25 minutes. Wow. Only 4pts. 5 blocks. More blocks than points. 7 rebounds. Crazy stat-line.

[cman88]

In other words, if Jrue is your 1st or 2nd best offensive option, your offense isn't good enough and is too easy to stop.

He was a 3rd option in Milwaukee behind Giannis and Middleton.

like did you not read what I said at all. Milwaukee's problem was Middleton was never the same after the injury and wasn't the player he was or they needed him to be.  That put the second load on Jrue and he couldn't handle it. That is why they went after Lillard.  They needed a 2nd option because they didn't have one. Miami doubled and tripled Giannis and they could because no one else stepped up. They needed the 2nd option, especially to close out games. 

To that pont, I believe Lillard can and will be that guy for them in the playoffs and those writing them off are doing so way too early.  Doesn't mean they will win title or even come out of the East, but Milwaukee is a scary playoff team this year. Lillard gives them something they have never had.

You realize it takes time to come back from an injury that required surgery, right? They are bringing him a long slowly, he’s on a minute restriction. Still shooting the ball well, 49/37/82 and his per 36 is 21/6/7.

He is 32, in year 12, and coming off a major injury, he will never be a #2 again.  He is fine as a 3/4 type, but that is Middleton now.  He just isn't ever going to be a guy capable of being the focus of a defense and still doing well again.  And yes, I get Lillard is also in year 12 and a year older than Middleton, but Lillard was starting as 1 and isn't coming off a major injury.  He is fading, but he can still fade into a #2 role, especially in crucial spots.  Holiday is in year 15 and is a few weeks older than Lillard.  He is much more suited to the role he is playing on Boston, i.e. a 4th or 5th offensive option, who isn't relied on for much on that end except hitting open shots and making good decisions.  His advanced metrics have been going down for several seasons, it is only going to continue. 

Had the Bucks stood pat, they would have gone out early again.  They obviously still might this year, but that is much less likely now, that it was had they not made a move.

yeah we are almost 3 years removed from Middleton being that guy. this idea that he will return to being that 20ppg all-star is not realistic. idk why people keep saying that.

its like saying Gordon Hayward will return to being a 20ppg all-star.

[Moranis]

Idk if people saw the Bucks players mobbing Holiday in the locker room and greeting him when the C's played the Bucks earlier this season, but when Giannis and Holiday met up it looked real tense. Maybe part of it was Giannis not wanting to make it awk that he basically got Holiday traded away for Lillard, but some have also said that those two didn't really get along after 2021.

But yeah, to me the Lillard move was more a PR stunt to try and keep Giannis in Milwaukee. If this keeps up there is no way Giannis is staying there beyond his current deal. They had to do something.

Moranis has made some good points but at the end of the day, Holiday was still one of their better defenders and they didn't improve on that end whatsoever. Lillard to me ends up being a lateral move because while he can score, the Bucks also can't stop anyone. Lillard almost has to score a ton because the Bucks give up too much. The Bucks lost a game last night against the Rockets with Giannis putting up 48/17. I guess Lillard can help in the 4th quarter of playoff games but that's assuming the game isn't out of reach already. MIL isn't built to outscore elite teams at all

Middleton has regressed overall which has caused problems, but I also think people underrate some of the other bench pieces they've lost in recent years. Allen, Ingles, Tucker, Hill, Matthews etc. Outside of Portis can anyone name me without looking up who the rest of their bench is? I don't think their bench is that good anymore either.

Crowder being out hurts them, but he is supposedly coming back soon.  They still have Connaughton added Payne and have their 2nd year guy Beauchamp.  Allen was a loss for them, but Beasley is a fairly similar player. 

So their playoff bench last year was (sorted by minutes): Portis, Ingles, Connaughton, Carter, Crowder

So far this year their bench is (sorted by minutes): Crowder (just 9 games), Portis, Connaughton, Beauchamp, Payne, and Andre Jackson (36th pick in last draft)

Even without Crowder, I'm not sure there is all that much difference in their bench and their record is basically the same as it was last year anyway (maybe a game worse win percentage).

I think this is all fair. The bigger problem may just be they have a lot of old players including Middleton Lopez and Lilliard. I think those guys declining is a bigger problem than their bench.

I think the related issue is that they lost in the first round last year, so a bench that is similar to last year isn’t really the solution.  Yes, Giannis missed a couple of games, but the only game they won was when he sat, so that’s not a strong excuse.  This was a team that looked exposed last postseason, and looks to have the same problems this year, with fewer options to correct it. They’re a legit top 3 team in the East, but that could be only worth a second-round playoff appearance, and I don’t think that’s the Bucks’ goal, especially given how tapped out they are on draft picks (they don’t control any of their picks through 2030, and have only two seconds in the next seven drafts).  If their issues don’t fix themselves in the postseason (and they may), things could go south there in a hurry.

benches have very little to do with post season success, which is why the Bucks made the Lillard trade.  They were trying to upgrade the starting lineup because that is how you really improve a team.

[Yuckabuck33]

Idk if people saw the Bucks players mobbing Holiday in the locker room and greeting him when the C's played the Bucks earlier this season, but when Giannis and Holiday met up it looked real tense. Maybe part of it was Giannis not wanting to make it awk that he basically got Holiday traded away for Lillard, but some have also said that those two didn't really get along after 2021.

But yeah, to me the Lillard move was more a PR stunt to try and keep Giannis in Milwaukee. If this keeps up there is no way Giannis is staying there beyond his current deal. They had to do something.

Moranis has made some good points but at the end of the day, Holiday was still one of their better defenders and they didn't improve on that end whatsoever. Lillard to me ends up being a lateral move because while he can score, the Bucks also can't stop anyone. Lillard almost has to score a ton because the Bucks give up too much. The Bucks lost a game last night against the Rockets with Giannis putting up 48/17. I guess Lillard can help in the 4th quarter of playoff games but that's assuming the game isn't out of reach already. MIL isn't built to outscore elite teams at all

Middleton has regressed overall which has caused problems, but I also think people underrate some of the other bench pieces they've lost in recent years. Allen, Ingles, Tucker, Hill, Matthews etc. Outside of Portis can anyone name me without looking up who the rest of their bench is? I don't think their bench is that good anymore either.

Crowder being out hurts them, but he is supposedly coming back soon.  They still have Connaughton added Payne and have their 2nd year guy Beauchamp.  Allen was a loss for them, but Beasley is a fairly similar player. 

So their playoff bench last year was (sorted by minutes): Portis, Ingles, Connaughton, Carter, Crowder

So far this year their bench is (sorted by minutes): Crowder (just 9 games), Portis, Connaughton, Beauchamp, Payne, and Andre Jackson (36th pick in last draft)

Even without Crowder, I'm not sure there is all that much difference in their bench and their record is basically the same as it was last year anyway (maybe a game worse win percentage).

I think this is all fair. The bigger problem may just be they have a lot of old players including Middleton Lopez and Lilliard. I think those guys declining is a bigger problem than their bench.

I think the related issue is that they lost in the first round last year, so a bench that is similar to last year isn’t really the solution.  Yes, Giannis missed a couple of games, but the only game they won was when he sat, so that’s not a strong excuse.  This was a team that looked exposed last postseason, and looks to have the same problems this year, with fewer options to correct it. They’re a legit top 3 team in the East, but that could be only worth a second-round playoff appearance, and I don’t think that’s the Bucks’ goal, especially given how tapped out they are on draft picks (they don’t control any of their picks through 2030, and have only two seconds in the next seven drafts).  If their issues don’t fix themselves in the postseason (and they may), things could go south there in a hurry.

benches have very little to do with post season success, which is why the Bucks made the Lillard trade.  They were trying to upgrade the starting lineup because that is how you really improve a team.

Hyperbole?
The lack of a championship in 1987 had nothing to do with the fact that the 87 Celtics had no real bench and K.C. Jones had to overplay his starters, including guys who were already injured and one played on a broken foot?

[SHAQATTACK]

Lol Lakers survived against the Clippers

Clippers aren’t much , bunch of names .

[Phantom255x]

So according to Giannis, the Bucks should fire their equipment manager!

"We have to be better. We have to play better, we have to defend better, we have to trust one another better, we have to be coached better," Antetokounmpo said. "Every single thing, everybody has to be better. It starts from the equipment manager -- he has to wash our clothes better. The bench has to be better, the leaders of the team have to be more vocal, we have to make more shots, we have to defend better, we have to have a better strategy, we have to be better. We have four months to get better, so we'll see."

From his comments after losing the Heat series last year ("season not a failure") to everything since, I'd bet a decent amount he's not a Bucks player after 2025. And I think even he knows they are toast and is basically starting up all the excuses.

The Bucks got Lillard to improve the starting lineup, add scoring and appease Giannis, but it's pretty clear that's not working and their defense took an even bigger hit. And sorry, but Giannis signing an extension shortly after that doesn't seem like a coincidence, he definitely pushed hard for it. But inadvertently, that also allowed Boston to get Holiday which I don't think the Bucks FO was expecting lol. 

I guess we'll see what happens in the playoffs. Maybe Lillard does go off and makes a bunch of clutch shots in the 4th. But right now I would pick Miami, Philly and Boston in a playoff series over them. I think even the Pacers could take them the distance in a series.

[Surferdad]

Lol Lakers survived against the Clippers

Clippers aren’t much , bunch of names .

Clips were 14-2 in their previous 16 games.