Bucks 2022-2023 Season Thread

[adambr2]

The real benefit of the #1 seed IMO was homecourt and not having to face Philly in the 2nd round. 

The play-in format is obnoxious, obviously an extra money grab for the NBA, but it is what it is, pretty immaterial who we drew from the 7-10 crap pile. Is Miami the toughest possible draw we had, probably, but if we manage to lose a 7 game series with the Heat sans Tyler Herro, we have absolutely no business bemoaning the idea that it should have been somebody easier. 

[nate82]

Giannis ruled as doubtful for Game 2 with a lower back contusion.

[BruisedCrew]

On 4/17/2023 at 8:15 AM, adambr2 said:

Pretty early to get too concerned about the series unless Giannis' status for the next few weeks is in question. 

They were down 2-0 to two better teams than this in '21 when they won it all. 

Down 2-0 after losing the first two at home is something else again. 

[adambr2]

32 minutes ago, BruisedCrew said:

Down 2-0 after losing the first two at home is something else again. 

I'll have to wait for them to actually be down 2-0 before I panic about their chances of coming back from 2-0. 

Although Giannis is doubtful for Game 2, so it's a scary possibility.

[adambr2]

49 minutes ago, nate82 said:

Giannis ruled as doubtful for Game 2 with a lower back contusion.

I didn't think we'd have to start sweating in the 1/8 series but this is a pretty crucial game. 

They're capable of beating the Heat without Giannis but Middleton needs some help. 

[Samurai Bucky]

19 hours ago, adambr2 said:

I didn't think we'd have to start sweating in the 1/8 series but this is a pretty crucial game. 

They're capable of beating the Heat without Giannis but Middleton needs some help. 

Jrue has shown he can take a game over, too.  The key is defense outside of where Lopez typically roams. 

[areacodes]

Looks like Giannis was upgraded to questionable. I’d imagine that bodes well for him playing tonight.

[adambr2]

Giannis ruled out. Damn. It.

[nate82]

3 hours ago, areacodes said:

Looks like Giannis was upgraded to questionable. I’d imagine that bodes well for him playing tonight.

[Joseph Zarr]

Just saw the Giannis news. Gag me. Ugh. Let's see what sort of game plan Bud comes up with. My hopes are not high. It's the Playoffs...that time of year when the Bucks can't shoot a basketball but Giannis rescues them and goes for 50.

[adambr2]

Nice close to the quarter when it looked like the Heat were making a run.

[SomewhereInTime]

Umm... Bucks??

[worm81]

This is a fun quarter. Nice to see everyone stepping up.

[adambr2]

Contrary to popular belief, the Bucks without Giannis are still a pretty good basketball team. They just aren't a championship caliber team without him-- but not many teams that lack a Giannis type talent are. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

C'mon guys the Heat stink. Game 1 was annoying but I had zero doubts of winning this series and I think they would do it in 6 if Giannis doesn't play again. 

These teams aren't even remotely close. Cleveland without Giannis, ok, you can sweat, but in a universe where Giannis doesn't exist, this Bucks roster has no business losing a 7 gamer to the Heat. They're not good. 

[Joseph Zarr]

18-of-29 from Deep. 3-of-4 at the Charity Stripe. That'll do, I guess.😅

[nate82]

LOL Carter with a prayer.

[areacodes]

This is ridiculous.

[adambr2]

13 minutes ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

C'mon guys the Heat stink. Game 1 was annoying but I had zero doubts of winning this series and I think they would do it in 6 if Giannis doesn't play again. 

These teams aren't even remotely close. Cleveland without Giannis, ok, you can sweat, but in a universe where Giannis doesn't exist, this Bucks roster has no business losing a 7 gamer to the Heat. They're not good. 

Seems pretty harsh. This Heat team outlasted us last season and were the literal 1 seed and represented the Eastern Conference in the championship bubble in 2020. They do have a recent track record of pretty good success. 

Now do I agree we SHOULD beat them handily in a 7 game series yes I do but for a team on the 7/8 line there have been much worse. 

[adambr2]

It was all fun and games until the other team shot 60% from 3.

[nate82]

Just now, adambr2 said:

It was all fun and games until the other team shot 60% from 3.

It is not possible to win an NBA game if the other team is shooting 50% or better from 3 unless you are also shooting 50% or better from 3. 

The Bucks looked better defensively this game.  Butler is going to get his points just need to stop the supporting cast from getting theirs. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

They're a borderline lottery team. They're not good. I don't care what they did last year. They're a bottom 1/6 offensive team and there's no way they should beat the Bucks, Giannis or not. 

Honestly, what stood out from Game 1 to me is that the Bucks still had a prayer at a late rally with about 3 minutes to go despite that 60% shooting while shooting 8/800 from 3 themselves.  

The Bucks shouldn't lose another game to this team. It could happen but they shouldn't. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

For the record, Miami is slightly above their season 3P%. This is who they are. 

[stoutdude04]

14 hours ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

They're a borderline lottery team. They're not good. I don't care what they did last year. They're a bottom 1/6 offensive team and there's no way they should beat the Bucks, Giannis or not. 

Honestly, what stood out from Game 1 to me is that the Bucks still had a prayer at a late rally with about 3 minutes to go despite that 60% shooting while shooting 8/800 from 3 themselves.  

The Bucks shouldn't lose another game to this team. It could happen but they shouldn't. 

Saw a stat that said, if both teams shot their normal 3 point percentage in game 1 the Bucks would have won by 15.  Didn't check the truth to that, but that feels pretty accurate.  Professionals are going to have games where they play great.  It happens.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I haven't seen what Giannis is doing but am of the opinion he shouldn't play in the first round until they are facing an elimination game.