2023-24 Bucks Season Thread

[patrickgpe]

Like I said before, the timing of griffin’s firing was awful. I’m glad that are starting the post all star break games strong. They really have improved defensively in a short time period. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Sixers had just beaten the Cavs and the Bucks absolutely trounced them in their house today. Team is back to playing really solid rotational defense - no doubt the immediate benefit of a Joerger on the staff. Dame efforting quite well on that end. Pat and Bobby starting to look like their old selves. Vibes suddenly much better. You love to see it.

[Joseph Zarr]

46 minutes ago, patrickgpe said:

Like I said before, the timing of griffin’s firing was awful. I’m glad that are starting the post all star break games strong. They really have improved defensively in a short time period. 

The timing in terms of starting arguably the roughest remaining schedule in the League with a five game road trip and a new HC and lead assistants. Yeah, that part was awfully tough. BUT, I think we know it absolutely had to be done amd any later than that and the team loses the precious time needed to at least try to make a serious post season run while allowing the changes a chance to find their foothold. Credit to Horst for acknowledging the clear overmatched HC and mistake hire and moving on when he did. It is clear Horst and ownership knows this window is quite small and their roster filled with older (and only getting older) vets. They backed up the rhetoric and acquisition action. These past two games were very encouraging. Lotta season left.

[Joseph Zarr]

The Bucks just held the Hornets to 26 first half points. Not a typo. How bad was Griffin? He was really bad.

[wallus]

Competent coaching>Griff

[BrewerFan]

3 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

The Bucks just held the Hornets to 26 first half points. Not a typo. How bad was Griffin? He was really bad.

I don't know if he was that bad schematically(which isn't arguing, I just don't know Basketball like I know the sports I played)...BUT, it sure as hell seems like this team is playing with more energy and doing the small things much better. Just simple stuff like getting their arms up on defense when trying to deny and picking up deflections. 

It seems to me like the biggest issue was the personal relationships. Are they doing things that differently fundamentally defensively? All the schematic changes look small to me. I'd be curious what the Basketball aficionados' have to say about their actual changes aside from communication and being a more cohesive unit. 

 

But again, just from what I see, even Dame is getting in on the act. The ball movement also looks exceptional. I feel like that can help out on the defensive end. A good shot vs Dame or Giannis trying to win off the bounce(which they're good at) and then kicking it out, it was sloppier than they're playing, and that led to more fastbreak points.

Jae Crowder looks like he's fitting in much better and Pat Bev is giving us quality minutes on defense. 

And finally, I wonder if Beauchamp can play himself into this lineup. I get tonight was garbage time, but looked exceptional. He's just capable of being an on-ball defender that no other wing on our team can be. It'd be great if he could round out his game, pick up some minutes so they can use him vs the Celtics bigger wings and be competent on the offensive end. At the very least, a high-energy player who can get some rebounds/tap outs, and keep hitting that corner 3 at a 41% clip?

I still think there's a role for him...but time is winding down. 

 

We may look at this team that went through a struggle similar to the Celtics in Udoka's first year...they were awful early on, then they put the pieces together and hit their groove come April/May and June.

[Fear The Chorizo]

The Bucks look like a team full of NBA veterans who know that the regular season is pretty meaningless besides staying healthy and gelling before the postseason starts.

I think the coaching change is helping on the defensive end, but a big part of this is the NBA regular season is largely a joke when you've got 10 teams from each conference that earn at least some form of a playoff berth.

[Joseph Zarr]

Fellas, the shifts themselves (defensively speaking) weren't huge by any measure - to anyone that knows basketball you could even say they were obvious. BUT, you had a first time head coach completely overmatched. He couldn't adjust 'his' system whatsoever. At least, he couldn't adjust any of it until a player (or multiple players) pleaded with him for an adjustment. Like, for example, put Brook in Drop. Near the rim (derp derp). Instead of chasing guards beyond the 3-Point Line. They were a BOTTOM tier defense getting absolutely obliterated in fast break points because their former coach also demanded they chase all offensive rebounding opportunities. He was patently over-aggressive and irresponsibly so and it led to massive amounts of easy buckets. Where are they now? In essentially a month with Rivers and his staff:

Just a reminder: With Griffin they were dead last in transition points allowed.

There is absolutely no way in Hades I am going to just pawn this off. That is a massive change. The players are now bought in. AND, in numerous outlets this past week the players themselves are also lauding they have structure now. And, they know their roles.

Offensively, it's also blatantly obvious the changes they've made in the near-term. Finally emphasizing ball in Dame's hands as the offense initiator in the space above the FT line and 3-PT extended. Emphasizing this to Giannis and demanding that from him (oh, and him being the unselfish player he is and with quotes coming out of the ASB, he is fully bought in to aiding this cause). Finally emphasizing the Dame-Giannis and Dame-Brook two-man games. AND, they are working on half-court sets and slow-down to do so. You still have Giannis out in transition - a known unstoppable menace. BUT, in the playoffs you have to win the half-court game. Doc and his staff know this. They are working toward this. The Bucks are learning to grind you down. With Griffin, we may have scored a lot of points sure. BUT, it was oftentimes talent alone. It was a bit chaotic and so much of it was necessitated because with his 'scheme' you couldn't stop a fly with these older vets.

The differences are night and day. They are quite visually obvious. And, they are absolutely pleasing to the eye. I can finally watch Bucks games again. Very very refreshing.

[RedStickBrew]

I’ve never really been a Pat Beverley fan but I like the defensive energy he brings to the team. It seems to be working for the Bucks right now

[Joseph Zarr]

12 hours ago, RedStickBrew said:

I’ve never really been a Pat Beverley fan but I like the defensive energy he brings to the team. It seems to be working for the Bucks right now

[Joseph Zarr]

I have always loved Pat Bev's game on a Championship level team. On bad teams, unfortunately, it just comes across as unnecessarily annoying😅. BUT, on the Bucks? This is PJ Tucker 2.0 level influence on the team as a whole. He has unleashed Bobby. He is picking up those uber challenging 2/3 covers and causing havoc. He willed the Buckaroos to a surefire victory last night as they were somewhat languishing with their lead in a road back-to-back. This pick-up at the deadline has done untold good things for the squad's post-season aspirations. He has quickly become a major glue guy. On a team that only has one goal, he was an essential get - especially given his familiarity with Doc and his top assistants. He was made for Milwaukee. This is a beautiful marriage.

As a life long Bucks fan, I just absolutely LOVE this. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this. Put it in my veins.

[RedStickBrew]

20 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

I have always loved Pat Bev's game on a Championship level team. On bad teams, unfortunately, it just comes across as unnecessarily annoying😅. BUT, on the Bucks? This is PJ Tucker 2.0 level influence on the team as a whole. He has unleashed Bobby. He is picking up those uber challenging 2/3 covers and causing havoc. He willed the Buckaroos to a surefire victory last night as they were somewhat languishing with their lead in a road back-to-back. This pick-up at the deadline has done untold good things for the squad's post-season aspirations. He has quickly become a major glue guy. On a team that only has one goal, he was an essential get - especially given his familiarity with Doc and his top assistants. He was made for Milwaukee. This is a beautiful marriage.

As a life long Bucks fan, I just absolutely LOVE this. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this. Put it in my veins.

 

PBev was great last night. Let’s hope he channels his energy in a positive way for the good of the team. 

[brewerfan82]

Bucks have won 7 of their last 9 and held opponents under 100 points in 6 of those games. Do we dare say they're finally turning that corner? 😬

11 of their next 12 games are against above .500 teams. So I guess we'll find out over the next couple weeks!

[BrewerFan]

On 2/28/2024 at 11:17 AM, Joseph Zarr said:

They were a BOTTOM tier defense getting absolutely obliterated in fast break points because their former coach also demanded they chase all offensive rebounding opportunities.

I can't watch a game with my Dad anymore. Anytime I talk to him about the Bucks or... god-forbid watch a game with the Bucks, I hear how his HS coach taught him to "follow your shot," and that's what good teams do!

Yeah, you'll probably get a couple extra rebounds...and when you DON'T get the rebound, they're in transition, and they've got a good shot in the first 6-8 seconds of the shot clock!

On 2/28/2024 at 11:17 AM, Joseph Zarr said:

Offensively, it's also blatantly obvious the changes they've made in the near-term.

 I loved Doc saying he doesn't have a "system per-say, it's just about ball movement and connectivity." 

We've watched SOOO much Bucks basketball, even when they were winning when you see 4 guys standing around and one guy dribbling. If they get in trouble, maybe someone cuts, but the ball movement has been so-so much better.

 

12 hours ago, RedStickBrew said:

PBev was great last night. Let’s hope he channels his energy in a positive way for the good of the team. 

Apparently, Pat Bev told Dame he needs to shoot the ball now like he has been. Take those 34-foot shots that he's going to take in the playoffs. Dame kinda deferred and said he'd take them when he needed to, ie, the post-season...and Pat Bev said, "no, we need you to take those now so the guys can learn to play off it, see how the ball comes off when you miss, the long rebounds."

Don't remember if that was mentioned on the broadcast or not, but I've long admired Pat Bev, but he really is a team guy. And man, he would piss me off if I competed against him in any sport! He loves to just get in guys' heads and get them off their games. It's a thing of beauty!

[Joseph Zarr]

Going for 6 in a row vs the Clippers. Giannis is Out. Middleton is still out (shocker). Clippers on the second leg of a back-to-back. However, like reverse splits, they are quite good on B2B's - especially Kawhi who is ridiculously potent and efficient somehow on the 2nd leg. Bucks will likely need a random statement game from Dame if they want a chance in Hades to steal one. Tough ask with the most dominant Big in the League resting a sore Achilles. Hopefully, this doesn't mean Giannis needs prolonged rest.

[RedStickBrew]

Nice win. Bucks came back from being down most the game. Good performances by Dame and Bobby especially tonight. 

[homer]

opposing fanbases are REALLY gonna hate PatBev and Bobby come playoff time. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Man oh man that was fun. The 13-0 run moment(s) of Zen. Enjoy.

 

[BrewerFan]

8 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Hopefully, this doesn't mean Giannis needs prolonged rest.

No, of course not...but I think there could be some value from Dame being "the guy," for a couple of games. He's seemed just a bit too tentative all year. 

His big game tonight was huge. I want Giannis back if he's healthy, but I think this could be a 5-7 day stretch that it MIGHT be good for the team to play without him(though I suspect he'll be back tomorrow).

[RobDeer 45]

Nice win tonight.  Instead of watching the game my family and I watched the Giannis documentary on Amazon Prime.  Man!  A must watch if you haven't seen it.  Had me in tears multiple times and so pumped for him and the bucks at the end.  What a great story and a great person.  I don't know if we can pull it off but I hope he spends his whole career here.

[Joseph Zarr]

(Note: NSFW due to a couple of 'F' bombs - maybe just one.)

I continue to LOVE Pat Bev in the state of Wisconsin playing professional basketball with the Milwaukee Bucks. 

[adambr2]

Why exactly did we bring Jae Crowder back? What does he offer?

[sveumrules]

Looks like Middleton is expected to play Sunday.

With three B2Bs over the final 15 games that should give him ten to twelve games to get back up to speed before the playoffs barring further setbacks.

Currently half a game ahead of the Cavs at #3 and 3.5 up on the Knicks for the #4 seed.

Staying at #2/#3 would delay any potential Celtics match up to the ECF.

Boston looks like an unbeatable juggernaut, but if we can keep everybody healthy I still think the Bucks  have the best chance of anybody in the East to slay that dragon.

[RedStickBrew]

Bobby Portis!

[worm81]

What a half without Giannis!