Bucks 2024-25 Season Thread

[Heyjoe4]

Last night the Bucks reverted back to the sub .500 team they really are. The tinkering and playing with the lineup, and alienating players has followed the history that Rivers had as a HC in every stop. This team will be dismantled, and we won't see a decent outcome for several years I'd guess. It seems like Rivers has decided it's the guys on the bench that he mismanages in giving them playing time, that are the problem. It's why guys who played roles on all his past teams opted out in free agency the first chance they got.

Fifty years between championships. Horst just couldn't help but destroy the team by tinkering.

I think the Bucks' problems have more to do with the FO and GM than Rivers. They added a very good but aging player in Lillard. Giannis is in his prime, but he's surrounded by older players. To compound it, they gave away draft picks to get non-contributors like Crowder. Crowder is gone as well as the draft capital they gave up to get him.

I hate to say this, but the best way forward may be to trade Giannis and get some draft capital back. Same for Lillard. Lopez and Middleton aren't worth much as far as a trade. Bottom line- they need to rebuild with younger guys. It's gonna take some time.

 

[Voyageur]

I think the Bucks' problems have more to do with the FO and GM than Rivers. They added a very good but aging player in Lillard. Giannis is in his prime, but he's surrounded by older players. To compound it, they gave away draft picks to get non-contributors like Crowder. Crowder is gone as well as the draft capital they gave up to get him.

I hate to say this, but the best way forward may be to trade Giannis and get some draft capital back. Same for Lillard. Lopez and Middleton aren't worth much as far as a trade. Bottom line- they need to rebuild with younger guys. It's gonna take some time.

I agree on the front office. It's a disaster. Horst needs to go, along with the President. But the Rivers hire was as bad as the firing of Budenholz and hiring of Adrian Griffin. Blaming their idiotic decision making on the coaches. I half expect Giannis suggesting he's willing to accept a trade to the right team after this year is over. I also think that we just might see Lillard decline his option year for free agency, and we are going to lose Connaughton, Lopez, and Middleton. Lots of changes coming. Let's hope it starts with the front office.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I agree on the front office. It's a disaster. Horst needs to go, along with the President. But the Rivers hire was as bad as the firing of Budenholz and hiring of Adrian Griffin. Blaming their idiotic decision making on the coaches. I half expect Giannis suggesting he's willing to accept a trade to the right team after this year is over. I also think that we just might see Lillard decline his option year for free agency, and we are going to lose Connaughton, Lopez, and Middleton. Lots of changes coming. Let's hope it starts with the front office.

And I do agree that Rivers is not the answer at HC. But what a cluster. They Whack Bud one year removed from a championship, hire Griffin to a multi-year deal and then whack him midway through the season (at least they owned their mistake), and then hire Rivers who no one else wanted. And somewhere in there they trade the guy that helped them win a championship (Holiday) and who was beloved by the fans and the community for a guy (Lillard) going through a divorce who wanted to be anywhere but Milwaukee.

It's beyond bad management. If it were a publicly-held company Horst would be gone. It's an insult to the fans who have supported this team for so many years.

 

[Voyageur]

And I do agree that Rivers is not the answer at HC. But what a cluster. They Whack Bud one year removed from a championship, hire Griffin to a multi-year deal and then whack him midway through the season (at least they owned their mistake), and then hire Rivers who no one else wanted. And somewhere in there they trade the guy that helped them win a championship (Holiday) and who was beloved by the fans and the community for a guy (Lillard) going through a divorce who wanted to be anywhere but Milwaukee.

It's beyond bad management. If it were a publicly-held company Horst would be gone. It's an insult to the fans who have supported this team for so many years.

Totally agree. I honestly think Horst dumped Bud, then Griffin, to cover his own stupidity, blaming the failures on coaching. Then, hiring Rivers? More to show coaching failed, not him. Now they're paying long term salaries for two guys that aren't worth the effort as coaches.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Totally agree. I honestly think Horst dumped Bud, then Griffin, to cover his own stupidity, blaming the failures on coaching. Then, hiring Rivers? More to show coaching failed, not him. Now they're paying long term salaries for two guys that aren't worth the effort as coaches.

I don't remember the contract details for Griffin. I thought it was five years but it's probably closer to three. Even so, paying a guy millions for three years for 1/2 year's work is a job I want.

The saddest part for me is losing Holiday, who is a great person with a great family and who loved it here, and the likelihood that Giannis will be traded. Giannis and Holiday put Milwaukee back on the NBA map, even if it was only one year.

(And I don't mean to slam Lopez, Middleton, Connaughton, Portis, and many other guys on the championship team. The NBA and the NFL are now built for young guys. 30 is the new 40.......)

 

[Voyageur]

I don't remember the contract details for Griffin. I thought it was five years but it's probably closer to three. Even so, paying a guy millions for three years for 1/2 year's work is a job I want.

The saddest part for me is losing Holiday, who is a great person with a great family and who loved it here, and the likelihood that Giannis will be traded. Giannis and Holiday put Milwaukee back on the NBA map, even if it was only one year.

(And I don't mean to slam Lopez, Middleton, Connaughton, Portis, and many other guys on the championship team. The NBA and the NFL are now built for young guys. 30 is the new 40.......)

The window to being a dynasty has closed. I look around the league and see Donte out there, as well as Grayson. Both showing they can play important roles on a team. Then I see Holiday, and I look at our roster, and see Lillard, and his lack of defense. All I can see is the parade of guys who have come to the Bucks, giving up draft picks because they're going to be an important part of the rotation, then they stink it up, end up going elsewhere, and some not even being good enough to get a vet minimum contract elsewhere.

About as horrible a job of front office management as I've ever seen in sports.