Bucks 2024-25 Season Thread

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm going to be tuning into the Cavs VS Bucks game on Sunday night. While you can't put too much into one game, I think this game will be a good litmus test for the Bucks and their progress. The Cavs have won all 3 previous meetings this season, while the first 2 games were close, the last one wasn't.

I am not tying to overhype the "New Bucks", but I think they are playing much better. More importantly, their bench seems deeper and that's allowing them to give less minutes to the starters.

I still think they will probably bow out of the Playoffs pretty quickly (Round 2), but their progress is good to see. Getting Portis back after his suspension could be seen as another positive. Bobby P. will be well rested and I am guessing, wanting to prove himself to the fans and organization.

 

[Voyageur]

I'm going to be tuning into the Cavs VS Bucks game on Sunday night. While you can't put too much into one game, I think this game will be a good litmus test for the Bucks and their progress. The Cavs have won all 3 previous meetings this season, while the first 2 games were close, the last one wasn't.

I am not tying to overhype the "New Bucks", but I think they are playing much better. More importantly, their bench seems deeper and that's allowing them to give less minutes to the starters.

I still think they will probably bow out of the Playoffs pretty quickly (Round 2), but their progress is good to see. Getting Portis back after his suspension could be seen as another positive. Bobby P. will be well rested and I am guessing, wanting to prove himself to the fans and organization.

I agree on the value of this particular game. It will give us some indication on how well they might do down the road. We have to be cautious not to take too much positive away from it as a win though, because it is a home game, and the Cavs have a 7.5 game lead on the Lakers, so they're giving players a little more rest than they did while fighting for a spot in the post season. The Cavs are at full strength. Absolutely no injuries to deal with.

One thing about this game. The Cavs obviously don't want to let the Bucks up off the mat at this point in the season. The last thing they want them to have is hope that they will finish strong and be highly competitive in the playoffs. It's there, as a possibility, because there's a lot of talent on the Bucks at this point in time.

It would be easy to over-hype the new Bucks, no doubt about it. I find myself wanting to do it. No doubt about it Kyle Kuzma is a huge step forward over Middleton. Khris was a great player, but father time and injuries have taken their toll. Porter can be a phenomenal player out there. Amazingly good. He has one problem. He has serious anger issues. You can see it at times on the floor. He might even have the capability of being a super star, but he just lacks that self-control to make it happen. I sure hope he's in counseling. He really needs it. The guy can be a force out there on both offense and defense. With a good attitude he'd be a great multiple year signee. I think he's only 23 so still growing into the game.

 

[Voyageur]

So much for the resurgent Bucks and this season. They just don't have the firepower or coaching to make it to the top. They put the hands in Lillard at critical times when he's not up to the task like he was when he was 6 to 8 years younger. Somehow the Bucks need to trade him during the off season and regain some sort of draft capital. At this juncture of the season you do not lose to a sub-.500 team on your home court and talk about making a playoff run.

It's time for a sell-off. Get draft capital, clear cap room, and use that money to rebuild with two or three second contract players who can make a difference out there. We have guys who are younger, Kuzma 26, and Porter 23, who could be long term additions. With trades, use the picks to add some seriously strong talent, and then put the hammer down with a couple of high priced second contract free agents who can make a huge difference. It's all about finding ways to clear cap in a way that they can make these splashes.

Right now, we're destined to be nothing more than ushers at the wedding. We won't even be bridesmaids.

 

[Heyjoe4]

So much for the resurgent Bucks and this season. They just don't have the firepower or coaching to make it to the top. They put the hands in Lillard at critical times when he's not up to the task like he was when he was 6 to 8 years younger. Somehow the Bucks need to trade him during the off season and regain some sort of draft capital. At this juncture of the season you do not lose to a sub-.500 team on your home court and talk about making a playoff run.

It's time for a sell-off. Get draft capital, clear cap room, and use that money to rebuild with two or three second contract players who can make a difference out there. We have guys who are younger, Kuzma 26, and Porter 23, who could be long term additions. With trades, use the picks to add some seriously strong talent, and then put the hammer down with a couple of high priced second contract free agents who can make a huge difference. It's all about finding ways to clear cap in a way that they can make these splashes.

Right now, we're destined to be nothing more than ushers at the wedding. We won't even be bridesmaids.

Yeah losing a game at home to the Magic after a 4-game win streak shouldn't happen. It's a long season though, and all teams experience a loss like this. As long as they don't become common, I don't get too upset about this stuff.

The Bucks are a playoff team. They will probably get to the second round of the playoffs, but I can't see them getting further. Unfortunately, for a rebuild to work, Giannis will have to be traded. That just sucks. Just way too many bad, bad personnel moves the last few years.

 

[Voyageur]

Yeah losing a game at home to the Magic after a 4-game win streak shouldn't happen. It's a long season though, and all teams experience a loss like this. As long as they don't become common, I don't get too upset about this stuff.

The Bucks are a playoff team. They will probably get to the second round of the playoffs, but I can't see them getting further. Unfortunately, for a rebuild to work, Giannis will have to be traded. That just sucks. Just way too many bad, bad personnel moves the last few years.

Well said brother Joe!

 

[Heyjoe4]

Well said brother Joe!

Thanks V. Geez 2021 seems like decades ago. Too bad really. Had they kept Holiday and moved on from Middleton a little earlier, the picture would be different. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

 

[Voyageur]

Thanks V. Geez 2021 seems like decades ago. Too bad really. Had they kept Holiday and moved on from Middleton a little earlier, the picture would be different. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

That's exactly what should have been done. Holiday didn't cost them a 2nd championship.

The loss to the Cavs last night was an indication as to just how far off they are from having a chance to even get close to winning a championship. In a game that they had to show what they had, they left it all in the Lockeroom. You could see it on Doc's face. He knew exactly where they stood and knows that they don't have much of a chance going very deep into the playoffs. It's over for the Giannis era. It's been flitted away by Horst and his parade of coaches who aren't up to the task.

When Giannis and Lillard are gone next year, and they should be, the seats are going to start being empty in larger numbers week after week. It's going to stay that way until Junior Bridgeman can mount a campaign to buy the team outright and run it like the winner it should have been over the last few years. In the NBA, there's only one winner every year and the Bucks had only one of those rings when they should have had at least 3.

 

[weeds]

That's exactly what should have been done. Holiday didn't cost them a 2nd championship.

The loss to the Cavs last night was an indication as to just how far off they are from having a chance to even get close to winning a championship. In a game that they had to show what they had, they left it all in the Lockeroom. You could see it on Doc's face. He knew exactly where they stood and knows that they don't have much of a chance going very deep into the playoffs. It's over for the Giannis era. It's been flitted away by Horst and his parade of coaches who aren't up to the task.

When Giannis and Lillard are gone next year, and they should be, the seats are going to start being empty in larger numbers week after week. It's going to stay that way until Junior Bridgeman can mount a campaign to buy the team outright and run it like the winner it should have been over the last few years. In the NBA, there's only one winner every year and the Bucks had only one of those rings when they should have had at least 3.

Junior passed away today at 71

Louisville's Junior Bridgeman dead at 71

According to multiple reports, Bridgeman suffered a medical event at a luncheon at the Galt House in downtown Louisville. He died several hours later.

spectrumnews1.com

 

[Sanguine camper]

Sad to see the news of Bridgeman's death. I was a huge Bucks fan in his era. He was a terrific player for a long time.

Any chance that Junior would save the Bucks is now toast. I for one am fine with the organization being completely gutted and rebuilt. New coach, GM, trade everybody but Portis.

Like Dan Devine in the early 70's, Horst's squandering of draft picks will set the franchise back into the wilderness like the Packers were in the mid to late 70's.

 

[Voyageur]

Sad to see the news of Bridgeman's death. I was a huge Bucks fan in his era. He was a terrific player for a long time.

Any chance that Junior would save the Bucks is now toast. I for one am fine with the organization being completely gutted and rebuilt. New coach, GM, trade everybody but Portis.

Like Dan Devine in the early 70's, Horst's squandering of draft picks will set the franchise back into the wilderness like the Packers were in the mid to late 70's.

I feel terrible about this. Junior was the man who was in line to turn the Bucks around, make them a team to be reckoned with, if he ended up putting a consortium together. He was a good man, who used the wealth he developed to help others along the way. It was so sudden.

I feel like Milwaukee lost a legend. Someone who really cared about the team, the players, the city, and the people of the city.

He was one of a kind. RIP Junior. You always gave your all, on and off the court. You were one of those players that stuck around and signed them for kids all the time. I can remember once, a long time ago, going into a restaurant in the suburbs of Milwaukee with my Cousin who was a Lieutenant on the city police department, for dinner. There was just the two of us. His wife and my wife were at some kind of a party in the area. Junior was sitting at a table near us, and while he was eating, people came up and asked for autographs and he'd smile and sign them, interrupting his meal. The smile never went away. He was cordial, and nice, saying something kind to everyone. I'd been around top players for another NBA team in my work and at dinner where they were, and I never saw any of them that would sign autographs when they were eating. Junior was different.

My Cousin asked if I'd like to meet him, and I told him no. I didn't want to interrupt his dinner any more than it had already been interrupted.

Over the years, I've been close to a lot of professional athletes. Some are great people, others, not so much. I have a fond respect for those who treated others with dignity. They deserve respect.

RIP Junior. You won't be forgotten. In addition to your number hanging in the rafters in Milwaukee, they will honor you even more. It's the least they can do.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I feel terrible about this. Junior was the man who was in line to turn the Bucks around, make them a team to be reckoned with, if he ended up putting a consortium together. He was a good man, who used the wealth he developed to help others along the way. It was so sudden.

I feel like Milwaukee lost a legend. Someone who really cared about the team, the players, the city, and the people of the city.

He was one of a kind. RIP Junior. You always gave your all, on and off the court. You were one of those players that stuck around and signed them for kids all the time. I can remember once, a long time ago, going into a restaurant in the suburbs of Milwaukee with my Cousin who was a Lieutenant on the city police department, for dinner. There was just the two of us. His wife and my wife were at some kind of a party in the area. Junior was sitting at a table near us, and while he was eating, people came up and asked for autographs and he'd smile and sign them, interrupting his meal. The smile never went away. He was cordial, and nice, saying something kind to everyone. I'd been around top players for another NBA team in my work and at dinner where they were, and I never saw any of them that would sign autographs when they were eating. Junior was different.

My Cousin asked if I'd like to meet him, and I told him no. I didn't want to interrupt his dinner any more than it had already been interrupted.

Over the years, I've been close to a lot of professional athletes. Some are great people, others, not so much. I have a fond respect for those who treated others with dignity. They deserve respect.

RIP Junior. You won't be forgotten. In addition to your number hanging in the rafters in Milwaukee, they will honor you even more. It's the least they can do.

I was very sorry to hear JB had passed at such a young age. I remember how upset (nor surprised) most Bucks' fans were when Kareem said he wanted out. But the trade brought a lot of good players to Milwaukee, including JB - and he turned out to be a great Buck and a great addition to our community.

 

[Voyageur]

I see Doc and Giannis called Kyle Kuzma out for not being "selfish enough" in his play. They figure he isn't taking enough shots, he should give himself more opportunities. In other words, "Let's blame Kuzma for the fact that we're coaching and playing like garbage." Reality is, since Kuz got to the Bucks, he's been pushed off to the weak side by play design, and when opportunities have come to hit him with passes to make good choice 3s, and driving opportunities, Giannis goes one-man-team on the play, or the other 3 guys on the floor do everything they can to get it to Giannis because that's what Doc has stated he wanted right along, except for Lillard, who can take any shot he wants, and often has to take 3 or 4 a game from 5 feet our more outside the arc, just to get enough chances during a game.

Last night was the first game after this blame game on Kuz and he had an awkward game where he wasn't getting position for rebounds, had lousy position for dishing out assists, and threw up three rocks outside the arc.

Congratulations Giannis and Doc Rivers. You've managed to screw up the game of a player who could have evolved into one of your floor leaders by criticizing him for the things that you're doing wrong and costing the team games. This whole thing is turning into a cluster.

 

[Voyageur]

I was very sorry to hear JB had passed at such a young age. I remember how upset (nor surprised) most Bucks' fans were when Kareem said he wanted out. But the trade brought a lot of good players to Milwaukee, including JB - and he turned out to be a great Buck and a great addition to our community.

He was a special person from that group. Bridgeman, Meyers, Winters. Three solid players.

Speaking of Winters. It was March 6, 1982, and we were in New Braunfels, TX. A neighbor was a huge San Antonio Spurs fan, and his in-laws had 4th row center court tickets, opposite the benches. They couldn't go to the game, so they asked him if he wanted them, and he asked me if I wanted to go with him. It was the Bucks vs Spurs.

The game went 3 OTs before the Spurs won it 171-166. It was the only game I ever attended, in any sport, where I couldn't speak the next day from yelling and cheering so hard. I don't think anyone has rung up numbers like that in a game since. It was amazing! George Gervin scored 50 for the Spurs and Mike Mitchell added 45. Both shot over 60% from the field. For the Bucks, Brian Winters came off the bench and scored 42, while Bridgeman also came off the bench and scored 31. Winters shot an astounding 76% from the field and 2 of 3 from outside the arc, while Bridgeman was 1 for 1 beyond the arc. It was an amazing game, and when it was over, both teams were totally spent. So was the audience.

Even though the Bucks lost that game, it was the most exciting, and amazing game I've ever attended. When all hope was lost, time after time, Winters and Bridgeman worked magic on the floor and brought them back. Spurs fans were cursing the two of them telling Spurs players to stop them. They were magnificent and the game was the same. Until that last OT, Winters was matching Gervin shot for shot, and getting a slight edge. Gervin was getting frustrated and was yelling to his teammates to double-team Winters and Bridgeman. It was awesome.

It's still my most treasured moment in sports to be honest, and it was a loss.

I remember, as a kid, people saying that the NBA was a game of big, clumsy men. Then I started going to NBA games in Minneapolis. The first time I saw Elgin Baylor play, the whole concept of what I saw out there changed. I saw a guy who could hang in the air, change his shot twice in flight, and slip it past the ear of a defender several inches taller with extended arms to make shots. Yes. He'd "hang in the air," not jump and come down. It looked like he'd latched onto a sky hook of some sort. I saw what I eventually began calling "the ballet of big men." Yeah! It's not ballet, but when you consider the size of these guys, it's a form of gracefulness that you'd never expect. Watching Baylor, Julius Erving, Oscar Robertson, and today's players Doncic, and Jokic, Between these groups, the amazing Michael Jordan. Giannis is a form of it. He's kind of like the big woodsman, coming into the action, relying on brute strength and size to overpower the guy on tiptoes.

Cue the music and watch them fly through the routines. It's that much fun watching these guys work their magic, even in replays. If you see it from this perspective, you're seeing something special out there.