Bucks 2024-25 Season Thread

[Heyjoe4]

I agree. He's mouthy but he can back it up with his play. He's in the same category as Jrue Holiday in my opinion. Halliburton scores more but their brand of play is so similar. They're not selfish and see the floor well.

I don't think the average NBA fan really sees the inside makings of each game, and what it takes as a blend of players out there to win consistently. With only 5 guys playing at one time and usually using 3 or 4 subs at most during key games, the chemistry is either there or you get hammered like the Bucks did by the Pacers, which quite honestly, was not that difficult to predict considering how both teams were playing at the end of the season.

Good point. The Bucks had chemistry when Holiday was here. Not a knock on Lillard, just an observation.

Sounds like the Bucks and Giannis will be together for the foreseeable future. Horst has a huge, but not impossible challenge to find guys who can play together, offense and defense. There are some pieces in place, certainly not all.

But how was the hapless Horst extended......? Don't get me started.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It was no fluke that the Bucks were beaten by the Pacers. They jelled into a great team at just the right point in time to give them an amazing playoff run. You don't see that type of team too often.

I honestly haven't actually watched a basketball game since the Bucks were eliminated, but just from highlights and things I have read, the Bucks were eliminated by a very good Pacers team. One has to wonder if what the Pacers have done since their series with the Bucks, will somewhat slow the roll of any dismantling of the Bucks, more importantly, a fire sale involving trading Giannis.

 

[gopkrs]

The Pacers are amazing. I'm thinking they need to keep home court advantage though. That McConnell, what a spark plug! He messes OK D by bringing the ball up the court so fast and being able to penetrate before he passes. And he's made some timely shots.

 

[Voyageur]

The Pacers are amazing. I'm thinking they need to keep home court advantage though. That McConnell, what a spark plug! He messes OK D by bringing the ball up the court so fast and being able to penetrate before he passes. And he's made some timely shots.

Their quickness doomed everyone in the playoffs so far. OKC is young enough that they have been able to somewhat neutralize it. But on a continuous basis, I like the Pacers odds.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Their quickness doomed everyone in the playoffs so far. OKC is young enough that they have been able to somewhat neutralize it. But on a continuous basis, I like the Pacers odds.

Well they have already flipped home court advantage. Although I think OKC is capable of winning at least one game in Indy.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

They're still playing basketball?

I've been watching the Stanley Cup Finals between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. What a great series so far. It is tied up at 2 games a piece and 3 of the 4 games have been decided in overtime.

I have always been a Hockey fan, especially college, but I have to say, watching the NHL more this year has done 2 things for me. First, it has made me realize just how much I love watching Hockey. Secondly, it has really made me start thinking just how overpaid NFL players are. The top 3 hockey players this season will each be paid between $12.5M-$13.25M. Compare that to what Top NFL players make and it really is outlandish. The NHL season? A long grueling 82 games. Physicality? Maybe this is what stands out to me the most. Just watch an NHL game. These guys give and take hits, flying pucks, sticks, etc. like you wouldn't believe. Meanwhile, they are skating up and down the ice at high speeds. I'm not saying that NFL Football players aren't participating in a physical and grueling sport, but I would say that NHL Hockey players are as well.

 

[DoURant]

They're still playing basketball?

I've been watching the Stanley Cup Finals between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. What a great series so far. It is tied up at 2 games a piece and 3 of the 4 games have been decided in overtime.

I have always been a Hockey fan, especially college, but I have to say, watching the NHL more this year has done 2 things for me. First, it has made me realize just how much I love watching Hockey. Secondly, it has really made me start thinking just how overpaid NFL players are. The top 3 hockey players this season will each be paid between $12.5M-$13.25M. Compare that to what Top NFL players make and it really is outlandish. The NHL season? A long grueling 82 games. Physicality? Maybe this is what stands out to me the most. Just watch an NHL game. These guys give and take hits, flying pucks, sticks, etc. like you wouldn't believe. Meanwhile, they are skating up and down the ice at high speeds. I'm not saying that NFL Football players aren't participating in a physical and grueling sport, but I would say that NHL Hockey players are as well.

The NHL is a great game for the spectator, and the Stanley Cup is maybe the hardest trophy to win, of all the sports. Very seldom the team that wins the Presidents trophy ( Most Regular Season points), doesn't win the Cup, where in the other 3 Major Sports, they normally come out on top.

Hockey doesn't have the revenue that the NFL does, so they can't give those big contracts out. Expansion of the NHL has been very good for the game, their new teams are competitive right out of the gate, and once powerhouse franchises are being left in the dust, and missing the playoffs consistently.

It's hard to be a casual fan of Hockey, as you need to really understand the rules of the game, or you will end up scratching your head wondering why whistles are stopping play. The game is so fast, and physical, it's amazing these guys don't have more major injuries than they do.

 

[Voyageur]

The Panthers are developing a real solid fan base from what I've been told. Even though they have around 4 or 5% empty seats at a lot of games, their fan base still puts them in the top 10 in the NHL for attendance.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The NHL is a great game for the spectator, and the Stanley Cup is maybe the hardest trophy to win, of all the sports. Very seldom the team that wins the Presidents trophy ( Most Regular Season points), doesn't win the Cup, where in the other 3 Major Sports, they normally come out on top.

Hockey doesn't have the revenue that the NFL does, so they can't give those big contracts out. Expansion of the NHL has been very good for the game, their new teams are competitive right out of the gate, and once powerhouse franchises are being left in the dust, and missing the playoffs consistently.

It's hard to be a casual fan of Hockey, as you need to really understand the rules of the game, or you will end up scratching your head wondering why whistles are stopping play. The game is so fast, and physical, it's amazing these guys don't have more major injuries than they do.

You're right on all counts. Hockey games are great to watch in person.

That said, I've only been to one game in my life. It was a Blackhawk game at the old Chicago Stadium just before it was razed, so maybe around 1990 or 1991? There was a fight at center ice before the game even started, right after the National Anthem! And the upper deck in there would visibly sway as fans got riled up and stomped their feet- and they get riled up a lot! We were sitting just to the left of one of the goals. It was wild.

But yeah, to really appreciate the game it's best to know the intricate rules. It cracks me up that the body check - basically slamming a guy into the glass while skating full speed - is entirely within the rules.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The NHL is a great game for the spectator, and the Stanley Cup is maybe the hardest trophy to win, of all the sports. Very seldom the team that wins the Presidents trophy ( Most Regular Season points), doesn't win the Cup, where in the other 3 Major Sports, they normally come out on top.

Hockey doesn't have the revenue that the NFL does, so they can't give those big contracts out. Expansion of the NHL has been very good for the game, their new teams are competitive right out of the gate, and once powerhouse franchises are being left in the dust, and missing the playoffs consistently.

It's hard to be a casual fan of Hockey, as you need to really understand the rules of the game, or you will end up scratching your head wondering why whistles are stopping play. The game is so fast, and physical, it's amazing these guys don't have more major injuries than they do.

I actually think that Hockey has very simple rules, especially compared to the NFL. You got your offsides and icing, which are probably responsible for 80% of the whistles. Even the penalties are pretty easy to understand. The flow of a hockey game is really pretty smooth. Besides Soccer, it has the fewest stoppages in any major sport.

You are right about the money difference between the NHL and NFL, but all it would take is a shift in spectator (TV) interest and the NHL would soon be bumping heads with the NBA.

I mentioned this in another post, but I love how networks have gotten creative with advertising during hockey games (and baseball). They use technology to put adds on the ice and boards. The fans at the games can't see it, but the TV audience can. Much less distracting then stopping play, for a "TV Time Out".

 

[DoURant]

I actually think that Hockey has very simple rules, especially compared to the NFL. You got your offsides and icing, which are probably responsible for 80% of the whistles. Even the penalties are pretty easy to understand. The flow of a hockey game is really pretty smooth. Besides Soccer, it has the fewest stoppages in any major sport.

You are right about the money difference between the NHL and NFL, but all it would take is a shift in spectator (TV) interest and the NHL would soon be bumping heads with the NBA.

I mentioned this in another post, but I love how networks have gotten creative with advertising during hockey games (and baseball). They use technology to put adds on the ice and boards. The fans at the games can't see it, but the TV audience can. Much less distracting then stopping play, for a "TV Time Out".

Getting rid of the two line pass has led to fewer whistles and helped keep the flow going, not to mention it opened the game up for the offense. That was one rule that used to stump the new spectator. I'm also a fan of the 3 on 3, in overtime, they implemented awhile back. It has made for less shootouts deciding games.

Fighting and rough stuff after whistles definitely seems to be making a comeback in the league, or should I say becoming more prevalent, especially in the playoffs. The rules are enforced a little looser in the playoffs, causing frustration and more liberties being taken, until it boils over. Plus, playing a team a minimum of 4 straight games creates fresh memories and animosity between teams. Playoff Hockey is something I enjoy, regardless of who is playing.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Getting rid of the two line pass has led to fewer whistles and helped keep the flow going, not to mention it opened the game up for the offense. That was one rule that used to stump the new spectator. I'm also a fan of the 3 on 3, in overtime, they implemented awhile back. It has made for less shootouts deciding games.

Fighting and rough stuff after whistles definitely seems to be making a comeback in the league, or should I say becoming more prevalent, especially in the playoffs. The rules are enforced a little looser in the playoffs, causing frustration and more liberties being taken, until it boils over. Plus, playing a team a minimum of 4 straight games creates fresh memories and animosity between teams. Playoff Hockey is something I enjoy, regardless of who is playing.

I'm honestly not a fan of shootouts or reduced numbers to decide games. Let a team win it the way the game is played regulation. Which is what they do in the playoffs in the NHL and sort of in the NFL, which also tells me, that it is the preferred method for "important" games. I guess for me it is the same debate as I have in football. I hate the college OT method, as well as the regular season NFL's OT rules. Sudden death in Hockey makes a lot more sense than it does in Football, but suddenly changing the way the game is played, makes little sense to me.

One thing I do agree with you on, 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 Hockey is actually more exciting to watch. If you have ever played hockey, it is crazy tiring to play 3 on 3!

As far as fighting in Hockey. Honestly, I LOVE it. As you alluded to, a lot of aggression gets built up during a game, and definitely during a series. I would much rather see 2 guys drop the gloves and go at it, then 1 guy swinging his stick and taking another players eye out. Did you catch the beginning of the Canada-US game in the 4 Nations Tournament a few months ago? Listen to the crowd....nahhhhh.....nobody likes fighting in Hockey! lol

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[Pokerbrat2000]

WE may have to start a new thread about NHL Hockey, or at least the fighting.

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[Voyageur]

I attended a lot of games back in the early 70s. I actually had seats in Bill Wirtz' box when I had a chance to attend games. That was in the days of Bobby Hull, and Stan Makita. They were really exciting watching.

I won't go into why I had them, but I will say it was a gracious gesture on his part.

 

[DoURant]

Bucks signing Bobby Portis to a new 3 yr., 44M deal, after he declined his player option.

 

[Voyageur]

Bucks signing Bobby Portis to a new 3 yr., 44M deal, after he declined his player option.

This could go two ways. First, the salary is low enough the Bucks could keep him and secondly, he's no more valuable for a trade. It's hard to say what's on Horst's mind. It's kind of like a group of hamsters all trying to get on the one treadmill.

 

[Voyageur]

Damian Lillard is history. I can't say I'm upset about it. Apparently the Bucks were unable to find anyone who would take on his contract so they need to eat over $100 million spread over a 5 year period of time. A little over $22 mill a year from what I've seen. We need to congratulate Horst who gave away top draft picks and players to get a guy who offered nothing to the team for the two years he was on the roster.

Yet here's Horst still making decisions.

I see the Bucks grabbed Myles Turner as a free agent and gave him $107 million for 4 years. A good player to have on your roster but I don't think that blaming Lopez for the defensive failures last year makes this a great signing to replace him. Vasilije Micic has the potential to be a decent player for the Bucks which won't hurt. It's a major overhaul at this point.

At this point it's hard to tell where this will end up. There's still the question as to what the Bucks do with Kuzma. He could end up traded but what would they get? It's hard to say.

 

[Pugger]

Damian Lillard is history. I can't say I'm upset about it. Apparently the Bucks were unable to find anyone who would take on his contract so they need to eat over $100 million spread over a 5 year period of time. A little over $22 mill a year from what I've seen. We need to congratulate Horst who gave away top draft picks and players to get a guy who offered nothing to the team for the two years he was on the roster.

Yet here's Horst still making decisions.

I see the Bucks grabbed Myles Turner as a free agent and gave him $107 million for 4 years. A good player to have on your roster but I don't think that blaming Lopez for the defensive failures last year makes this a great signing to replace him. Vasilije Micic has the potential to be a decent player for the Bucks which won't hurt. It's a major overhaul at this point.

At this point it's hard to tell where this will end up. There's still the question as to what the Bucks do with Kuzma. He could end up traded but what would they get? It's hard to say.

I can understand why Horst wanted Lillard but Dame never really fit IMO. He's a great player and a dynamite shot but it just didn't work out. And who knows when he'll play again, if ever. Connaungton's playing time disappeared this past season so it we are lucky we got anything for him. That kid the Bucks drafted might never play for Milwaukee. He might go and play in Europe.

 

[weeds]

Though not as bad as the Bobby Bonilla/Mets deal, this one is equally nausea inducing.

 

[DoURant]

I like the signing, and feel they were possibly pushed into a corner that they had to, or risk losing Giannis. Giannis wants to win, and he wants to stay in Milwaukee. If they do nothing after the Dame injury, he might request a trade. He wants to win Championships, so where he gets traded, would have to be to a contender, so you get a playoff teams 1st Rd picks, not lottery area picks. The Dame release is a little reckless with the salary cap, but if they can have Giannis, Turner, and possibly Kuzma as their Big 3, it seems much better than the situation they were in with Lillard on the team. Turner seems like a younger version of Lopez for what he does, and Indiana wanted to re-sign him, yet he chose Milwaukee over a team that was 1 game, and 1 injury from an NBA Championship. I'm intrigued by the new look Bucks next year, but time will tell if it actually works out.

 

[Voyageur]

I like the signing, and feel they were possibly pushed into a corner that they had to, or risk losing Giannis. Giannis wants to win, and he wants to stay in Milwaukee. If they do nothing after the Dame injury, he might request a trade. He wants to win Championships, so where he gets traded, would have to be to a contender, so you get a playoff teams 1st Rd picks, not lottery area picks. The Dame release is a little reckless with the salary cap, but if they can have Giannis, Turner, and possibly Kuzma as their Big 3, it seems much better than the situation they were in with Lillard on the team. Turner seems like a younger version of Lopez for what he does, and Indiana wanted to re-sign him, yet he chose Milwaukee over a team that was 1 game, and 1 injury from an NBA Championship. I'm intrigued by the new look Bucks next year, but time will tell if it actually works out.

I like the Turner signing. He's a solid defender. We needed someone since Lopez was going to be gone. Rivers had decided a long time ago he was too slow even though it wasn't Lopez that was slow that was a problem it's the poor defense by Lillard for one. You couldn't expect Lopez to cover all their errors and still be a stopper in the paint. Turner will do a good job but he's about 30 years old himself so they aren't getting a spring chicken who can run the floor for 40 minutes a game without his legs giving out. They resigned Sims to be his backup. Jury out on that one to be honest.

Connaughton is gone. He was gone when Rivers took over. Rivers didn't like him for some reason and kept tinkering with his game and floor time. He really screwed Pat up to be honest. Rivers did the same thing to Kuzma. Kuz had a game that he was solid at, and Rivers wanted it all changed. Now he's probably on his way out.

Lillard? No loss in my book. I've been dead set against the signing of him from day one. It was one of those typical Horst decisions that wasted talent and picks to satisfy his own belief that he's the best GM in the business. He isn't even decent. It's fortunate that Portis is in the fold. We need a bigger guy who can hit those 3s and keep defenses honest.

Keeping Trent was a wise move. He can play #2, solid defense, and has floor savvy. He's going to get lots of time out there and will perform well. But don't expect him to an all-out scorer like we usually see from a #2 which is usually labeled a "shooting guard." That's not his game. It would be a mistake working on changing it but who knows what will happen with Rivers running the show. I do like Kevin Porter, Jr. as our point guard this season. He plays both ends of the floor not just offense. He's going to be a consistent presence out there.

I'm anxious to see Micic out there. Some people say it was a waste trade for Connaughton and others say the guy has some promise as a backup to Porter. We'll see. Jury is out.

Taurean Prince. A fairly respectable piece of the bench in an emergency to eat minutes. He has his moments where he looks like he's got game. His biggest asset is he can play respectable defense.

Normally at this point in the season I have a good idea where things are headed but this year is a little different. I am not certain they gained or lost ground going into the season. We'll know more when we see how these guys work as a complete unit on the floor and how the substitutions work out as the season progresses.

I do know one thing for sure. If Giannis is out for any reason whatsoever this team isn't capable of winning more than 45 games and even that's a reach. They could end up under .500.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I like the Turner signing. He's a solid defender. We needed someone since Lopez was going to be gone. Rivers had decided a long time ago he was too slow even though it wasn't Lopez that was slow that was a problem it's the poor defense by Lillard for one. You couldn't expect Lopez to cover all their errors and still be a stopper in the paint. Turner will do a good job but he's about 30 years old himself so they aren't getting a spring chicken who can run the floor for 40 minutes a game without his legs giving out. They resigned Sims to be his backup. Jury out on that one to be honest.

Connaughton is gone. He was gone when Rivers took over. Rivers didn't like him for some reason and kept tinkering with his game and floor time. He really screwed Pat up to be honest. Rivers did the same thing to Kuzma. Kuz had a game that he was solid at, and Rivers wanted it all changed. Now he's probably on his way out.

Lillard? No loss in my book. I've been dead set against the signing of him from day one. It was one of those typical Horst decisions that wasted talent and picks to satisfy his own belief that he's the best GM in the business. He isn't even decent. It's fortunate that Portis is in the fold. We need a bigger guy who can hit those 3s and keep defenses honest.

Keeping Trent was a wise move. He can play #2, solid defense, and has floor savvy. He's going to get lots of time out there and will perform well. But don't expect him to an all-out scorer like we usually see from a #2 which is usually labeled a "shooting guard." That's not his game. It would be a mistake working on changing it but who knows what will happen with Rivers running the show. I do like Kevin Porter, Jr. as our point guard this season. He plays both ends of the floor not just offense. He's going to be a consistent presence out there.

I'm anxious to see Micic out there. Some people say it was a waste trade for Connaughton and others say the guy has some promise as a backup to Porter. We'll see. Jury is out.

Taurean Prince. A fairly respectable piece of the bench in an emergency to eat minutes. He has his moments where he looks like he's got game. His biggest asset is he can play respectable defense.

Normally at this point in the season I have a good idea where things are headed but this year is a little different. I am not certain they gained or lost ground going into the season. We'll know more when we see how these guys work as a complete unit on the floor and how the substitutions work out as the season progresses.

I do know one thing for sure. If Giannis is out for any reason whatsoever this team isn't capable of winning more than 45 games and even that's a reach. They could end up under .500.

Has Lopez been released?

 

[DoURant]

Has Lopez been released?

Lopez signed a contract with the Clippers

 

[Voyageur]

Lopez signed a contract with the Clippers

I got the impression that Brook couldn't wait to get away from Rivers. He got tired of being blindsided by the inability of Rivers to realize that his "star" point/shooting guard is supposed to play defense as well as score.

Watch for both Connaughton and Lopez to have solid seasons in their new digs. They deserve to show what they really have left in the tank not be blamed for coaching stupidity.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I got the impression that Brooks couldn't wait to get away from Rivers. He got tired of being blindsided by the inability of Rivers to realize that his "star" point/shooting guard is supposed to play defense as well as score.

Watch for both Connaughton and Lopez to have solid seasons in their new digs. They deserve to show what they really have left in the tank not be blamed for coaching stupidity.

Thanks to you and DoURant for the updates. I had no idea both Lopez and Connaughton were gone.

I liked Lopez. Connaughton was JAG based on what I saw. It will surely be a different team this October. Too bad the team is stuck with Rivers. Nothing against Doc personally. I just think there must be better candidates available. Then again, how many HCs can be on the Bucks' payroll at one time? Nevermind. Rhetorical question.........

I see the Bucks released Lillard. They owe him $22 mil/year for the next 5 years. Did I read that correctly?

Lori Nickel wrote a good article in the JS detailing Lillard's ill-fated two-year tenure with the Bucks. He dealt with a lot of stuff, from a divorce to blood clots in his calf to the achilles injury. He just never looked comfortable here. I do think he tried hard to work with Giannis, and vice versa. I do like Lillard. This was just a bad combination for him and the Bucks and the fans.

It's all pretty sad. And I blame Horst for trading away Holiday. That team may not have won another title, but the overall play would have been much better. Now Horst and (unfortunately) Rivers need to reimagine this team around Giannis. Should be interesting, but they need a young player to emerge as a strong complement to Giannis. That's a big ask.