Voyageur
Cheesehead
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2021
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There have been rumors circulating that from the start, Giannis did not want Lillard on the same team as him. I think the story could be true, because there obviously wasn't any attempt by Giannis to create a bond between them on or off the floor. As for Lillard, he didn't want to be a Buck anyway and that was obvious.
Now, my opinion, and it fits with the narrative I've been expressing since the day they traded for Lillard, it was possibly the worst mistake the Bucks organization has ever made. They tore down a winning formula team simply because a GM decided he knew more about the game and the players themselves than even the coaches understood. It was totally wrong.
Of course, we all know the results of that trade. But I think it goes deeper. I think from the moment it happened, Giannis was considering it a priority on his part to gain total financial control of the entire scenario and then find a way to get the Bucks to trade him to a team that would "give him respect" like I believe he thought they owned him. In essence, it wasn't really respect, it was he wanted them giving him control over who surrounded him on the court. Because of it, he was working on an exit strategy and really wanted it to happen sooner than it did. But therein was another problem. Horst. His ego is as big as Giannis' and that means neither of them would ever see eye to eye again. They would be adversaries.
Even the changes of coaches was almost a slap in the face to Giannis. Bud had proven he could win. Yes, he had faults, but a succession of two coaches who totally destroyed the unity on the team, and refused to listen to anyone else, or even keep a coach who could work with Lillard was irresponsible. Terry Stotts being fired like he was added to the misery. Terry had gotten through to Lillard and Giannis, and was trying to put them together as a unit playing together. But, to Adrian Griffin, probably the worst HC we ever had, his little "meetings" where he would dictate exactly what he wanted the coaches to do was more important than the work Terry was doing creating the bond between the super stars. Terry saw the rift and knew he could handle it, because both stars liked him and would work with and for him to benefit the team. So, once again, and ego got in the way. Griffin's ego.
Now we're in a rebuild mode. There are some good pieces on the board. As I've indicated, I think they're quite a bit better than the 24 to 25 wins being projected for them. A .500 club? I don't think so, but there are players on this roster who could all of a sudden find themselves in the super star category because they've got an opportunity to prove it. Right now, trading both Kuzma and Turner isn't a bad idea. It might cost them a couple of games in the win column but at the same time that could be reversed because we do have Sims & Ware who could both step up and be solid replacements. They're untested but what I saw of Sims this past season, he could step up for more time. Ware, from all I've seen and heard, could make a major step forward this year and be one of the better centers in the entire league. Then there's Markovich, Nance, and rookie Ament, all of whom could step up as the third man and still play as a #4. Guards? I've never seen so many solid ones. Add to it, Burries looks like he's already a starter based on his summer league play. He's really good. I watched all his games, and the guy plays with the savvy of a 3-to-4-year vet whose role is growing. He has a high ceiling, and we'll be seeing it play out early in the season. The Bucks need to make some trades from this group. To be honest, Herro would give us a good 1st round pick and some instant talent as well. The Bucks will end up trimming at least 3 or 4 solid guards during preseason, or trading them.
As for the guys at #3 & #4. there's a lot of them, and I'd give a little ground to get some solid additional picks for the next couple of years.
Doing it right this preseason to gain picks could lead to the Bucks being a contender in the 28-29 season. It's all about stocking the shelves with talent and adding cap room, so you can absorb contracts that will expire, helping other teams today but getting draft capital for the future in return.
We could be back at the top in 3 years. If Horst doesn't let his ego get the best of him again.
Now, my opinion, and it fits with the narrative I've been expressing since the day they traded for Lillard, it was possibly the worst mistake the Bucks organization has ever made. They tore down a winning formula team simply because a GM decided he knew more about the game and the players themselves than even the coaches understood. It was totally wrong.
Of course, we all know the results of that trade. But I think it goes deeper. I think from the moment it happened, Giannis was considering it a priority on his part to gain total financial control of the entire scenario and then find a way to get the Bucks to trade him to a team that would "give him respect" like I believe he thought they owned him. In essence, it wasn't really respect, it was he wanted them giving him control over who surrounded him on the court. Because of it, he was working on an exit strategy and really wanted it to happen sooner than it did. But therein was another problem. Horst. His ego is as big as Giannis' and that means neither of them would ever see eye to eye again. They would be adversaries.
Even the changes of coaches was almost a slap in the face to Giannis. Bud had proven he could win. Yes, he had faults, but a succession of two coaches who totally destroyed the unity on the team, and refused to listen to anyone else, or even keep a coach who could work with Lillard was irresponsible. Terry Stotts being fired like he was added to the misery. Terry had gotten through to Lillard and Giannis, and was trying to put them together as a unit playing together. But, to Adrian Griffin, probably the worst HC we ever had, his little "meetings" where he would dictate exactly what he wanted the coaches to do was more important than the work Terry was doing creating the bond between the super stars. Terry saw the rift and knew he could handle it, because both stars liked him and would work with and for him to benefit the team. So, once again, and ego got in the way. Griffin's ego.
Now we're in a rebuild mode. There are some good pieces on the board. As I've indicated, I think they're quite a bit better than the 24 to 25 wins being projected for them. A .500 club? I don't think so, but there are players on this roster who could all of a sudden find themselves in the super star category because they've got an opportunity to prove it. Right now, trading both Kuzma and Turner isn't a bad idea. It might cost them a couple of games in the win column but at the same time that could be reversed because we do have Sims & Ware who could both step up and be solid replacements. They're untested but what I saw of Sims this past season, he could step up for more time. Ware, from all I've seen and heard, could make a major step forward this year and be one of the better centers in the entire league. Then there's Markovich, Nance, and rookie Ament, all of whom could step up as the third man and still play as a #4. Guards? I've never seen so many solid ones. Add to it, Burries looks like he's already a starter based on his summer league play. He's really good. I watched all his games, and the guy plays with the savvy of a 3-to-4-year vet whose role is growing. He has a high ceiling, and we'll be seeing it play out early in the season. The Bucks need to make some trades from this group. To be honest, Herro would give us a good 1st round pick and some instant talent as well. The Bucks will end up trimming at least 3 or 4 solid guards during preseason, or trading them.
As for the guys at #3 & #4. there's a lot of them, and I'd give a little ground to get some solid additional picks for the next couple of years.
Doing it right this preseason to gain picks could lead to the Bucks being a contender in the 28-29 season. It's all about stocking the shelves with talent and adding cap room, so you can absorb contracts that will expire, helping other teams today but getting draft capital for the future in return.
We could be back at the top in 3 years. If Horst doesn't let his ego get the best of him again.
