The job isn’t done yet for the Bucks, who reached the NBA Finals this weekend for the first time since 1974, Eric Nehm of The Athletic writes.
Milwaukee swept Miami in the first round, defeated Brooklyn 4-3 in the second round and most recently beat Atlanta 4-2, but the team remains four wins away from achieving its goal: winning the NBA title.
“As a head coach, I feel fortunate to have been through this experience and kind of have seen it from a different seat (as an assistant with San Antonio), but now to do it as a head coach is special,” Mike Budenholzer said of making the Finals for the first time as a head coach.
“But it’s the players that do it. I love our group. I love coaching them. I’m happy for them. When I take a second tonight, when we take a second tonight, it’s really just joy and happiness for your players; that they put the work in, the time to get to this place, and just be happy for them.”
There’s more from the Eastern Conference tonight:
- The Jrue Holiday gamble yielded a jackpot for the Bucks, Sopan Deb of the New York Times writes. Holiday poured in 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in the team’s series-clinching victory on Saturday, making a strong impact in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee). The Bucks had to pay a steep price to acquire the 31-year-old last November: Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, two first-round picks, first-round swap rights in two years, and the draft rights to R.J. Hampton. To this point, it’s paid off.
- ESPN’s Bobby Marks previews the Bulls‘ offseason, which is set to include important decisions related to Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and others. “We place expectations on our team about winning games,” executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said. “We are certainly not satisfied. But we will learn from it, adjust and make sure what did not go well does not happen again. We will continue being aggressive in our efforts to make this team better, whether that’s through trades, free agency or the draft.”
- Hawks second-year guard Cam Reddish will play for the team during summer league next month, Sarah Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets. Reddish missed most of the 2020/21 season due to injury, but the 21-year-old did finish with 21 points, three rebounds and three assists in the team’s Game 6 loss.
I can’t see Cam playin more than a game or 2 at the summer league. Definitely hype to see him, Nathan Knight, Okongwu & Skylar Mays for as many games as they do play tho
If that dude’s gonna become a shooter…he’s gonna be a PROBLEM.
I don’t think he will become elite, but just a 35 pct shooter from 3 would make him a potential borderline All-Star.
Not sure if I’d give Collins the max he’s asking for…as your only options are to either give it to him or…not, it’s not like you can spend it somewhere else, but a lineup with Reddish playing the 4 for stretches could be dynamic.
Trae/Bogdan/Hunter/Reddish/Capella…it may be small, but dynamic.
People are sleeping on the Hawks moving forward. Both teams went into the series without their SG’s, both teams lost their Superstars.
Cam is much more of a 2 than a 4. Dre Hunter is bigger than him & would play the 4 in that small lineup. As far as John he’ll most likely be back just bc it’s rare to acquire a legit 4 that can get an efficient 20/10 consistently while also stretching the floor for Trae & our other guards. If we do let John go we’ll definitely be getting assets in return from whatever team he goes to tho.
Well…I don’t agree with you on Hunter and Reddish and how they fit, but..whatever.
Collins is probably worth the max…4/135, whatever it ends up being…but with Trae possibly being in line for a Supermax in another year, Hunter, Reddish, if they develop…I don’t know how willing the Hawks FO is to spend, but you’re paying a lot of REALLY good players max money…but right now the Hawks at least have the players to make a trade and make a significant upgrade. A Dame Lillard type trade(for example…for obv reasons, he’d be an awful fit).
But a guy like Brown…OR Shai from OKC. A guy who’s on the verge of becoming a legit superstar…the Hawks could probably swing that if those guys get off to big starts next year. Hawks still have a ton of options on how to improve their roster and are young enough to package a couple for a big upgrade(though…Boston won’t be one of those teams trading with you, but OKC certainly could be).
Who on MIL will the media annoint for attention?
Holiday or Middleton? Prob not Lopez.
Which guy will miserable casuals chose to hate on? Probably not Connaughton or Lopez
Definitely the worst thing about Social Media and the NBA right now.
Can’t talk about LeBron’s greatness without taking a shot at MJ or vice versa.
Constant bickering over who’s “Batman,” especially with the Bucks(which is silly, it’s Giannis).
Middleton struggles…WITH an elite young athlete in Reddish on him at times and he’s a scrub, then he hits and he’s…well, Batman.
It’s annoying.
Lopez will be need to be big if the Bucks are going to win it all.
He’s gonna have to be real big. He’ll have to try and negate Ayton as much as possible. Ayton is a stud. Jrue needs to pressure the ball and Lopez needs to put a body on Ayton all series long. Wear him out with the extra 60 pounds he has on him.
Plus…we have NO CLUE what Giannis will look like. If he’s back at 100 pct…somehow, Ayton is still a threat, and he, along with Crowder/Bridges will spend a lot of energy on slowing him down…thereby leaving Lopez open for some corner 3’s or to dive to the basket. Giannis needs to facilitate…but do so from the low block, not after committing to a spin or running into the wall. Lopez can help here.
Just crazy to even THINK about Giannis coming back after that ugly-ugly injury. That’s a blown out knee and 9 months of rehab for almost any other player in the NBA. That man is an Alien.
If GSW do that trade prospal that Bleacher Report posted that LaVine himself kinda replied to on twitter, its 100% OVER for the league.
It basically was an Oubre sign and trade and all the picks and a ton of future picks, but damn, they could just do this one move and be terrifying next season.
Giannis or CP3 better win a Championship. East or West could be at full strength next year.
Or ya know the Bucks could be at full strength and repeat.
Whaaa? You mean missing one of the leagues elite perimeter defenders and a guy who’s rock solid in big games, is 2nd best in the league at getting loose balls and still an ascending player, you think that hurt the Bucks?
Donte coming back next season and this team having played together for a year should make this team very competitive again next year.
And now, after trading for PJ, they’ve actually got a way to improve their team. Either re-sign him with his Bird rights, OR they could use him in a sign and trade. It will hurt losing Portis and Forbes, but…that’s life.
Bucks also need to swing for the fences in this draft. Josh Primo could be available atop the 2nd round. Superstar potential(so he likely won’t be)…but the Bucks are back, Bud has actually been more willing to make adjustments as his players have pointed out and it’s VERY common for legit Superstars like Giannis to take a jump AFTER winning a title because they’re no longer playing with that pressure on them.
Of course Giannis could just scrap this new jumper he has, go back to the sweet stroke he had as a rookie and become the best player in the league, but even with that janky stroke, he’s still one of the 3-4 most valuable players and he’s still just 26.
Marty, Oubre wouldn’t even be allowed to sniff Zachs jock, let alone the Bulls trading him for Oubre and a bunch of trash 1’s. Gtfoh. Seriously tho, get out.
Hawks should go after Zach. Knicks can take Gallinari as third team. Hawks can give up best offer imo. Come home Gallo.
We got Cam Reddish, Bogdan Bogdanovic & Kevin Huerter at 2guard, we definitely don’t need Zach Lavine. I’d def be interested in a Gallo for Obi type deal tho
You mean Hunter? Reddish is closer to a PF in this NBA than a SG.
Though…Zach LaVine would make ATL REAL scary. Especially if he is motivated and playing D. Big upgrade over those players(but you also don’t have to give those players up).
Idk how you figure Cam is a 4. He’s literally never played the 4 as a pro. He was our starting 2guard this season until he got hurt. And no smh I don’t mean Hunter. Kevin Huerter, Cam & Bogdan all play as guards. They all are big enough & versatile enough to play the 3 as well but all of those guys most natural position is at 2guard
I said he’s CLOSER to a 4 than a 2. Also…LITERALLY never having done something when he actually JUST did it(he was playing the 4 this past series when they had Trae, Bogdan, Huerter and Capella on the court along with Reddish. So what would you say he played there?
Also…Cam’s 21 and has started 55 games in his NBA career. So having “literally never done something,” is…with respect, LITERALLY meaningless to me.
Hunter’s natural position is the 3…so just assumed you were talking about him as opposed to Reddish who’s natural position is DEFINITELY not the 2.
But yeah, I think he could easily play a 4 in a small ball lineup.
He’s 6’8, he’s thick(Bogdan is listed at 220 and he’s listed at 218…and there’s no WAY that’s true…he’s got 20 pounds on Bogdan).
I guess I’m not sure why you’re taking this as an insult. You see Reddish’ frame, his feet and how quick he is, his explosiveness…and at 6’8 and I’d guess 230 right now, that’s hardly small for a PF.
I’m guessing you’ll just keep Collins, but I’d also be surprised if you DON’T go small with Reddish playing the 4 fairly often next year. He’s the most physical defender and would be a mismatch on offense…as long as he can work on his handles.
All those can play the 2. But are what they call wings. Cause none of them can guard real 2s. Like not one of them could handle Zach. A real 2 with size. Hawks have depth. But in playoffs all the guys you mentioned can be handled. Zach demands doubles and that’s what you need to win in playoffs.
Let’s see here ….. now. Real Stats playoffs
Bogdanovic — 18 gms, 14 pts,
Collins — 18 gms, 14 pts
Huerter — 18 gms, 11 pts
Hunter — 5 gms, 11 pts
Reddish — 4 gms, 12.8 pts .
That’s a scary scoring tandem. Almost as scary as Casper ……
Zach would posterized atleast 3 players and avg 26 a gm. He would take all pressure off Tre and others. Therefore they would get easier looks. That’s what real talent does. So wake before time passes Hawks by. Ask CP3 about that.
LOL thinking Zach Lavine is getting traded.
Bridges is going to be big against Milwaukee for Phoenix. He has the ability to slow down Giannis and if he can’t go he definitely can guard Middleton. I think Phoenix in 6 if Giannis plays, maybe a sweep if he can’t.
Bridges is very nice player. He’ll definitely help to slow down Middleton…but Midds is used to taking tough contested shots.
They’re not a great rebounding team outside of Ayton. When they’ve got Paul/Book/Bridges/Crowder/Ayton on the Floor, the Bucks will have a BIG size advantage if Giannis is out there…and I’d be shocked if he isn’t at this point. He was arguing with the Bucks GM trying to play game 6 and they were gonna let him go Gm7 if needed.
I might sit him Gm1 even, but…if there’s no damage and it looks like there’s no swelling(at least anymore)…I don’t know.
I like the Bucks, but I know the Suns’ll be tough. I’ll be curious to see if the Bucks go with more PJ Tucker or Patty C. Missing DiVincenzo REALLY hurts them again in this matchup.
If it’s anything like the regular season, the games will be exciting.
Yea Dante being out definitely hurts the Bucks. He is a bigger part of their lineup than most realize.
Personally I’m glad he isn’t playing because it’d hurt me to have to watch however many games this goes of Villanova on Villanova crime with him and Bridges.
Of Hart, Mikal, Brunson, Saddiq, JRE or DDV which former Nova great will have the best NBA career
How dare you leave out Archie and Paschall.
I think it’s Mikal with Saddiq in 2nd. Both can be starters on really great teams as we’ve seen with Mikal already. I think Saddiq definitely can get there. The other guys are really high quality first or 2nd guy off the bench guys though. I think DDV is a close 3rd to Saddiq. Either way, you’re happy to have any of these guys on your team. As I’ve said before on here, these Nova boys all play really really smart basketball, and give 110% all the time. Talent wise I don’t think they are the best, but you win titles with guys like them being on your team.
Yeah…I think the Bucks MIGHT be a little better with Bogdan this year…but I’m actually happy that trade didn’t go through.
I think he’s gotta chance to be a poor mans Manu. He’s got the 2nd best loose ball pct in the NBA, he’s a really dynamic athlete who plays above the rim(which is weird to see from a 6’4 white guy!) and he runs the point when Jrue takes a seat.
He won’t be Manu(obviously)…but he could become a guy who makes a PJ Tucker type impact on defense…while also being a very nice offensive player who can do a little bit of everything.
Some of the things I love about the internet are the ridiculous trade ideas and endless overhyping. Bucks and Suns are two teams that won’t sniff the finals again unless 4/5 freak accidents happen…again. Neither of these teams could beat a healthy Brooklyn Lakers, Clippers, or Warriors. Bucks have a better chance because all the Brooklyn stats are known to be injury prone.
The #1 main thing you love about the internet is the ability to savagely & anonymously hate on NBA athletes, that’s very obvious. If hating on great basketball players was an Olympic sport you’d have multiple gold medals for multiple usernames smh. Why are you so salty? Is it jealousy?
Multiple user names? Lol. I use the same Name everywhere on the internet. i also don’t hate on athletes. You are constantly on here ball washing mediocre players. You clearly have no idea about basketball.
You are obviously a Coastal Conceit who thinks no team in flyover country is any good. You are ball washing them, so to speak. If the Bucks are so challenged, how did they have the best record in the NBA in 18-19 and 19-20. The Nets have 3 superstars (the NBA salary “cap” is a joke), the Lakers and Clippers two, and the Warriors are not even elite anymore. None of those teams made it to the Finals. You talk about injuries. Giannis missed the last two games and they still advanced. So using the injury excuse/freak accident argument is mute. You have superstar visions but the reality is that teams that work together on the floor and play unselfishly are better than those with multiple superstars fighting over the ball while keeping the other players on the floor out of the offense. With no injuries on either team, the Bucks can beat the Lakers, Warriors, Sixers, Celtics, Clippers and Nets. They already have.
Yeah, it’s just called ignorance…with a healthy amount of arrogance.
To think the Bucks can’t beat the Lakers? Please. Their soon to be 37 year old Superstar who’s been injured 2 of the past 3 years and their other superstar who is constantly injury prone…who we match up PERFECTLY with.
AD’s gonna produce, but Giannis, Lopez, now Tucker…not many teams can defend those two. Meanwhile…Middleton and Jrue will absolutely dominate them and of course everyone forgets the Bucks were without one of the BEST defensive backcourt players in the NBA. A SG version of PJ Tucker in Donte DiVincenzo who’s also generally run the point when Jrue goes to the bench. A young dynamic player who’s played in the biggest stages in College and was Final Four MVP putting up 33 in the Championship and seems unfazed by the pressure.
And he’ll laugh at that…which is cool. These clowns can keep sleeping on the Bucks. The fact of the matter is once a Superstar gets his FIRST ring…always the toughest, they almost always take a big jump after that. Giannis gets one, now the pressure just melts off him, he’s 26 years old and as Barkley and Kenny Smith said, he and Westbrook player harder than any players they’ve ever seen. And he’s durable. That knee injury would have ended Anthony Davis’ career.
KD is going to be 33, Harden is going to be Harden(meaning likely choke in the playoffs as he’s known to do)…Kyrie maye decide to quit on his team as he did 3 times this past year to go and investigate the Flat Earth theory.
I’ll also add the Hawks into this. People want to act like they were some fluke. If they’re willing to spend, they’ll have Cam Reddish…who looks like a budding young star, DeAndre Hunter who’s ANOTHER 6’8 wing who can defend and shoot the ball, Bogdan, JOHN COLLINS who…IMO is worthy of a Max deal, Clint Capella, Dano…just a deep and talented roster and of course Trae.
The Warriors…LOL…COME ON!!! Klay started his last season at age 28. He’ll be almost 32 by the time he returns to the court. He’s suffered an Achilles and a ACL. Hope he comes back. Betting on it would be silly. Steph’s fantastic. A dynamo…the greatest combo guard in NBA history(tough to really put him in a spot since he’s not really a distributor).
But now THEY’RE better? Klay…despite that ENORMOUS layoff and two MAJOR injuries is going to make them go from a team that missed the playoffs to a Title contender again?
The Sixers? I PRAY they make that deal and trade Simmons to Portland for CJ.
This team wins the title and everything gets easier for them shooting the next year. They play free, loose, not pulling the string.
But…they don’t have 3 guys who score while playing no defense who are injury prone, we have FOUR All-Stars who are two way players and a 5th guy who has been to the Bucks what Manu was to the Spurs and just KEEPS getting better.
But sure…keep sleeping on them. Please. Keep sleeping on the Hawks.
Keep sleeping on the Suns with a legit big who can run the floor, a young wing in Bridges who can shoot 40 from deep, the “mini-mamba,” Chris Paul…for a couple more years, but probably Payne taking over after that.
Alright…my post was TLTR.
This is the type of guy who thought when the Lakers had Karl Malone, Gary Payton, prime Kobe, prime Shaq, Horace Grant, Derek Fischer, Bryon Russell…probably the 3rd best player on those Jazz teams that PUSHED Jordan’s Bulls in their last two title runs because of his defensive ability.
What happened? They went out and the Pistons…not one Superstar, they dog walked them to a Gentlemens sweep.
These casuals can’t tell when players are starting to get old, starting to break down, and they always think a player has several more years than they do.
Now are the Suns, Bucks and and Hawks going to be back in the Conf. finals…maybe, maybe not, but the “logic” here is…ridiculous.
And if Giannis goes back to the shooting stroke he came into the league with(the Bucks have recently brought back his OLD shooting coach)…then forget about it. That’s a wrap. That kid was a 42 pct 3 point shooter the last half of his rookie year and he had a beautiful, pure stroke.
But even with the Janky one he has now, he’s still the best two way big in the league, Jrue’s THE best two way PG, Middleton’s one of the most underrated defensively. They’ll be just fine proving this clown right.
You two literally wrote novels off one simple comment. Which is rather accurate. The Bucks BARELY got past the Nets with KD and a gump Harden. They don’t stand a chance with a
Irving. No NBA team does in fact. And I’m not elite anything just a realist. I’m a Houston fan but never thought these dudes were going to win a title since the last one. They got pretty close that 1 year with Paul.
Bottom line, I don’t put on rose colored glasses. Even for my own team.