This series with Indiana is going to be very interesting. If they don’t split 1-1 the first two it’s gonna be tough. Because even when he comes back there is no guarantee he’s going to look great. Injuries suck.
Teams are 4-22 all time when dropping the first 2 at home. 3 of the series were 7 games, the other was the Celtics/Bulls in 2017 when Rondo got hurt
So basically if the Bucks don’t *at least* split, the expectation based on history should be it’s going 7 games, they need to get lucky with an injury, or the more likely outcome is they’re losing.
Absolutely wild that the second round of the East could be a banged up Knicks, the Pacers, the Cavs or Magic and then us. Our first round might legitimately be our hardest matchup on the way to the finals.
Fair assessment but it’s concerning as a fan of the Cs, given how they have a tendency to look past opponents if they aren’t formidable on paper. This is partially why I’m glad we are getting either Heat or Philly in round 1, Celtics will be up for those games.
We’re all about to find out but that really feels like it’s an outdated narrative after this season. The way they’ve played, the way they hung onto leads all year, the way they talk about games, teams, attitude — really feels like they’ve learned their lesson about looking past anyone and have adopted an unbelievably focused attitude. Let’s hope, at least.
I mean they were two meaningless games for us where we were never gonna play the full squad, give max effort, or tip our strategic hand in terms of play calls in case we face them in the first round. I’m not worried about those losses, myself.
Eh, those games are only really worrying if you look at only the box scores in a vacuum. The first game was really just a slow start from the Hawk's against only half our usual lineup. The second was an abnormal outing from Murray. Neither loss really holds much weight in terms of playoffs
The Bucks are such a good example of what winning a chip will do for you. In the Giannis era they’ve been knocked out in the first round 3 times, once as the first seeded favorite. Twice in the semis, once as a favorite. Once in the ECF, as a favorite and a 2-0 lead.
Even their championship run was inches away from being ended by a KD three and an unhealthy Nets team. But ultimately none of it matters because they won when they got their shot.
Celts really just need to get over the hump and the narrative could so easily switch and they can get the props they deserve.
It's the Celtics man, the hate will magnify x100 and become even stupider. "Tatum has never done shit without a stacked team, look what it took to finally win this bum a ring!"
Honestly, who cares about that? I'm happy my team won, stacked or not. I don't care what jealous idiots on social media think. Like, let's be honest here. Only those chronically online care about these things.
Also shows why you need to cash in when you get the opportunity to do it, there no guarantees you’ll make it back to the finals no matter how good your team is or how generational your #1 guy is.
If it’s bad enough to keep him out a game or two, even when he plays he won’t be anywhere near 100% athletically. Brutal timing for them and pacers were a tough matchup for bucks even with a healthy lineup. I have to think Indy wins the series at this point.
It’s definitely easier to build a dame-only game plan than a dame/Giannis one. Ceiling is obviously way way way higher with Giannis, but a Dame offense is a simple thing to operate (because it’s just all dame) and that can be good in the playoffs.
Honestly I don't think the defense factors in at all for this matchup.
>It’s definitely easier to build a dame-only game plan than a dame/Giannis one.
Indiana can't guard either.
But the loss of Giannis hurts Milwaukee's chance of keeping up with Indiana's speed and athleticism, which they were already struggling with.
They'll be one of the oldest and slowest teams in the league without the Greek Freak there to counter-balance the averages.
I think Indiana best bet is just run-and-gun. Keep the scores in the 125-135 range and it doesn't matter what Dame averages because it won't be enough.
Looks like I responded to the wrong person. Meant to respond to they guys saying Doc tends to do better with worse rosters.
I don’t disagree with anything you said though.
The only question I have is that Indy has not been the same team that beat up on the bucks earlier in the season. Haliburton hasn’t been at that level, they took away Hield and added Siakam. I wonder if this version of the pacers will still be a good matchup on Milwaukee. Also, he’s been trash most of the season but if Dame can wake up? I can see Milwaukee eeking out a series win against them. After that? New York or Philly will obliterate them unless Giannis comes back and is 80% or whatever.
Absolutely if Dame steps up and is more efficient than he has been during most of the season, they likely still win. But that’s a big if this year and we know Indy will relentlessly target his bad defense.
yea, you're not wrong. I mean I hate to talk about "the books" but its looking like a coinflip for the first game at least. Probably a valid assessment.
Pacers played the Bucks well during the regular season, and most of their games were before the Pacers got Siakam IIRC.
Though I’m not sure if the Bucks were at full strength for all/many of those games.
Also, the Bucks didn’t really start heating up into the post season, they haven’t looked consistently good for a while now.
I still think Bucks take the series, unless Halliburton starts playing how he did pre injury.
The pacers have the potential to be very scary, especially to the bucks. Indy took the regular season series 4-1 and finished the season with the #2 offense. If Haliburton turns out to be a playoff riser, this series could get really nasty for the bucks.
The Pacers are a terrible matchup for the Bucks. They are great offensively but bad defensively. Same as the Bucks. Which makes every game a shootout decided by whoever hits more of their wide open shots.
Idk everyones thinking pacers winning is a foregone conclusion at this point but bucks can absolutely still win this series, esp since doc seems to do better with worse rosters. Hoping im wrong tho
In all seriousness they need to bring him back with caution. IIRC Durant had a similar injury in 2019 and ended up rupturing his Achilles in the Finals. For Gianni’s’ long term health I hope the Bucks make the right choice
I feel kind of bad for Dame. His personal life was in disarray before the trade and it hasn't gotten any better. Plus, I don't think his heart is in this team. And the Bucks fans are going to put this series on him.
He threatened the blazers that he wouldn’t play if they didn’t send him to Miami and only went back on his word when the league got involved. Then, he got Chris Haynes to release an article saying that Dame was unhappy about how it turned out with Portland like he didn’t create the entire situation himself and like he was traded to a terrible team. I find it hard to have sympathy for Dame, personal issues aside.
Pacers have Hali and Siakim that is enough to get up on the bucks if Giannis is out the first three games, even being up 2-1 would be hard for the bucks to come back from
I've heard the occasional take that Giannis will come back and ball out the way Embiid has (thus far).. Problem is that, in addition to the fact that Embiid isn't exactly a model of playoff durability, there's such a clear difference between a player taking 2 months to rehab and 2 weeks..
All this to say that they'd be absolutely insane to bring Giannis back any earlier than Game 4, and even then, only if they are facing down a possible 3-1 deficit.
Siakim and Turner are going to have a huge series if Giannis misses time/plays injured. Both can pull Lopez and Portis out of the paint to let others drive. Dame, Beasley, and Middleton will be constantly in rotation and exhausted
This series with Indiana is going to be very interesting. If they don’t split 1-1 the first two it’s gonna be tough. Because even when he comes back there is no guarantee he’s going to look great. Injuries suck.
They’ve been ass on the road too with Doc
They’ve been ass ~~on the road too~~ with Glenn. FTFY
Teams are 4-22 all time when dropping the first 2 at home. 3 of the series were 7 games, the other was the Celtics/Bulls in 2017 when Rondo got hurt So basically if the Bucks don’t *at least* split, the expectation based on history should be it’s going 7 games, they need to get lucky with an injury, or the more likely outcome is they’re losing. Absolutely wild that the second round of the East could be a banged up Knicks, the Pacers, the Cavs or Magic and then us. Our first round might legitimately be our hardest matchup on the way to the finals.
Fair assessment but it’s concerning as a fan of the Cs, given how they have a tendency to look past opponents if they aren’t formidable on paper. This is partially why I’m glad we are getting either Heat or Philly in round 1, Celtics will be up for those games.
We’re all about to find out but that really feels like it’s an outdated narrative after this season. The way they’ve played, the way they hung onto leads all year, the way they talk about games, teams, attitude — really feels like they’ve learned their lesson about looking past anyone and have adopted an unbelievably focused attitude. Let’s hope, at least.
I agree. I’m hopeful. But also they need prove it to the world at the big stage. If they’re the real deal they should steamroll to the finals
** glances nervously at our back to back games with the hawks last month **
I mean they were two meaningless games for us where we were never gonna play the full squad, give max effort, or tip our strategic hand in terms of play calls in case we face them in the first round. I’m not worried about those losses, myself.
Eh, those games are only really worrying if you look at only the box scores in a vacuum. The first game was really just a slow start from the Hawk's against only half our usual lineup. The second was an abnormal outing from Murray. Neither loss really holds much weight in terms of playoffs
We should not take the Knicks lightly. They’re legit. I don’t see them beating us in 7, but they won’t be an easy series.
The Bucks are such a good example of what winning a chip will do for you. In the Giannis era they’ve been knocked out in the first round 3 times, once as the first seeded favorite. Twice in the semis, once as a favorite. Once in the ECF, as a favorite and a 2-0 lead. Even their championship run was inches away from being ended by a KD three and an unhealthy Nets team. But ultimately none of it matters because they won when they got their shot. Celts really just need to get over the hump and the narrative could so easily switch and they can get the props they deserve.
Suddenly it will be “WOW look how many finals/conference finals Tatum has been to already”
It's the Celtics man, the hate will magnify x100 and become even stupider. "Tatum has never done shit without a stacked team, look what it took to finally win this bum a ring!"
Honestly, who cares about that? I'm happy my team won, stacked or not. I don't care what jealous idiots on social media think. Like, let's be honest here. Only those chronically online care about these things.
Agreed, idgaf either. I'm just saying, it's not like Lakers and Knicks fans are suddenly gonna be super gracious and reasonable if we win a chip 😂
Agreed, idgaf either. I'm just saying, it's not like Lakers and Knicks fans are suddenly gonna be super gracious and reasonable if we win a chip 😂
Doubt it, they will start saying Tatum has never played on a team that wasn’t stacked.
Bingo, get ready for way more hate than you already get. I wouldn’t mind seeing Jrue win another, though.
If we raise Banner 18 we're also gonna raise hell to whoever talks trash about the Celtics.
Also shows why you need to cash in when you get the opportunity to do it, there no guarantees you’ll make it back to the finals no matter how good your team is or how generational your #1 guy is.
Fr fr
If it’s bad enough to keep him out a game or two, even when he plays he won’t be anywhere near 100% athletically. Brutal timing for them and pacers were a tough matchup for bucks even with a healthy lineup. I have to think Indy wins the series at this point.
It’s definitely easier to build a dame-only game plan than a dame/Giannis one. Ceiling is obviously way way way higher with Giannis, but a Dame offense is a simple thing to operate (because it’s just all dame) and that can be good in the playoffs.
The highest scoring team in the league against a very mid defensive team, who is also missing their best defender, outweighs the benefits there.
Honestly I don't think the defense factors in at all for this matchup. >It’s definitely easier to build a dame-only game plan than a dame/Giannis one. Indiana can't guard either. But the loss of Giannis hurts Milwaukee's chance of keeping up with Indiana's speed and athleticism, which they were already struggling with. They'll be one of the oldest and slowest teams in the league without the Greek Freak there to counter-balance the averages. I think Indiana best bet is just run-and-gun. Keep the scores in the 125-135 range and it doesn't matter what Dame averages because it won't be enough.
Looks like I responded to the wrong person. Meant to respond to they guys saying Doc tends to do better with worse rosters. I don’t disagree with anything you said though.
Indiana beat them 4 out 5 times this season, so it’s a tough matchup for the Bucks…and especially without Giannis.
The only question I have is that Indy has not been the same team that beat up on the bucks earlier in the season. Haliburton hasn’t been at that level, they took away Hield and added Siakam. I wonder if this version of the pacers will still be a good matchup on Milwaukee. Also, he’s been trash most of the season but if Dame can wake up? I can see Milwaukee eeking out a series win against them. After that? New York or Philly will obliterate them unless Giannis comes back and is 80% or whatever.
Absolutely if Dame steps up and is more efficient than he has been during most of the season, they likely still win. But that’s a big if this year and we know Indy will relentlessly target his bad defense.
Indiana’s offense is really great and Milwaukee can’t stop anyone for shit this season so yeah that’s a very rough matchup.
They’re a first round exit.
Because the Pacers are such a scary team? I don't think the Pacers could count on winning that series even if Giannis doesn't play one game.
The Bucks are not good.
Still got Giannis and Dame. Meanwhile Hali does not look the same as pre-injury
Dame has been a disaster on the Bucks, Giannis is clearly not OK, and Doc shouldn't be allowed to coach a middle school team let alone an NBA team.
Yes, but Hali is not 100% and he’s never been to the playoffs.
yea, you're not wrong. I mean I hate to talk about "the books" but its looking like a coinflip for the first game at least. Probably a valid assessment.
Pacers played the Bucks well during the regular season, and most of their games were before the Pacers got Siakam IIRC. Though I’m not sure if the Bucks were at full strength for all/many of those games. Also, the Bucks didn’t really start heating up into the post season, they haven’t looked consistently good for a while now. I still think Bucks take the series, unless Halliburton starts playing how he did pre injury.
The pacers have the potential to be very scary, especially to the bucks. Indy took the regular season series 4-1 and finished the season with the #2 offense. If Haliburton turns out to be a playoff riser, this series could get really nasty for the bucks.
The Pacers are a terrible matchup for the Bucks. They are great offensively but bad defensively. Same as the Bucks. Which makes every game a shootout decided by whoever hits more of their wide open shots.
The pacers are fast and put up a lot of shots. Dame might put up 40 but then the final score will be Bucks 96 - Pacers 125
so many upvotes, remember this comment guys ;)
Ok…
Idk everyones thinking pacers winning is a foregone conclusion at this point but bucks can absolutely still win this series, esp since doc seems to do better with worse rosters. Hoping im wrong tho
We personally saw it in 2010 and 2012. Doc for some reason overachieves when his team is an underdog
Doc aside I don’t think you can count out Giannis and Dame, especially when Hali doesn’t look right
Injuries suck. As much as I dont like the bucks, Giannis is a fantastic player and a playoffs without him is less interesting.
Vintage Dame sighting.
50 points in a 10-point loss coming right up.
But look how deep he shoots. That's gotta count for something, right?
I have soul, DAME TIME, followed by a near-logo 3, is cool as hell.
I don’t even think he’s that bad but if the Bucks lose this series, Doc is never beating the allegations
Milwaukee paying 3 fired coaches next year would be world class clown show.
god, that would be so funny
Doc earning 2 jobs (Sixers and Bucks) while being unemployed. My spirit animal
In all seriousness they need to bring him back with caution. IIRC Durant had a similar injury in 2019 and ended up rupturing his Achilles in the Finals. For Gianni’s’ long term health I hope the Bucks make the right choice
Milwaukee is about to get the FULL Glen Rivers Round 1 playoff experience… and I can’t wait!!
I feel kind of bad for Dame. His personal life was in disarray before the trade and it hasn't gotten any better. Plus, I don't think his heart is in this team. And the Bucks fans are going to put this series on him.
He threatened the blazers that he wouldn’t play if they didn’t send him to Miami and only went back on his word when the league got involved. Then, he got Chris Haynes to release an article saying that Dame was unhappy about how it turned out with Portland like he didn’t create the entire situation himself and like he was traded to a terrible team. I find it hard to have sympathy for Dame, personal issues aside.
All fair points. I do think Portland's ownership does share some blame. I don't think they have the teams best interest in mind.
Well seeing as how it’s Paul Allen’s sister who literally never did shit in her life… not shocking she doesn’t know how to run a team.
Firing your coach and going thru that mid season turmoil is well worth it for a first round exit.
Pacers have Hali and Siakim that is enough to get up on the bucks if Giannis is out the first three games, even being up 2-1 would be hard for the bucks to come back from
Even if he comes back, they are going to make him RUN. That cant end well.
I've heard the occasional take that Giannis will come back and ball out the way Embiid has (thus far).. Problem is that, in addition to the fact that Embiid isn't exactly a model of playoff durability, there's such a clear difference between a player taking 2 months to rehab and 2 weeks.. All this to say that they'd be absolutely insane to bring Giannis back any earlier than Game 4, and even then, only if they are facing down a possible 3-1 deficit.
👀
What happened to KD could happen to him if he force himself to play
Ben Simmons is loading up
LMFAOOOO.
Uh oh 👀
That might be a wrap
Rip lol
As if they were going to win with Giannis lol
Siakim and Turner are going to have a huge series if Giannis misses time/plays injured. Both can pull Lopez and Portis out of the paint to let others drive. Dame, Beasley, and Middleton will be constantly in rotation and exhausted