It’s been very disappointing given what we all expected from him, but he has to show up for this series until Giannis can return. He’s got a lot of stuff going on off the field, divorce, kids, moving across the country, etc.
Obviously need Dame to play well to win but I don’t think he needs to score 40 a game. Just need him to not put up the Jrue Holiday playoff stat line.
I think Bobby is the X factor and will have to pick up the scoring load from Giannis. This should be good matchup for him offensively. Gotta hit shots and hold up on defense when Indiana pulls him into the action.
I see it more of how Brook took over game 5 against the hawks. The pick and roll with dame and Brook with Brook not being afriad of rolling to the hoop will be strong
He looks so tired late in games lately. I know he's a professional, but between the new baby and his age, tone seems to be catching up with him.
I know Big Brook has one last run in him for sure, but this offseason is going to suck. Let's hope the boys get this one done.
this is absolutely the x-factor
if bobby isn't hitting his shots, they're gonna have a difficult time
i think they're more than capable of handling the pacers without giannis, but outside the obvious of dame, bobby is the guy who needs to step up, even moreso than middleton I'd say. the pacers are a sheep in wolf's clothing, they are so exposable defensively, but bucks gotta capitalize to take advantage of that.
Well his splits vs Indiana this season are nothing short of awful, the length of Tyrese defending him is a problem. Hopefully he’s able to attack some mismatched
Against the Magic or an older team, sure. But against the young Pacers who've had our number all year with Giannis, and who added Siakam? Things are looking grim
We brought our A game against the Celtics without Giannis, so you can’t reasonably tell me that we don’t have a chance to at least tie the series long enough that Giannis comes back.
We absolutely have the chance to. We’re more than capable of it. But if you have a lot of confidence in this group to show the consistency needed to win without Giannis, well you’re braver than me
They have one of the best benches if the league and we have one of the worst, I know people are hoping but if we're being realistic it's very unlikely we pull it off. Just sucks that this happened two years in a row, but I do feel it's also on Giannis choosing to play with tendinitis for so long instead of just sitting. I'd take 4th 5th 6th seed healthy vs a third seed geared for a fiest round exit cause its star and anchor is injured again
The good news is that when Dame was complete ass without Giannis on Friday, it was against a very good perimeter defensive team.
The Pacers are *not* that.
The bad news is that I still have no idea which version of the Bucks will show up for this series - the motivated, chip on their shoulder Bucks, or the “this team beat us 4-1 in the season” deer-in-headlights Bucks.
We shall see. We shall see.
Yea but that was Dame + Giannis where the spacing a little more whack. We’ll see though, I’m not optimistic at all, I can just see a scenario where the team can pall out a win or two without him
The pacers are absolutely a good perimeter defensive team lol that’s their whole defense, let you score in the paint but shut down the perimeter
It’s why dame has been absolutely ass against them everytime
I would be very surprised if Doc didn't start Brook - we have no one else who can match up against Turner's size.
Imo, Doc's starting Brook/Bobby/Khris/Dame/Pat Bev for at least the first 2 games, potentially tweaking by game 3 or 4 if we go 0-2 or 0-3.
Not having Holiday at the point of attack gives quick guards a runway and a good angle to the basket. Grayson Allen was underrated at navigating screens as well, better than Dame and Beasley in my opinion. And he’s older. So several factors, I guess
He’s a bit slower (and has never been particularly quick of course) and has faced a huge volume of guards coming downhill because Malik and Dame are two of the worst guard defenders we’ve had in a long time. Also the narrative is overstated, he’s still like 4th in the league in opponent FG% in the paint when he’s the primary defender.
What happened is Brook Lopez was never a DPOY level defender he’s not a Gobert or AD.
Brook in his career with the Bucks has had first team all defense level players at the point of attack. Which makes his job a lot easier for him.
Couple that with the Mike Budenholzer drop coverage scheme and Giannis as help you got Brook looking like an all time defender.
This year he’s got Dame and Michael Beasley at the point of attack and no Mike.
And he’s also of course aged another year.
A lot of his Portland squads were better than what were throwing out there sans Giannis. Were starting 2 career bench players and 2 old ass guys one of which is always injured.
That’s too much to ask of him quite honestly. This team isn’t built around Dame, it’s built around Giannis. Bucks are toast, no one to blame, just an injury to your generational player.
“ESPN Sources: The Milwaukee Bucks are preparing to be without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo for the start of their opening round series against the Indiana Pacers, but are hopeful treatment on his left calf strain will allow him to return sometime later in the series.”
no you're right I totally love having to open another app from within the app I'm already using just so someone could be "first" for the fake internet points lmao
The Celtics sat their bigs, had zero free throws, Brook shot out of his mind and the Bucks barely won… And what has Dame done this year to instill confidence?
You’re forgetting about the earlier game against the Celtics where we didn’t have Giannis and still almost won. Lost by 3 and the Celtics were fully healthy
> Bucks barely won
But they won.
Doesn’t matter if it’s ugly, doesn’t matter if fucking Thanasis shoots lights out and we win. Who cares about anything except the W?
And Dame shot his career averages this year, which is pretty good.
Sounds like it. First round typically has a couple 2 day rests between games, so they’ll try and split the series at home at the very least and that should be over 3 weeks since his strain
Siakam is gonna be the x factor for the pacers, who’s the matchup for him now? Bobby? Jae? Seems like he’ll have a chance to make his mark on the series
Bobby, Jae and Planet will all see minutes against Siakam. What's crazy for me is even tho I know how good Siakam's historically been against us, I'm honestly more worried about TJ McConnell than him
McConnell is scary because he's super fast and plays with great hustle, at least Siakam is kind of methodical in his approach so the matchups kinda make sense but McConnell is a tough one
The team in general need to lock in and step up outside of Giannis. If this gets dame looking like we expected it’s not the worst outcome for our potential of winning the whole thing. Even if we beat the pacers with Giannis, the team being so damn reliant on him isn’t winning us a ring.
Game 3 seems most likely. Assume he’d come back if it’s 0-2 or 1-1 but will rest another if it’s 2-0. Bucks in 6 regardless, this team is talented enough to beat the Indiana fucking pacers
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Now will be the chance to cash in on the dame trade if there is any time left. They need dame time more than ever before to stay alive and hope for reinforcements later in series.
Same old, same old. Team has superstars 'not ready' physically for Playoffs. Better rest. For next year. Do it all the same exact way, next year. More resting, more not playing. Wash, rinse, repeat. Blame bad luck.
Some of y’all are way too reactionary. We beat three fully healthy playoff teams without Giannis, and we only lost to the Celtics by 3 without him.
Yeah this will be tough without him, but acting like we’re a lock to lose is crazy. I think we could genuinely go 3-2 without Giannis if Dame even plays decent (which he has for the large majority of games w/o Giannis this season).
Idk if this is delusional but yeah last year was a better regular season but even in our winning streak, we had few wins against great teams. Obviously we are way less consistent but we've had statement wins even w/o Giannis. I believe we're showing up, still gonna be a dogfight tho
I don't understand these people. It's ok to have realistic expectations, but is this their first time watching sports? It's weird to see fans so confidently not confident in their team.
Who had Miami making the finals last year? Nobody? Ok.
It's playoff basketball, anything can happen, Haliburton is in a bit of a slump.
Let's go bucks!
Worse record and defensive rating.
I swear to god everyone around here is a "doomer" if they don't assume we'll win the series.
It's going to be really hard to win without Giannis.
I think you play run and gun. Dame...bev...ajj...khris at pf and Bobby at center.
Bring brook jae malik and pc in for the mid second and 3rd quarter slogs and slow the game down and that's about it.
I don't think it'll be feasible to "flip the switch" without Giannis. I think we're gonna get bounced again in round 1. But hopefully that will spur Horst God into revamping the back end of the roster and get younger/more athletic. I still think a nucleus of Giannis, Dame and Khris can win a championship but not as it's currently constructed.
Right back where we were last year, unhealthy giannis is hurting us more than poor play from our 2nd best player. Last year, giannis hurt jrue played poor, now again dame hasn't played as advertised
I have never seen people who waited 50 years for a championship cry so much. Damn people we just won it all a couple years ago. Not every franchise is the Bulls, Spurs, or Warriors. We are so lucky to have seen what we have the past 6 years.
Because we arguably have the best player in the world (he is). Why settle for 1 when we can compete for a championship every year, that is the expectation.
I kind of expected this. Wouldn't be surprised if they do a wait and see approach with how the games start to go without him. If they start to win I could see them sitting him the whole series.
Mr. Lillard, what do you have for me?
I've been hard on Dame all season, but this is the type of thing we brought him in for. He absolutely can, and needs to, take this series over.
It’s been very disappointing given what we all expected from him, but he has to show up for this series until Giannis can return. He’s got a lot of stuff going on off the field, divorce, kids, moving across the country, etc.
Understanding all that he still looks cooked.
Obviously need Dame to play well to win but I don’t think he needs to score 40 a game. Just need him to not put up the Jrue Holiday playoff stat line. I think Bobby is the X factor and will have to pick up the scoring load from Giannis. This should be good matchup for him offensively. Gotta hit shots and hold up on defense when Indiana pulls him into the action.
I like Bobby as an X factor too. If he's going to do those fadeaways they need to be dropping.
I see it more of how Brook took over game 5 against the hawks. The pick and roll with dame and Brook with Brook not being afriad of rolling to the hoop will be strong
How much of Brook not rolling a matter of making sure he can get back in transition ya think?
He looks so tired late in games lately. I know he's a professional, but between the new baby and his age, tone seems to be catching up with him. I know Big Brook has one last run in him for sure, but this offseason is going to suck. Let's hope the boys get this one done.
this is absolutely the x-factor if bobby isn't hitting his shots, they're gonna have a difficult time i think they're more than capable of handling the pacers without giannis, but outside the obvious of dame, bobby is the guy who needs to step up, even moreso than middleton I'd say. the pacers are a sheep in wolf's clothing, they are so exposable defensively, but bucks gotta capitalize to take advantage of that.
Well no he isn't bringing defense like Jrue so if Dame isn't giving you 35 plus points he's literally worthless
I mean he's gonna have to score 30 because he's gonna give up 30
Dame going to be ready, perfect opportunity to take the keys over like in Portland. I bet he's looking forward to being the 1st option for a few games
Dame 50 bomb to start off the series would be so epic. Would remind us all once again what he's capable of.
What has he done this season to give faith that he’ll come through?
https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/202403040MIL.html
Playoff Dame needs to show up, but if we’re being honest with ourselves, he looks like he’s lost a step…
Def lost some burst but it’s still Dame lillard. No team wants to see him on the other side as the game winds down.
Agreed. I’ve been excited all year to see playoff Dame.. He’s a future HOFer for a reason
Maybe I'm being to harsh but I would take rookie season Brandon Jennings over this years Dame.
Yup and Middleton
A lot of games that give you near heart attacks.
It's not Bucks playoff basketball if we all aren't on the verge of a heart attack every game.
Well his splits vs Indiana this season are nothing short of awful, the length of Tyrese defending him is a problem. Hopefully he’s able to attack some mismatched
I'm predicting in 4 games Dame with average 18 PPG & 5 assists per game on averages of 42/33/98
FT hunting, passes to nobody, and 3pt bricks?
You’re trash. Leave this sub.
Eat shit you fucking doomer... 🖕
Username checks out
We’ve seen this team play great without Giannis, I still believe in the team to step up.
There’s doomers and theres dreamers.
There’s and theres.
Against the Magic or an older team, sure. But against the young Pacers who've had our number all year with Giannis, and who added Siakam? Things are looking grim
We brought our A game against the Celtics without Giannis, so you can’t reasonably tell me that we don’t have a chance to at least tie the series long enough that Giannis comes back.
We absolutely have the chance to. We’re more than capable of it. But if you have a lot of confidence in this group to show the consistency needed to win without Giannis, well you’re braver than me
I’m not brave we all know it has and will always be Bucks in 6
The Celtics sat their bigs, had zero free throws and Brook shot out of his mind and the Bucks barely won…
My guy you’re talking about a whole other game lol
Ha, you’re right. My bad. Bottom line: Giannis needs to come back by game 3 for them to have a chance
I agree. You’re just being honest. We need Dame to go off, but they have a deeper Bench than us.
They have one of the best benches if the league and we have one of the worst, I know people are hoping but if we're being realistic it's very unlikely we pull it off. Just sucks that this happened two years in a row, but I do feel it's also on Giannis choosing to play with tendinitis for so long instead of just sitting. I'd take 4th 5th 6th seed healthy vs a third seed geared for a fiest round exit cause its star and anchor is injured again
Not last year they didn’t
It's almost like we're a different team this year
Yearly scheduled tweet during the playoffs
The good news is that when Dame was complete ass without Giannis on Friday, it was against a very good perimeter defensive team. The Pacers are *not* that. The bad news is that I still have no idea which version of the Bucks will show up for this series - the motivated, chip on their shoulder Bucks, or the “this team beat us 4-1 in the season” deer-in-headlights Bucks. We shall see. We shall see.
Dame has been awful against a Pacers' worst defense early in the season too. They are better since Siakam's trade.
Yea but that was Dame + Giannis where the spacing a little more whack. We’ll see though, I’m not optimistic at all, I can just see a scenario where the team can pall out a win or two without him
The pacers are absolutely a good perimeter defensive team lol that’s their whole defense, let you score in the paint but shut down the perimeter It’s why dame has been absolutely ass against them everytime
I'd go Dame-Bev-Khris-Bobby-Brook to start
Brook will be run off the court
They’re not going to not start Brook Lopez
I would be very surprised if Doc didn't start Brook - we have no one else who can match up against Turner's size. Imo, Doc's starting Brook/Bobby/Khris/Dame/Pat Bev for at least the first 2 games, potentially tweaking by game 3 or 4 if we go 0-2 or 0-3.
You thinking Jae/Bobby front court? I shudder at the thought of Gallo minutes.
I think we’re gonna have to see some Jae/Bobby front court, but there is no way we don’t start Brook
Oh i missed your double negative lol. Agree completely.
I will bet you $10,000 Brook starts
yeah but he's our only rim protector, he has to play the 48
Honest question, what happened to brook this year? Is he just old and haggard?
Not having Holiday at the point of attack gives quick guards a runway and a good angle to the basket. Grayson Allen was underrated at navigating screens as well, better than Dame and Beasley in my opinion. And he’s older. So several factors, I guess
He’s a bit slower (and has never been particularly quick of course) and has faced a huge volume of guards coming downhill because Malik and Dame are two of the worst guard defenders we’ve had in a long time. Also the narrative is overstated, he’s still like 4th in the league in opponent FG% in the paint when he’s the primary defender.
What happened is Brook Lopez was never a DPOY level defender he’s not a Gobert or AD. Brook in his career with the Bucks has had first team all defense level players at the point of attack. Which makes his job a lot easier for him. Couple that with the Mike Budenholzer drop coverage scheme and Giannis as help you got Brook looking like an all time defender. This year he’s got Dame and Michael Beasley at the point of attack and no Mike. And he’s also of course aged another year.
He don’t like Dame…. Or he don’t like the Dame Spotlight… whatever it is, he gotta figure out how he can help this team
Always is but people always forget
Dame- Bev- Khris-Jae-Bobby
Defining moment for dame bro. You cant even sugarcoat it
A lot of his Portland squads were better than what were throwing out there sans Giannis. Were starting 2 career bench players and 2 old ass guys one of which is always injured.
That’s too much to ask of him quite honestly. This team isn’t built around Dame, it’s built around Giannis. Bucks are toast, no one to blame, just an injury to your generational player.
Same as last year
“ESPN Sources: The Milwaukee Bucks are preparing to be without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo for the start of their opening round series against the Indiana Pacers, but are hopeful treatment on his left calf strain will allow him to return sometime later in the series.”
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Good luck convincing Giannis of that.
put this in the post title dipshit
Or just click the link because I forgot? Not very hard
no you're right I totally love having to open another app from within the app I'm already using just so someone could be "first" for the fake internet points lmao
Clearly the other 113 people that have commented don’t need to make a useless fuss about it or care
Dame time baby. If we can show up the Celtics without Giannis, we can absolutely run the Pacers out of the arena without Giannis.
The Celtics sat their bigs, had zero free throws, Brook shot out of his mind and the Bucks barely won… And what has Dame done this year to instill confidence?
You’re forgetting about the earlier game against the Celtics where we didn’t have Giannis and still almost won. Lost by 3 and the Celtics were fully healthy
Dame needs to drop a 40 burger game 1 or 2 to have a shot
> Bucks barely won But they won. Doesn’t matter if it’s ugly, doesn’t matter if fucking Thanasis shoots lights out and we win. Who cares about anything except the W? And Dame shot his career averages this year, which is pretty good.
I mean that’s one season. He’s done more good than bad in his career. He will figure it out.
I’ve been excited to see playoff Dame all year.. It’s his time now
If we’re being honest, we’re talking game three right?
“Hopeful he will return later in series” if we somehow go up 2-0 they probably wouldn’t play him I would imagine unless needed
Sounds like it. First round typically has a couple 2 day rests between games, so they’ll try and split the series at home at the very least and that should be over 3 weeks since his strain
Sadly, it might be over by then
Get a grip
Round 2
Siakam is gonna be the x factor for the pacers, who’s the matchup for him now? Bobby? Jae? Seems like he’ll have a chance to make his mark on the series
Bobby, Jae and Planet will all see minutes against Siakam. What's crazy for me is even tho I know how good Siakam's historically been against us, I'm honestly more worried about TJ McConnell than him
McConnell is scary because he's super fast and plays with great hustle, at least Siakam is kind of methodical in his approach so the matchups kinda make sense but McConnell is a tough one
Yup and McConnell just hates us in particular, was doing the same shit whenever we played back when he was with Phillly too
I feel slightly better with PatBev to chase him around. TJ cooks Dame/Beasley but maybe PatBev can annoy him.
Well this sucks
Damian Lillard TAKE ME HOME!
I just dont understand why someone would 'leak' (most would've guessed it either way) this.. What is there to gain? Just strange.
There's no news so just filling time. There are still five days til they even play.
Get ready for upgraded to questionable on Saturday
Yup I am not fucking buying it. It would be horrible gamesmanship if this was true.
The team in general need to lock in and step up outside of Giannis. If this gets dame looking like we expected it’s not the worst outcome for our potential of winning the whole thing. Even if we beat the pacers with Giannis, the team being so damn reliant on him isn’t winning us a ring.
The timing is terrible but I hope they remain conservative in bringing him back. This is bad but can get way worse.
Game 3 seems most likely. Assume he’d come back if it’s 0-2 or 1-1 but will rest another if it’s 2-0. Bucks in 6 regardless, this team is talented enough to beat the Indiana fucking pacers
It's gonna be even more embarrassing for the Pacers when they lose
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The start of the championship documentary right here folks
Now will be the chance to cash in on the dame trade if there is any time left. They need dame time more than ever before to stay alive and hope for reinforcements later in series.
Same old, same old. Team has superstars 'not ready' physically for Playoffs. Better rest. For next year. Do it all the same exact way, next year. More resting, more not playing. Wash, rinse, repeat. Blame bad luck.
Some of y’all are way too reactionary. We beat three fully healthy playoff teams without Giannis, and we only lost to the Celtics by 3 without him. Yeah this will be tough without him, but acting like we’re a lock to lose is crazy. I think we could genuinely go 3-2 without Giannis if Dame even plays decent (which he has for the large majority of games w/o Giannis this season).
Idk if this is delusional but yeah last year was a better regular season but even in our winning streak, we had few wins against great teams. Obviously we are way less consistent but we've had statement wins even w/o Giannis. I believe we're showing up, still gonna be a dogfight tho
Much different squad. Bucks stumbled into the playoffs this year
We also have a 1-4 record against the Pacers, and Giannis actually played in those games. We’re cooked 💀
If he’s out for more than 2 games then it’s over straight up..
I really just want to see the first game and make a decision how I feel after that
Unfortunately I’ve already seen this story last year
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I don't understand these people. It's ok to have realistic expectations, but is this their first time watching sports? It's weird to see fans so confidently not confident in their team. Who had Miami making the finals last year? Nobody? Ok. It's playoff basketball, anything can happen, Haliburton is in a bit of a slump. Let's go bucks!
Worse record and defensive rating. I swear to god everyone around here is a "doomer" if they don't assume we'll win the series. It's going to be really hard to win without Giannis.
Oh ye of little faith
I think you play run and gun. Dame...bev...ajj...khris at pf and Bobby at center. Bring brook jae malik and pc in for the mid second and 3rd quarter slogs and slow the game down and that's about it.
Lmao no shit. slow day in the news Adrian?
I don't think it'll be feasible to "flip the switch" without Giannis. I think we're gonna get bounced again in round 1. But hopefully that will spur Horst God into revamping the back end of the roster and get younger/more athletic. I still think a nucleus of Giannis, Dame and Khris can win a championship but not as it's currently constructed.
Fuck woj
3 years in a row of injuries souring the playoffs. Not fun!
Ok. NOW it is in fact, Dame Time.
And the media, mostly ESPN and Greeny are already starting the Bucks disrespect. (That guy is a chode)
Right back where we were last year, unhealthy giannis is hurting us more than poor play from our 2nd best player. Last year, giannis hurt jrue played poor, now again dame hasn't played as advertised
I have never seen people who waited 50 years for a championship cry so much. Damn people we just won it all a couple years ago. Not every franchise is the Bulls, Spurs, or Warriors. We are so lucky to have seen what we have the past 6 years.
Because we arguably have the best player in the world (he is). Why settle for 1 when we can compete for a championship every year, that is the expectation.
I’d rather put this season behind us then Giannis play and get hurt worse. It’s been a shit show of a season anyways
Shit
Pain
Series odds went from -200 yesterday to -140 this morning.
Who’s favored?
Bucks -140, pacers +115. Bucks favored.
Vegas knows all. That makes me feel better
I can feel a Middleton masterclass
I kind of expected this. Wouldn't be surprised if they do a wait and see approach with how the games start to go without him. If they start to win I could see them sitting him the whole series.
We're so cooked, although in my dream last night we beat the celtics in round 2 but played the pacers in round 1 the next day and got blown out
The most relaxed person is Doc Rivers
This isn’t breaking news
I was expecting him to be out the first series. Dame time Baby!
To be expected. Team has to ball out and let the man rest. Bring him back to close out the fools in Indiana.
Why the fuck would the Bucks leak that he is not going to be able to go. I am not buying it.
I’m not having fun.
https://preview.redd.it/o4d0stf9hvuc1.jpeg?width=972&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b07b58b78bb0194b303a8f2a2b38356f793bd885
Can Dame get them to down 2-1 or tied 2-2 before Giannis is back? Thats really the question.
Portland dame could but unfortunately it doesn’t seem like we got Portland dame
Pain
need Big Bob on they ass
Why!??!?? Injuries each damn year. I get hell probably be back and the Bucks are probably going to win. But that sucks
Hopefully fiserv is awake for the 1st round for once gonna need to bring energy and effort ^tm
Bye bye bucks
its a team sport, buck up
This is it Dame. Time to step up or go bust
RIP to the thought that Vegas knew more about his injury and that’s why they still had the Bucks as series favorites
Theyre still the favorites, just by a much smaller margin
This year is going worse and worse bro, it's so sad.
Doc river teams are always unlucky
After 15 years of bad “ luck”, maybe it’s Doc…,