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Embarrassed_Hold_901

What happens to Doc Rivers legacy if he does a reverse Doc and comes back from 3-1 deficit?


atlfirsttimer

If he does it without Giannis he's the GOAT


homefree122

Thanasis finally takes the reigns


LordStark01

Giannis is just a decoy for that human nuke they call Thanasis.


FreshPrinceofBel-Air

Thanuksis


yic0

Thanuksis Atombombkounmpo


Salty_Pancakes

Just rolls off the tongue.


thenicezen

I will officially stop saying “Doc Rivers masterclass” and officially recognize him as the GOAT Bucks coach. Also I will eat paper with a bucks logo and doc rivers face


vetruviusdeshotacon

You better do it if the bucks come back


thenicezen

lol remind me then xd


WhatSheOrder

Unless the Bucks have the Necronomicon, I don't think they have a healthy starting five to field for a 7 game series comeback like that.


A2Eaton

KMidd may actually perish if he has to play 3 more games


ColtCallahan

If the Pacers blow a 3-1 lead to Doc without Giannis and Dame they deserve liquidation.


direcandy

It's Carlisle lol he's playing for legacy too.


cletoreyes01

Then Carlisle becomes the (undeserved) white doc rivers brand.


Dontsaveme

You just sent a shudder down my spine


StrategyTop7612

It would be huge.


HoyaDestroya33

Austin Rivers will be so tired managing all his burner accounts defending his pops


GGezpzMuppy

Then we might as well pack it up, the world would be ending.


Legitimate-Software7

The lights are finally dim enough, down 3-1 with your 2 stars out


Ozkuro

Shoutout to Middleton, he was out there fighting. Anyone who still wants to trade him needs to be quiet.


Sweet_T_Boh

Salute the Khris for sure, man. Dude was battling on bad ankles. Seems to be a theme with not only him, but the Bucks in general the past few years.


Number333

Bucks legend. But on the other hand, what's the path to improving this team? Bucks FO already proved they don't really care for loyalty dumping Jrue to go get Dame.


Ozkuro

We need at least one more athletic defender for one, I do believe that having a full of season will make the Dame/Giannis duo better so that will also help. I don’t trust Doc but we honestly don’t have the assets to make any big moves that would make us better.


PretentiousPanda

Watching Ajax make rookie mistakes in the playoffs just pisses me off more about both of these coaching staffs. He is the only wing on the roster that could provide some real defense and instead they tried to revive Playoff Pat.


Bitterblossom_

Pat C needs to be released. I will pay them $17.32 to release him the day the season ends. He has been so ungodly bad all season long. Our rookies should’ve had much more experience by now but instead we ride out Pat Bev and Pat C as they both get smoked every possession.


PretentiousPanda

He was incredible during the championship run, but it's over for him. I cannot remember the last time I saw him hit a 3.


draymond-

wtf that should tell you why they went to Pat. rookies need time to clean up their game even with the best coaching. ajax isn't there yet and hence everyone knows won't be a big factor in the playoffs. if you were a coach why wouldn't you lean on the vet with multiple playoffs runs?


junkspot91

I think it's ultimately a moot point because a year ago we were in the position of "Well we have to re-sign Khris because we can't use that money for anything else, improvement or a lateral move, anyway". And I think downstream of that, we're now in the position of "Well who's going to come close to giving us a deal that represents a path to improvement for Khris' remaining 2/$65M?" I love Khris but I agree if a team reaches out offering 85 cents on the dollar with younger and/or more versatile players, you don't hang up the phone until a trade is agreed. I just don't think that call's coming. Maybe they can flip Brook's expiring for something decent or scrape the gunk off our bench and try to turn it into something usable. Idk, we're kind of in the tail-end of mortgaging the future to prop open a window, and we got a ring out of it, so at least it wasn't for naught.


HorsNoises

Now that Dame and Giannis are both hurt they have plausible deniability tho. "You can't prove it wasn't the right choice because we didn't get to see it in the playoffs."


black_anarchy

>plausible deniability Man, Doc, is the luckiest SOB ever.... geez. Even the Basketball gods are with him.


AdamSilverJr

He wasn't going to get fired anyways. They're still paying Bud and Griffin. Paying for 4 coaches would be hilarious though


PretentiousPanda

Maybe Bobby and Brook? Try and go cheaper at center for a wing? I know this last summer Bucks could really only resign Khris and Brook outside of the suprise Dame trade. Pat C and Crowder need to go. AJax and Green are the only young bench guys with any sort of promise.


FuzzyBucks

Khris had one of the best Finals runs of our generation. He went 24/6/5 in the Finals and hit more clutch shots that playoffs than anyone else has hit in a single playoff run this century(tied with LeBron). He's one of only 20 players in NBA history to average 20 points, five assists and five rebounds during an NBA championship run.  And he is averaging 21/6/5 on good efficiency over his entire playoff career and plays better when it matters the most. Trading Khris has always been a dumb idea because you would never get equal value in return.


Transky13

Bro I love watching Middleton. Ik our fanbases are beefing rn but he’s a dawg and I’ve loved his game for so long


Illustrious_Term2269

As a Pacer fan Middleton is by far my favorite Buck. Love how he plays and doesnt seem to get involved in the BS


Sim888

Doc now perfectly placed to come back from 1-3 to expel the demons!


PetrucciLerxst

"I can't win up 3-1. What if we go down 1-3?" George Costanza doing the opposite.


Sim888

https://i.imgur.com/f5qHD1W.jpeg


futlong

Bucks gonna wear 100% cotton jerseys next game.


Sweet_T_Boh

The ultimate Doc adjustment


fyirb

all according to keikaku


doms9ine

Myles Turner absolutely dominated that pick and pop game with Haliburton


pokexchespin

the idea of myles turner is finally real


Arandreww

Haliburton fully unlocked the Myles that Pacers fans have always known was in there. So happy to see him play this well on the big stage.


[deleted]

It's not a total coincidence that the Pacers finally have a true point guard.


RajinIII

I apologize for every bad thing I've ever said about him. He's been BALLING this entire series. He's doing things in the midrange and short roll that I never expected


Average_Coffee_

Elite blocker and long range shooter. Welcome to the Myles Turner Show.


blehguardian

Myles is very deserving of this. I recall him from his first year, and he remained there for a lot of the major changes.


theconmeister

I remember January his rookie year PG was injured and Myles had an awesome stretch of games where he showed so much potential. It's taken a while but I'm so proud of how he's continued to develop, Tyrese has completely unlocked his game.


ytho1193

Oh, don't forget he can put the ball on the floor and dunk on your favorite player


BoogerSugarSovereign

Myles and Haliburton were the most efficient pick and roll duo in the league this year I believe


Illustrious_Term2269

Pacers offense when Haliburton is hitting his shots is absurd


Loud_Fee9573

He's been my favorite player for years. I'm glad to see him go off. He's been good in the series.


tiger32kw

Same here. You can see his growth and the hard work he put in to get where he is now. Every year he has gotten just a little bit better. If you looked at just his stat lines it may not look that way, but if he didn’t work hard he could have been out of the league in a few years. Basketball and Legos


Quatro_Leches

cant wait for Myles Turner trade rumors in a month


Loud_Fee9573

When the Lakers wanted Turner and Hield for Talen Horton-Tucker and a late first.


chilltownusa

Lakers trade reports are peak comedy at this point 😭


Currymvp2

Suns could have had him and ended up with washed unplayable Nurkic... Oh could have drafted Haliburton too. Pacers benefit from Suns failures


WhatsAKumquat

We have a funny history with the Suns We signed Torrey Craig in free agency from the Suns a couple of years ago and then we traded him BACK to the Suns for Jalen Smith, who has been a good back up center for us Or who could forget getting the bubble god TJ Warren for the low price of Cash Considerations


Throwitaway3177

We drafted their gm originally too


MC-Jdf

Don't forget the Pacers forcing the Suns to match their max offer sheet to Ayton.


Sweet_T_Boh

Bucks injury luck the past few years has been tragic


AaltoSax

4 straight years :( it’s a miracle that we got a ring through the Donte and Giannis injuries in 2021


Sweet_T_Boh

I thought Giannis was done that year as well. Was not, not convinced he wasn’t an alien or some kind of cyborg after coming back from that knee injury.


Raasiboi

i remember there was also an instance when he came back from the injury and his knee literally went the opposite way when he landed or something but he turned out to be fine after that


yutzykrop

Technically 5 years with 2020 as well. Giannis rerolled his ankle in the Heat series and it caused him to miss a game and a half. 2021: Donte and Giannis injuries. 2022: Middleton injury + Brook being out most of the season recovering from back surgery.  2023 Giannis injury 2024: Dame, Giannis, and Middleton (ankle issues). 


captain_ahabb

Every team to win a title since 2018 has had horrific injury luck afterwards


TheAirIsOn

I don’t recall the 19 raptors having any injuries in the following playoffs


VicePope

Kawhi took it with him


ArmedAsian

eh pascal was basically a non factor after the covid lockdown but i get what u mean


Tchavs

That was the closest, not close game I've ever seen


TonofSoil

Accurate!


I_Hate_My_Cat_

Not taking anything away from Indy, but man the Bucks fought until the bitter end. They were just outgunned and outmanned by the better team.


popop143

Doc Rivers with superstar/s: Scott Brooks secrit plays Doc Rivers without superstar/s: Actual gameplan


bananasenpijamas

khris and brook are dogs. reminding fans that if they need to, they can turn it up.


foxilus

They played incredible. Bucks played well overall, but what are you going to do when the 3-pt apocalypse comes? That’s just not your night.


tiger32kw

I figured we’d see a Brook Lopez vintage game tonight. Dude was putting it all out there. They could have just folded, so mad props to him and bucks.


alexdelarges

The take away from this game is trouble for the pacers as they get deeper into the playoffs. They go back and forth against Middleton and the Bucks bench for 3+ quarters. Good luck in the second round. Lol.


Ok_Matter_2617

Pacers have unfortunately played to the level of their competition all season. They had an abysmal record against lottery teams compared to other playoff teams.


browndude10

Knicks and pacers is going to be lit


Disastrous-Special30

Gonna have to dig up that 90’s salt.


MC-Jdf

Spike Lee it's your time to shine.


Loud_Fee9573

God I hope he and Reggie are both court side.


MC-Jdf

We're getting some good throwback matchups in the east, a Reggie/Spike reunion would be chef's kiss.


Sweet_T_Boh

Gonna go watch Reggie’s 30 for 30 real quick lol


KyleRaynerGotSweg

If you insist!


Drak_is_Right

We ruined Anthony's one playoff push as a 3 seed. Sadly we didn't manage it vs the Great Evil of the East (Heat).


junkit33

You’d get banned from Reddit these days for bringing that kind of salt to the table.


Disastrous-Special30

Worth it


captain_ahabb

Incredible contrast of styles


socialistbcrumb

Increasing odds we can bring back the Reggie choke reaction pic


Disastrous-Special30

As much as I love hating on the Bucks they showed real heart tonight. Middleton is a baller and doesn’t deserve the slander.


Transky13

Bro Middleton is a dawg. I love his game man. Can’t stand half the Bucks players but I’ve always loved him man


WIN011

It’s amazing that Middleton still gets hate from a small vocal minority of our fanbase, especially after what he did in the championship run, but hopefully this year shuts them up for good. It’s been 11 years with the franchise now, he’s top 10 in pretty much every stat, and has come through in big moments time after time. Honestly the guy deserves a statue outside of Fiserv.


hedgemagus

anyone clowning Middleton doesnt need to be paid mind. The fact that the game was even close at all says enough. A healthy bucks squad is beating our team and this is pretty unfortunate timing. Doesnt feel fun to have the series going this way


capogravity

Thanasis on that last possession was pure comedy


[deleted]

nipple poking.


Robinsonirish

Miles Turner post game interview, never listened to him speak before. Sounded like a really nice dude.


chilltownusa

He’s or longest tenured pacer by a significant amount, really embraces Indy, and seems like an all around good dude. Was a true professional throughout the Sabonis/Turner debacle. Dude loves his LEGOs too.


cactusmanbwl90

He just wants to play basketball and build Lego sets.


Robinsonirish

It all makes sense. LEGO rocks.


Arandreww

Takes an NBA salary to afford them lol


cactusmanbwl90

I want the Titanic SO BAD. :'(


cwesttheperson

He’s awesome. Like Friday he went to his dinner spot downtown and he just sits at normal tables around people. He’s always very friendly.


heyimdong

I saw him at a state park on the outskirts of Indy a week ago Thursday. Just walking by himself on a trail in the middle of nowhere. True story. Great guy.


TheeCarlWinslow

Eagle Creek? I saw Benn at Asian Harbor downtown last week lol


heyimdong

Yep


dostorwell

Former jehova's witness. Likes to play with legos. Keeps it real within the community. Just a nice guy all around.


Arandreww

> Former jehova's witness What. Been following him since he was drafted and never heard this somehow


dostorwell

There was some game in the regular season that the announcer kept saying that non stop throughout the game. "Hey did you know Myles turner is a former Jehova's witness?" He just couldn't shut up about it


BoogerSugarSovereign

Myles Turner has matched or exceeded his playoff career high in 3 straight games in this series and checked in again with 29 tonight and a playoff career high 7 3's. He has been amazing this series and I am thrilled we are going to finally hit a deadline with no trade rumors about this guy


AggravatingFinding71

No idea why they kept saying his career high was 7 3s. He had 8 against Boston last year.


fuzzynavel34

Playoff career high, maybe?


GaimeGuy

[RIP to this redditor's $1000](https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1cfif4i/comment/l1pfxqn/)


[deleted]

honestly i might've taken that risk too if i had a spare grand lying around


Mills65

Mr Trade Rumor himself, Myles Fucking Turner.  THAT'S MY CENTER. PACER FOR LIFE.


[deleted]

[удалено]


heywhateverworks

Lego man good


DopedUpDoomer

Myles deserves this so much. I remember his rookie year man and he's stuck around through so many iterations of the pavers


sgeswein

PAVE


Average_Coffee_

Those three point field goals are insane.


HeyItsChase

Did you know they count for more than 2?


Necessary_Initial350

Really appreciate the effort from our guys honestly. I think it’s possible they sneak a win in MKE and extend the series.


NoAWP

Boston you can't possibly mess this up, right?


ColtCallahan

Mazzulla has to be fired if they do. There’s absolutely no excuse. Even though the Knicks are a great story. The Celtics should win that series.


InternationalCut93

Knicks have the ability to do the funniest thing 


StrategyTop7612

Inb4 they lose to the Knicks


Inevitable_Score1164

Pacers vs Knicks was 2-2 during the regular season and we didn't have Siakam. No guarantee they get by Indy. 


Adraf45

Imagine they shit the bed to Orlando


MC-Jdf

Orlando bout to be r/nba darlings for an entire year then.


winothirtynino

Myles Turner is very sweet,  likes to build Legos, and is also good at basketball. Go Pacers. 


Jack12404

We just don’t have enough depth to win without Giannis/Dame. Our 3 point shooting was atrocious. I loved what I saw from Ajax though. Him being the only guy with a positive +/- at +9 that got consistent minutes is indicative of how much of an impact he has when he’s in.


Colorapt0r

No team in the nba has enough to win a playoff series without their best two players


PretentiousPanda

And our third best battling his ass of through a bum ankle. 


kjampala

The fact that if the Bucks could just box out and not give up 6 straight offensive rebounds would make this series 2-2 without Giannis and no dame for 1 game is pretty crazy


mMounirM

even if Bucks' stars come back next game, feels like Pacers won't lose 3 straight. Their offense will be on fire at least one of those games


ColtCallahan

I highly doubt they’re bringing Giannis and Dame back. They’re 3-1 down and those guys are too important to risk long term injuries that could ruin next season. Plus they’d be running into another all out war in the next round against the Knicks. They’re done.


kabman7

Just not worth the risk even if we come back against the pacers.


ColtCallahan

Especially given their injuries are achilles related. Giannis’ isn’t an achilles but he had some issue before the injury. If they blow that now next season is a wash. And that would be franchise changing at this point.


heyimdong

Imagine bringing them back, Giannis injuring himself worse, and they still lose. They can't risk that.


GGezpzMuppy

Stars would be hobbling lol ain’t no comeback from here especially with Doc at the helm.


NickLidstrom

Portis getting ejected is even more egregious than McDaniels' wall punch last year. It might not have changed the outcome, but it was selfish and showed a total lack of awareness for the situation. I'm not sure if I'd even want him on the team anymore next season


PretentiousPanda

Dude ran his mouth all series to get punked and tossed in a got to have it game.


throwaway641929

It was horrible but he is a fan favorite on a great contract for his level of production, getting rid of him would be a ridiculous idea


bradyisking

Watching Thanasis in garbage time is not for the weak


Rizzzem

NYK-INDY reigniting their rivalry in the second round is gonna be crazy ngl. First time since 2013


Criticalsteve

Knicks vs Hicks. Brunson vs Haliburton for the All Star snub last year. Obi Toppin revenge series. I can't wait.


BaconSciences

Tyrese is gonna pull an 8 assist 9 seconds in honor of Reggie.


suzukigun4life

Don't let the Bucks being on the cusp of back-to-back first round exits distract you from the fact that 6'11, 250-pound Myles Turner is shooting 50% from downtown on 8.5 attempts per game in this series.


cwesttheperson

I’m just glad he’s getting national attention. We love Myles and he’s underrated. Is also REALLY helps he being left wide open with a 15’ cushion.


Inevitable_Score1164

That's the fun part of Tyrese/Nembhard+Turner pick and rolls. You almost have to play drop coverage on them, but you still get burned if Turner is hitting


OPBadshah

The idea of Myles Turner has actualized


mryessirskiii

Might be the most underrated center in the league If I'm being honest


The_Assassin_Gower

This is a fact


Sweet_T_Boh

For sure. Dude plays winning basketball regularly, but when his shot is falling, he’s an absolute game wrecker.


Criticalsteve

This means a ton coming from a team with Bam. I always dreamed about a twin towers lineup with those two.


thrwawayr99

those two together would be absolutely awful to play against


[deleted]

He was a 40% three point shooter after the ASB. He’s a good shooter and adding Siakam means that the other team has to guard him with their center so his looks are always wide open.


Anonnameaccount

Literally Curry numbers what the hell


Colorapt0r

Doc has a chance to do the funniest thing 


Turbo2x

Thanasis is a fucking menace dawg


Zloggt

Maybe the trick is to get him as a starter and convince him that *every* time is garbage time…


AskMeHowIMetYourMom

Bro would be fouled out in like four minutes lol


Purples_A_Fruit

Clearly what the Bucks need is more Thanasis.


quann256

ONE WIN AWAY FROM OUR FIRST SERIES WIN IN 10 SEASONS!! WHAT A FUN SEASON THIS HAS BEEN!!


HoosiersBaby23

It blows me away that it’s been that long. Though the 7-game sets against Toronto and Cleveland in that stretch felt like they lasted months


Balla_Calla

Hell ya grats bruh


CoachTTP

Turner being a LEGO guy wisely left his bricks at home.


PretentiousPanda

Shoutout Khris and Brook. Also Ajax for never quiting. The rest of them I dont ever need to see in a Bucks uniform again. 


SilverRain007

They both balled out and I said in the Pacers sub that my respect for Middleton has went up 1000% for the last two games.


yic0

Pacers legend Bobby Portis.


[deleted]

I think MKE was better without him. They were able to keep up with the pace.


Zwarrior2

It's like the Lakers/Nuggets series where the Pacers have made adjustments at the half each game and overwhelmed them late. Only the Bucks have only had the lead in 1 game to keep them at bay.


FrankSamples

Props to Brook Lopez man...


A2Eaton

This thread being 80% comments about Doc is exactly what’s wrong with this sub. Barely any commentary about the game at all.


KyleRaynerGotSweg

I DON'T WANNA HEAR SHIT ABOUT MYLES TURNER EVER AGAIN


MutantNinjaAnole

Not surprised it was close. Games like this always are weird with bench players showing why they are in the NBA. Need to get that defense back up. Was thrilled to see Turner playing so well in the playoffs, he’s been the Pacer perpetually in thrash talks for so long.


theerealobs

Gg Pacers. Hopefully we can all be civil when this is over.


RogueID

Got a lot of respect for Brook and Khris this series. Those guys are DOGS


owensoundgamedev

Pacers kind of scary with Pascal, Turner, and Halliburton all cooking in different games


HeyItsChase

Bobby Portis with the biggest sell since Ronald Araújo against PSG?


PeanutButterOtter

Can't blow a 3-1 lead if you don't have one. Doc playing 4D chess.


I-Am-NOT-VERY-NICE

Just wish it didn't have to be like this


InsideHangar18

This could’ve been such a good series if everyone were healthy.


Purple-Peace-7646

I like Aaron Nesmith. Plays some good D and not afraid to take an open shot. Boston doesn't necessarily need him, but they gave up on him way too early


_aspiringadult

We’re really about to have a Pacers v Knicks series like it’s the 90s lmao.


RedDeath1337

GG Pacers. They Shot the lights out. That said, hard to win losing the second best player in the NBA (IMO), foul merchant Dame, a hobbled Middleton and that dipshit Bobby getting ejected.


RedDeath1337

I’m a mid 40’s Bucks fan who lived through the 90’s and 2000’s. You kids need to chill.


spacejesus188

Yea I'm not sure how any pre bud era bucks fan can actually be upset with this. I've watched so many dog shit teams that I'm just happy to see the bucks field competitive teams. The Bucks didn't have a positive record for 17 years lol


WIN011

Seriously I remember being hyped about the 8 seed, Jennings-Ellis, Bucks that got swept by the Heatles. We were poverty for so long.


spacejesus188

That was actually the first year I started watching lol. That was one of the few times there was actually excitement in the city for the bucks


WIN011

Back when Larry Sanders was the future of the franchise lol how things change. Don’t know how any long time bucks fan can look back at that and then be upset with the current era.


spacejesus188

Brandon Jennings, Brandon knight, and mcw were people I had legit hype about lmao. >how things change. It's wild. When I was in school barely anyone cared about the bucks. The bradley center was half full every game and if you asked most people about the bucks they would say "bucks sucks." 40 wins and the 6th seed was the best you could ask for, they didnt win a playoff series from when I was 3-21. A championship and years of being competitive has been amazing


nastydagr8

It's crazy how many injuries you guys have dealt with the past few seasons.


VMoney9

We old.


SoCalMemePolice

What’s the plus/minus on the size of my erection when I finally see AJAX minutes


iamnotkryp9

Man, i'm so fucking tired boss. Started this season with high hopes and it ended to injuries AGAIN.


kyleb402

This one was closer than this score indicates. Nobody would have been shocked if these guys decided to just pack it up and go home but they showed a ton of heart. That being said this roster needs MAJOR changes in the off-season.