[valentine]

 It sounds silly, and yet it’s already obvious.

Just from watching the two teams play, you would think it was Jason Kidd who got caught with Barnes wife, not Fisher, and you’d think the Knicks had won the Greg Monroe sweepstakes, not Milwaukee. 

A lot of people wanted to ignore the Bucks’ post-All Star break meltdown, and focus on the first half of the season, even though most of the key contributors to that early season success are long gone.

It looks like the Bucks are going to pick up right where they left off, and their lack of veteran leadership is striking. It’s not like Monroe is some David Lee type champion with sky high intangibles. Dude was born to put up stats on bad teams. 

The Knicks didn’t blow their #4 pick on a Jae Crowder clone (Winslow), and the made the super-smart but unpopular  choice of the 7’3" rim protecting stretch center/pf.

The Bucks had almost as good a shot at adding a big impact player, but they passed on Bobby Portis and took a scoring guard in Rashad Vaughn. Vaughn is a talented kid, but the Bucks could have had Portis for a fraction of the price Monroe cost, and Portis probably would have been a better emotional leader from day one.

Bucks could have brought in Jeremy Lin and/or Jordan Crawford, and still have been a better, and better balanced team than they are now.

 

Things change very fast in the NBA, and this is your chance to know what’s up regarding the state of the Knicks and the Bucks.

T Rex Out.

 

 

[chall23Participant]

The Bucks have a lot of talent but I do believe their interior defense is suspect and they won’t have the best floor spacing. That being said I still think they’ll be better than the Knicks 

[chall23Participant]

The Bucks have a lot of talent but I do believe their interior defense is suspect and they won’t have the best floor spacing. That being said I still think they’ll be better than the Knicks 

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 Defense matters. While Montoe and Parker aren’t great, the 3 windpipe defenders all are, and the front court is spotted by Henson, who is a beast on d.  They’ll win games off of that, let alone the development of Gianni’s and Jabari, along with steady scoring from Monroe.

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 Defense matters. While Montoe and Parker aren’t great, the 3 windpipe defenders all are, and the front court is spotted by Henson, who is a beast on d.  They’ll win games off of that, let alone the development of Gianni’s and Jabari, along with steady scoring from Monroe.

[providencefriars1Participant]

Do you guys think the Bucks will use Henson with Monroe at all or will they keep using wings primarily at PF?

[providencefriars1Participant]

Do you guys think the Bucks will use Henson with Monroe at all or will they keep using wings primarily at PF?

[Andrew1984Participant]

 I actually agree with someone who I normally find to be insane. Hmm. 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 I actually agree with someone who I normally find to be insane. Hmm. 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Yes T Rex.  We definitely agree on this.  Bucks have a nice young core, and were a surprise team last year.  I am with you in thinking that the Knicks will be better, or have a very similar record as the Bucks.  Porzingy will contribute from day one if he can stay healthy.  He might not put up big gaudy numbers (besides Plus Minus).  The spacing he provides and his length are a perfect fit next to Rolo and Melo.  

Their guard play could hold them back, but Grant should give them some good minutes.  I look for them to attempt to pluck another D Leaguer which could go a few ways.  They could really use a high volume scorer off the bench, but that is only knickpicking…. see what I did there?

 

[T Rex]

 Hibbert might end up being the steal of the summer, free agency wise. Then Upshaw and Jon Holmes look like two great undrafted steals.

 

 

[llperez]

 Neither Holmes nor upshaw are making the lakers roster. Holmes hasn’t even played in any of the preseason games yet even though he’s healthy and upshaw is clearly not ready for the nba. Sacre and black are both clearly better then him right now. 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 There is zero incentive for Sacre on the roster ahead of Upshaw.  Upshaw is better than Sacre right now.  I was against Upshaw as a potential Lakers reclamation project when I thought they would take him in the early 2nd. He seems to have gotten his ish together and has miles more potential than Sacre.  

It’s a no brainer.  Lakers aren’t in need of cheerleaders right now, they need talent and potential.  Upshaw can already do things Sacre would never be able to do, and he has the potential to do alot more.

And Holmes has played in a preseason game,  but he clearly didn’t leave an impression.  If he can shoot the 3 consistently,  he will find a spot in this league, ala Robert Covington but slightly less athletic and slightly more physical.

 

 

[llperez]

 Upshaw is better then sacre right now? How so? Upshaw hasn’t even really made his presence felt in defense which is supposed to be his forte. Offensively I don’t trust him at all. He doesn’t read defenses well so his immediate first thought is to make an offensive move. That might be fine if he was more skilled. He has fumbled passes failed to seal his man and make himself available when teammates get stuck and need to give it up. I’m not even a big sacre fan and the lakers have barely used him in preseason but he’s a better offensive player by a wide margin and is more physical on defense. Upshaw just tries to block everything and he’s usually late at that. Neither guy is going to be part of rotation but I would rather my deep roster be filled by guys who could come in a contribute in a pinch rather then some guy who is years away from being an nba player. 

 

I think Holmes and upshaw are the two easiest cuts the lakers have on this summer team. 

[llperez]

 Upshaw is better then sacre right now? How so? Upshaw hasn’t even really made his presence felt in defense which is supposed to be his forte. Offensively I don’t trust him at all. He doesn’t read defenses well so his immediate first thought is to make an offensive move. That might be fine if he was more skilled. He has fumbled passes failed to seal his man and make himself available when teammates get stuck and need to give it up. I’m not even a big sacre fan and the lakers have barely used him in preseason but he’s a better offensive player by a wide margin and is more physical on defense. Upshaw just tries to block everything and he’s usually late at that. Neither guy is going to be part of rotation but I would rather my deep roster be filled by guys who could come in a contribute in a pinch rather then some guy who is years away from being an nba player. 

 

I think Holmes and upshaw are the two easiest cuts the lakers have on this summer team. 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 There is zero incentive for Sacre on the roster ahead of Upshaw.  Upshaw is better than Sacre right now.  I was against Upshaw as a potential Lakers reclamation project when I thought they would take him in the early 2nd. He seems to have gotten his ish together and has miles more potential than Sacre.  

It’s a no brainer.  Lakers aren’t in need of cheerleaders right now, they need talent and potential.  Upshaw can already do things Sacre would never be able to do, and he has the potential to do alot more.

And Holmes has played in a preseason game,  but he clearly didn’t leave an impression.  If he can shoot the 3 consistently,  he will find a spot in this league, ala Robert Covington but slightly less athletic and slightly more physical.

 

 

[llperez]

 Neither Holmes nor upshaw are making the lakers roster. Holmes hasn’t even played in any of the preseason games yet even though he’s healthy and upshaw is clearly not ready for the nba. Sacre and black are both clearly better then him right now. 

[T Rex]

 Hibbert might end up being the steal of the summer, free agency wise. Then Upshaw and Jon Holmes look like two great undrafted steals.

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Yes T Rex.  We definitely agree on this.  Bucks have a nice young core, and were a surprise team last year.  I am with you in thinking that the Knicks will be better, or have a very similar record as the Bucks.  Porzingy will contribute from day one if he can stay healthy.  He might not put up big gaudy numbers (besides Plus Minus).  The spacing he provides and his length are a perfect fit next to Rolo and Melo.  

Their guard play could hold them back, but Grant should give them some good minutes.  I look for them to attempt to pluck another D Leaguer which could go a few ways.  They could really use a high volume scorer off the bench, but that is only knickpicking…. see what I did there?

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 Can Cleanthony get some minutes this year? I think he could be a nice defensive wing off the bench that can keep Melo from having to guard the other team’s top wing player.

[ChewyParticipant]

 Can Cleanthony get some minutes this year? I think he could be a nice defensive wing off the bench that can keep Melo from having to guard the other team’s top wing player.

[omphalosParticipant]

 I actually agree with this too, only because Melo represents the best possible version of Jabari Parker in his prime, Giannis is still figuring things out, Monroe is not a good enough post-up player for how bad his D is – or at least his lack of effort on D, MCW is average at best.

But Henson is very good, Mayo is allegedly tearing up training camp and in the best shape of his career, Plumlee is a really good back-up C and Kidd is a very good coach.

It’s a really tough call, but I think the Knicks have some excellent vets in Afflalo, Melo and Lopez that all fit really well together, along with a potential young stud in Porzingis and other decent bench pieces in Grant, Early and the other Antetokounpo (sp?).

I think Knicks definitely make the playoffs.

 

 

 

[omphalosParticipant]

 I actually agree with this too, only because Melo represents the best possible version of Jabari Parker in his prime, Giannis is still figuring things out, Monroe is not a good enough post-up player for how bad his D is – or at least his lack of effort on D, MCW is average at best.

But Henson is very good, Mayo is allegedly tearing up training camp and in the best shape of his career, Plumlee is a really good back-up C and Kidd is a very good coach.

It’s a really tough call, but I think the Knicks have some excellent vets in Afflalo, Melo and Lopez that all fit really well together, along with a potential young stud in Porzingis and other decent bench pieces in Grant, Early and the other Antetokounpo (sp?).

I think Knicks definitely make the playoffs.

 

 

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 in the Draft Tanking last year would have been worth it… Okafor in NBA ready & w/ ral star like Carmelo I think they could have done something – maybe make the playoffs… But w/ no Draft pick next June & a handful of players that are marginally talented free agents but not part of the "team" this could get ugly Very fast for the Knicks – I hope it doesn;t but it could (that’s all I’m saying) especially b/c Carmelo is older, he may want out….

Milwaukee has some weaknesses – like all teams – and their core is still young… But they have a Clear direction fron the front office, to the coach to the team… I think that’s a big reason why Monroe sign w/ them… These free agents want continuity… The Bucks have a really nice young roster & they are going to be a force in the East – I’m not saying they are close to a Ring or that they will ever win one, but they have positioned themselves to be successful & they will have options going forward… I really think the Knicks are in trouble… hopefully they can get through this year & continue building htrough the draft…

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 in the Draft Tanking last year would have been worth it… Okafor in NBA ready & w/ ral star like Carmelo I think they could have done something – maybe make the playoffs… But w/ no Draft pick next June & a handful of players that are marginally talented free agents but not part of the "team" this could get ugly Very fast for the Knicks – I hope it doesn;t but it could (that’s all I’m saying) especially b/c Carmelo is older, he may want out….

Milwaukee has some weaknesses – like all teams – and their core is still young… But they have a Clear direction fron the front office, to the coach to the team… I think that’s a big reason why Monroe sign w/ them… These free agents want continuity… The Bucks have a really nice young roster & they are going to be a force in the East – I’m not saying they are close to a Ring or that they will ever win one, but they have positioned themselves to be successful & they will have options going forward… I really think the Knicks are in trouble… hopefully they can get through this year & continue building htrough the draft…

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 For some reason I have a feeling that the bucks could be this year’s version of last years hornets. Remember the hornets were a team that came out of nowhere to make the playoffs in 2014. Then they signed Stephenson in the offseason and a lot of people projected them to take the next step the following year, but instead they regressed and missed the playoffs altogether. I can at least see the potential for a similar narrative with Milwaukee this season.

I think they will miss Jared dudley more than people realize, just like Charlotte missed Josh mcroberts last year. I thought Brandon knight was a better fit for their roster than carter-williams. I’m not sure they can get by defensively with a parker-monroe frontcourt. This is a young team with very little playoff experience and they traded away 2 of their most influential veterans in pacuila and dudley. I love the overall potential of this roster but there could be some growing pains.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 For some reason I have a feeling that the bucks could be this year’s version of last years hornets. Remember the hornets were a team that came out of nowhere to make the playoffs in 2014. Then they signed Stephenson in the offseason and a lot of people projected them to take the next step the following year, but instead they regressed and missed the playoffs altogether. I can at least see the potential for a similar narrative with Milwaukee this season.

I think they will miss Jared dudley more than people realize, just like Charlotte missed Josh mcroberts last year. I thought Brandon knight was a better fit for their roster than carter-williams. I’m not sure they can get by defensively with a parker-monroe frontcourt. This is a young team with very little playoff experience and they traded away 2 of their most influential veterans in pacuila and dudley. I love the overall potential of this roster but there could be some growing pains.

 

[Author]

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