Camille Davis and Justin Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Bucks podcast, with your daily Locked On Bucks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Bucks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Can the Milwaukee Bucks Overcome Their Slow Start?
Nov 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images|Ken Blaze/Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Milwaukee Bucks: Still Attempting to Navigate Early Season Challenges
The Milwaukee Bucks are off to a rocky start this season, standing at 1-6. This has sparked discussions about the role of young players and the potential shift in team dynamics. As we analyze the current situation, it’s clear that integrating younger talent could be a key to turning things around.
Young Players and Rotation Adjustments
The Bucks’ slow start has intensified calls for more involvement from younger players. Fans have been eager to see more of A.J. Green and Andre Jackson Jr., especially given the team’s struggles. Green, in particular, has shown promise with his shooting and defensive capabilities, making a strong case for increased playing time. His performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers highlighted his potential, as he confidently took shots and played solid defense.
The challenge lies in finding the right balance in the rotation. With veterans like Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis not consistently delivering, there’s a growing argument for giving the younger players more minutes. Connaughton, despite a decent game against the Cavaliers, needs to show more consistency. Meanwhile, Portis, although statistically impressive, has areas that need improvement, particularly in defense.
The Impact of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Absence
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence in recent games has further complicated the Bucks’ rotation. His minutes are crucial, and without him, the team has had to adjust significantly. Bobby Portis stepped up in Giannis’s place, but the team still struggled to find a rhythm. The absence of such a key player underscores the need for others to step up and fill the void.
The Bucks’ coaching staff, led by Doc Rivers, is tasked with finding the right mix of players to maximize performance. Rivers has emphasized the importance of consequences for players not executing effectively, suggesting that changes in the lineup could be imminent. The focus is on finding a rotation that can deliver results, especially in the absence of key players like Giannis.
As the Bucks navigate these early-season challenges, the emphasis is on improvement and adaptation. The team has the talent and potential to turn things around, but it requires strategic adjustments and a commitment to leveraging the strengths of both veteran and young players.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Milwaukee Bucks’ early season challenges, tune into the Locked On Bucks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bucks Podcast:
- The significance of the Bucks’ recent losses and their impact on team morale.
- Analysis of the Bucks’ defensive strategies and areas for improvement.
- Discussion on the potential return of Khris Middleton and its implications for the team.
- Insights into the Bucks’ upcoming games and what to expect from their opponents.
Sports fandom has long been a vehicle of escape, basketball fandom perhaps even more so. If you’re someone who toggles between NBA and WNBA, then you’ll never have a break in games you can escape into. If you’re purely an NBA watcher, then the league has done its willful best to make its product one that runs all year round, even if the games themselves take a break. If you’re even a little online then you can find something NBA-related to get excited/upset/anxious/overworked about any day the year, even in the deepest dregs of August.
Escapism is fine as a temporary measure. There’s no person alive that doesn’t seek it out in some shape or form, sometime. In basketball fandom the dangers of treating the game, and the people who play it, as a pure means of escape run fairly parallel to the dangers of this political moment.
To lose sight of the humanity of athletes, to range on the spectrum of othering to nullification of their personhood; to assume a franchise has only your interests as its sole, driving concern. To put so much stake into the outcome of a game, a season, that anything outside of pure dominance and control is considered failure. To take on defeat as a personality trait and grow miserable, hostile, blame serving both as vitriolic release and an easy balm.
This is perhaps a clumsy attempt to address the U.S. election results last night in a newsletter about NBA basketball, but it seemed a perfect encapsulation of my point of blind escapism to write about OKC’s pestering defence, or Joel Embiid’s three game suspension after shoving a reporter, and make no mention of Donald Trump’s second ascension.
Basketball isn’t apolitical. No sport is, but the NBA hasn’t been for a long time. Shut up and dribble, stop-work protests in the Orlando Bubble led by athletes personally the target of police brutality, taking a knee. Even when it isn’t trying to be, it is, because it’s a game played by people and beyond that, predominantly Black men. In October 1979, when the Knicks paired their roster from 13 players down to 11 — a move required by league regulation — media and fans jumped on the move because the remaining team became the first all Black roster in the league. “White people have to have white heroes,” Cavs owner, Ted Stepien said at the time, “I myself can’t equate to Black heroes, I’ll be truthful. I respect them, but I need white people.”
Being the target of someone’s desire for escapism can be enough to turn something from the political to the personal, and vice versa. We’re seeing a new iteration of it now with the rise of sports betting and the blurring of boundaries between athletes and fans, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar saw and put it succinctly in the early 1970s. “Out there, you’re a vector for all the hostility in the stands,” he said.
As a conduit for escape, there are no political prerequisites. Fandom isn’t barred from you based on your voting patterns. There may be an urge now, regardless of how you hoped (even as an observer, as I am) this election ended up, to burrow into basketball as escape, almost as a reflexive action. The distinct humanitarian fracturing at play not only in this election but on a global scale, this onus of “us vs.them”, or blame over solution (blame as solution), the narrowing of scope to only have your own interests at heart, is all a symptom of escapism. Just as it’s crucial as an engaged fan to not lose sight of an athlete’s personhood, the same goes, albeit on a decidedly more critical scale, in the wider world.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Odds The Milwaukee Bucks face long odds as they attempt to overcome their challenging 1-6 start to the season. (Sports Illustrated)
Personnel Doc Rivers sheds light on Rajon Rondo’s unique coaching role with the Bucks, emphasizing his strategic input. (Sports Illustrated)
Must Read Over the years, the NBA has learned to embrace activism and social justice. Read more. (TIME)
Legacy Reflecting on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s impact — here’s how he changed the rules for Black athletes. (National Endowment for the Humanities)
Analysis How did Sterling Brown get the NBA to listen to its players? (The Daily Beast)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Replacements For Jeremy Sochan & Aaron Gordon
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena.|Photo by Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
As we gear up for another action-packed Wednesday with 12 NBA games, it’s crucial to stay updated on player statuses and potential fantasy basketball moves. Injuries are shaking up lineups, and knowing who to add or drop can make all the difference in your fantasy league.
Key Injuries and Player Additions
Aaron Gordon’s calf strain is a significant blow, sidelining him for an estimated four weeks. This opens up opportunities for Peyton Watson, who is expected to see increased minutes, making him a valuable addition to your roster. Julian Strawther might also benefit, but Watson is the priority pick.
Jeremy Sochan’s thumb fracture is another long-term injury, likely keeping him out for six to eight weeks. In his absence, Julian Champagnie emerges as a strong candidate for increased playing time. While Keldon Johnson might be a points league preference, Champagnie is a solid choice across formats.
Nick Richards is dealing with fractured rib cartilage, sidelining him for at least two weeks. With Mark Williams also out, the Hornets will likely start Taj Gibson, but he’s not a recommended fantasy add. Instead, keep an eye on Grant Williams, who could be a viable option in deeper leagues.
Game Previews and Strategic Considerations
The Detroit Pistons face the Charlotte Hornets, with the Hornets slightly favoured. Jalen Duren’s recent performances have been promising, but his minutes might be capped, allowing Isaiah Stewart to continue his role as a backup centre. Stewart’s current role suits him well, and he’s performing admirably in it.
For the Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller’s dynamics are worth monitoring. Ball’s interactions with Charles Lee and Miller’s reduced minutes and shooting are areas of concern. Miles Bridges’ performance has been underwhelming, but improvement is expected.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bucks podcasts.
Milwaukee Bucks drop sixth straight game after losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-116 | Bucks drop to 1-6 The Milwaukee Bucks are off to a rocky start, sitting at 1-6 in the Eastern Conference after a 116-114 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. With star players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton sidelined, the Bucks almost stole this game but had too many lapses late in the fourth quarter.
The Milwaukee Bucks drop to 1-5 despite dynamic performances from Giannis and Dame Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard combined for an impressive 75 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers, showcasing their growing chemistry. However, the Bucks’ bench struggles continue. The Bucks’ transition play shows promise, but a tough schedule looms as they seek consistency.
Milwaukee Bucks drop fourth straight game after 99-122 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies The Milwaukee Bucks are now 1-4 after dropping their fourth game in a row, this time to the Memphis Grizzlies. As the Bucks continue playing through a tough schedule, including a matchup against the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers, they must address these early-season challenges to regain their footing
