Post by zjd on Jan 22, 2024 4:15:30 GMT
If you would have told me the Vegas odds that the NBN Bucks would miss the 23-24 FBB playoffs, I’d guesstimate about 50-1. There was simply no way a team with Dame Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo were missing the playoffs. The team had a weakness going into last year at the 3, but Brook Lopez was a solid 5 and Jrue Holiday was brought in to be a defensive star at the 2 guard. Somehow, Jrue Holiday was about the worst player in the entire league, and the Bucks season quickly went off the rails. The Bucks just had no real skill at the wings, with Seth Lundy (who?) seemingly playing as their best wing player all season.
The team made some trades that were solid. Getting rid of Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton’s contracts enabled the team to be where we’re at now. We had to get get rid of any questionable contracts to make room for a 3rd star to join Giannis and Dame. The team also made some deals that backfired, Jrue obviously being the biggest, getting rid of Malik Beasley and even Cam Payne trades had some regret.
The biggest lesson for Bucks GM zjd in season 1 was to focus less on player name value - and be a bit more hesitant to make major trades without seeing a sim. Jrue Holiday sucked, and MLE signing Dorian Finney-Smith was just as shockingly bad. These are 2 all-nba defensive caliber players - that just weren’t it in season 1.
The team made some good roster shakeups - adding Christian Wood and Kevin Love who are now key depth pieces moving into this season. They also acquired Fred Van Vleet for a package including Jrue Holiday. Even with that move, the Bucks were only able to go 41-41 in the season. Damian Lillard missed the final 20 games to injury and with that, the Bucks arguably had the most disappointing season of anyone. A trade for Jrue Holiday - who was supposed to be a key difference maker in a push for a title, instead became the consolation prize for a lottery pick. Going into year 2, there was some thought into blowing it all up. But instead, GM zjd put all the chips on the table.
Kevin Durant was acquired for Fred VanVleet, two future unprotected first round picks, and cash. The trade will unite NBN’s two highest rated PF’s. Giannis will move to playing Center, and KD will become the primary offensive weapon. The team also acquired defensive minded wing Lu Dort. The Bucks are hoping the core of Dame, Dort, KD, and Giannis can make up for last season’s disappointments. We’ll see what moves zjd continues to make in free agency as well as potential trade talks. One thing is clear - the Bucks have gone all in, and now we must wait for the flop.
The team made some trades that were solid. Getting rid of Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton’s contracts enabled the team to be where we’re at now. We had to get get rid of any questionable contracts to make room for a 3rd star to join Giannis and Dame. The team also made some deals that backfired, Jrue obviously being the biggest, getting rid of Malik Beasley and even Cam Payne trades had some regret.
The biggest lesson for Bucks GM zjd in season 1 was to focus less on player name value - and be a bit more hesitant to make major trades without seeing a sim. Jrue Holiday sucked, and MLE signing Dorian Finney-Smith was just as shockingly bad. These are 2 all-nba defensive caliber players - that just weren’t it in season 1.
The team made some good roster shakeups - adding Christian Wood and Kevin Love who are now key depth pieces moving into this season. They also acquired Fred Van Vleet for a package including Jrue Holiday. Even with that move, the Bucks were only able to go 41-41 in the season. Damian Lillard missed the final 20 games to injury and with that, the Bucks arguably had the most disappointing season of anyone. A trade for Jrue Holiday - who was supposed to be a key difference maker in a push for a title, instead became the consolation prize for a lottery pick. Going into year 2, there was some thought into blowing it all up. But instead, GM zjd put all the chips on the table.
Kevin Durant was acquired for Fred VanVleet, two future unprotected first round picks, and cash. The trade will unite NBN’s two highest rated PF’s. Giannis will move to playing Center, and KD will become the primary offensive weapon. The team also acquired defensive minded wing Lu Dort. The Bucks are hoping the core of Dame, Dort, KD, and Giannis can make up for last season’s disappointments. We’ll see what moves zjd continues to make in free agency as well as potential trade talks. One thing is clear - the Bucks have gone all in, and now we must wait for the flop.
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