The weird and wacky world of basketball! We truly see it all the time now, a great example would be the Bucks. Another one would be the Suns, this is so strange that it is not funny.
If you didn’t listen to our podcast, then you probably didn’t hear about the prediction I made about Giannis and the Bucks.
I predicted that the Bucks were going to have a dunk-fest, mainly Giannis, on the Nets. Sadly, it was the complete opposite. Please share to me how the Nets, who don’t have Dinwiddie, KD, or Kyrie, can beat the Bucks?
Throughout the whole game, especially early on, the Bucks were trailing to the Nets. LUWAWU-CABARROT and Temple combined for 45 points! The Nets, despite horrible roster, are 2-1. The only loss they had was at the hands of the Magic.
Take this into perspective; the Bucks have Giannis, Bledsoe, Middleton, and Korver. But they still couldn’t win, this hasn’t been a pretty sight for the Bucks as they lost back-to-back games. One against the Rockets and now the Nets.
The Nets, who lost their three key players, have been playing their second team/rotational players and winning. On top of that Jamal Crawford came back to the league for his debut as a Net in the Bubble; sadly, it ended short with an apparent hamstring issue.
What are the next two games for both of these teams?
For the Nets, they have to go up against the Celtics. This is happening today on ESPN for anyone that wants to watch. Even though the Nets are riding on the hot-wave of momentum, the Celtics should not lose. The Celtics have Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker. That’s a pretty stacked team, just by looking at those three players.
Now, I will say, there is no advantage here. Meaning this, that both teams are going to be playing back-to-back games. In the sense of yesterday and today, now the Nets are on a two-game win streak while the Celtics aren’t. If the Nets come away with this win, then this is a team to look out for. Because that would make them 3-1, imagine that.
Finally, to the Bucks. On the sixth, the Bucks will be playing the Heat. This could be a tough matchup, but I still have to believe that Giannis and his team will prevail against the Heat. If the Heat doesn’t have Jimmy Butler back, it’s over. Giannis, Middleton, and Bledsoe will run wild in Miami. The Bucks need this for a confidence booster and to get on the path of success.
The underdogs pouncing viciously!
I’m not kidding when I use that phrase, the Suns are the ultimate underdogs and have been pouncing on their prey (meaning opponents). The Suns yesterday, closed out an epic game against the Clippers. Where Devin Booker hit the game-winner, winning it 117-115. Booker was explosive from the arc, Ayton was finding his rhythm, and Rubio made things happen passing wise.
The Suns have earned their third win in the Bubble, which makes them 3-0. They are undefeated in the Bubble, this is a miracle unto itself. The eighth seed is wide open now, how? Because teams are losing, the Grizzlies lost Jaren Jackson Jr to an untimely injury, and the Suns just past the Kings with this win today.
If they make it 8-0, which is a higher probability then what it was a month ago, they will be in the playoffs. They have been showing us that without the fans, without practicing for several months, and with a tough schedule; they have been showing us that they are hungry to win. Suns beat the Clippers and the Mavericks, two big-time teams.
With fate, luck, and whatever else is on their side; this could be the Sun’s year in 10 years to reach the playoffs. The talent has been meshing together nicely, players been scoring holding their grounds, and no crucial errors have happened yet. The Suns have the favor on their side, with all this moment they should be able to beat the Pacers this upcoming game.
What do the Pacers need to do to stop them?
This has been the team climbing up the ranks in the Bubble, this is a team that nobody can sleep on. The Pacers need to focus their attention on Booker, he has been having the hot-hand lately. The Pacers need to trap him, not letting him create his own shots, and especially when driving. If they fail then Booker will be getting all the attention and leaving DeAndre or Rubio open for the easy basket.
This certainly will be interesting on how the rest unfolds, it feels like everything has been swapped. Like the Bucks are playing like the Suns and the Suns like the Bucks. Either way, the Bucks are in the playoffs. Have one of the best records in the league, and the Suns are fighting for a spot. The underdogs have now put themselves on notice. The radar is beeping fast, can teams respond quick enough?
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According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, after informing teams they were officially not trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks have traded Cole Anthony to the Phoenix Suns for Nick Richards.
The full terms of this transaction sees Milwaukee landing Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis, with Phoenix landing Anthony and Amir Coffey.
In addition to the Suns getting rid of Richards and helping their backcourt, they were able to get below the luxury tax. The last time this organization was below the luxury tax was back in the 2021-22 season.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks have been told by Giannis Antetokounmpo that he is ready to leave the organization and take his talents elsewhere. This is nine months in the making, says Charania.
Whether it is at the deadline or in the offseason, the era of the Greek Freak is coming to an end. Despite the request by the 31-year-old, Milwaukee will remain patient and wait for the best deal possible.
Per multiple reports, the Bucks are looking for blue-chip players and several draft picks. If they wait until June, then the franchise could get better offers.
Since this offseason, and the reported almost-happening trade to the New York Knicks, Antetokounmpo’s relationship with the Bucks have been very shaky and unstable. Many teams have been bracing for him to finally want out, which has been the center of attention for this year’s trade deadline.
While Antetokounmpo has made it clear he loves this organization and the city of Milwaukee, him and general manager Jon Horst have help numerous discussions on if he remains a good fit for this organization.
After months of back and forth, reports, and trade speculation, Antetokounmpo has made the decision to leave and begin a new chapter in his career.
On October 1st, he will become eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million supermax extension.
According to multiple reports circulating the NBA currently, the Milwaukee Bucks have not considered the possibility of shutting down Giannis Antetokounmpo for the remainder of the season. Even though he has been dealing with a lingering calf injury for an extended period of time.
“There’s no thought to that,” Rivers said. “But listen, there’s no timetable either.”
Antetokounmpo said the Bucks would have him sidelined for four-to-six weeks due to his recent calf strain injury.
With February 5th’s trade deadline looming around the corner, many are speculating and holding their breathe on what will happen. Reports have consistency been up and down, some say Antetokounmpo has played his final game, while others are saying he will be a Buck for the foreseeable future.
Teams like the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks have reportedly been interested in acquiring the NBA champion.
Milwaukee is 3-11 without the 31-year-old in the lineup.
