RealGM

Jazz9 wrote:The Lillard trade has been pretty disappointing for both parties so far.
Bucks haven't gotten better at all and the Blazers' future doesn't seem promising either

But, hey, it did work out pretty good for Boston - so.....Thanks Bucks!!!!!

One_and_Done wrote:As long as they're healthy they have a chance. They've had health issues the last 2 years, and 3 if we're being honest given how 2022 ended. They actually haven't lost a series healthy since they won the title.

If healthy is a big ask if you need all of Giannis, Lillard, Middleton AND Brook Lopez to be healthy at the same time, so not very likely.

WestGOAT wrote:

One_and_Done wrote:As long as they're healthy they have a chance. They've had health issues the last 2 years, and 3 if we're being honest given how 2022 ended. They actually haven't lost a series healthy since they won the title.

If healthy is a big ask if you need all of Giannis, Lillard, Middleton AND Brook Lopez to be healthy at the same time, so not very likely.

Not really? These guys have mostly good health track records. Giannis is mostly in good health, Lopez has been healthy 9 of the last 10 years, Lillard's health profile is pretty good given he was mostly held out with fake injuries the last 2 years to tank and he's been an iron man outside of that. The only notable injury risk is Middleton, who has been hobbled by his recent injuries (prior to that he was an iron man too), but ironically he seems fine at the moment. The Bucks have just been unlucky.

Giannis untimely health issues makes it look closed -

The rest of the guys getting better and you gotta expect Philly nyk and Boston to improve - plus Miami always one guy away… Orlando coming - Cleveland could be better -

Yeah feeling like it’s closing unfortunately

And we never got Giannis vs jokic

Bucks are one of the oldest teams in the league and has injury issues comes playoff time.

The rest of the East is also getting better, esp the younger teams like Orlando, Indiana, Knicks, etc
Charlotte will get there sooner or later if healthy.

Also, crazy FO moves in recent years firing coaches left and right. No stability.

Bucks will still be an elite team in the East, but father time is catching up.

As long as Giannis plays like a top 5 player, the window isn't closed.

I think it's probably closed, but they'll have one more season with this group. Maybe they'll figure it out

So dude on the general board told us over and over regular season didn't matter and the bucks were clearly going to the finals this year. No matter what happened, or how bad they were, or that they hired doc.

Whoever you were, time to come in and say, my bad, you all were right. And bucks window closed last year.

They should blow it up

Special_Puppy wrote:As long as Giannis plays like a top 5 player, the window isn't closed.

Giannis has missed playoff games in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 postseasons. That’s the issue. Being hurt in the playoffs four of 5 years is the concern and it won’t get any easier when he is in his 30’s.

jkvonny wrote:Bucks are one of the oldest teams in the league and has injury issues comes playoff time.

The rest of the East is also getting better, esp the younger tams like Orlando, Indiana, Knicks, etc
Charlotte will get there sooner or later if healthy.

Also, crazy FO moves in recent years firing coaches left and right. No stability.

Bucks will still be an elite team in the East, but father time is catching up.

I agree with this gentleman.

Darth Celtic wrote:So dude on the general board told us over and over regular season didn't matter and the bucks were clearly going to the finals this year. No matter what happened, or how bad they were, or that they hired doc.

Whoever you were, time to come in and say, my bad, you all were right. And bucks window closed last year.

That the guy who ended every post saying Bucks in 6 lol

Yes. Wish I saved some of those threads

Stick a fork in us. And savor gettin dunked on when everyone's back.

Your title window is never completely closed when you have one of the 5 best players in the NBA still very much in his prime.

Yes. Giannis really needs to collude and head to Chicago to form a dynasty with other players.

Is Giannis gonna be banged up again next playoffs? He's been sneaky unhealthy for a while now.

No I think they could trade for guard defense in offseason.

As the roster currently is, yes. But they still have a MVP candidate with some nice complementary pieces in Middleton, Lillard, Lopez, Portis. They need someone better than Beasley and some depth on the bench.

It closed the moment they hired Doc.

And realistically going forward there may never be a time where Dame, Giannis and Middleton are all healthy in the playoffs