Unfortunately, I’m not sure this game will be able to count.
When that happens, as we’ve been told foryearsnow, nothing in regard to the Bucks counts.
I know, I know, that makes no sense.
I mean think about it.
The Bucks (just like the Knicks) revamped their roster to improve their wing defense.
They added shooting and guys who were upgrades over their roster last year.
I’ll just ask you.
How did the Bucks' perimeter/wing defense look last night?
Dame is still getting attacked at will defensively.
What does that tell you?
It tells you that the 4-0 champs are a goddamn wagon.
Their winning the East by 14 games last year was not an accident.
As we know, they are always watching.
Are you going to tell me Pritchard isn’t earning some Basketball God karma with a move like this?
Just remember this the next time we see a Pritchard full court heave go in.
It all matters/adds up.
Fast forward to last night, and what do we see?
Well well well…..would you look at that.
Once again, Payton Pritchard went out and buried the Milwaukee Bucks.
What makes a night like this so great is the fact that it’s not an outlier.
This is what Payton Pritchard does.
Sure you did Doc.
Of course he would.
Not that I give a shit of course, but it really is an embarrassment of riches.
A true pick your poison roster where everyone who touches the floor can torch you for 25+.
God bless Danny Ainge, God bless Brad Stevens.
- Finally, Jrue Holiday buried his old team.
The first game OK, that was probably weird.
How many times did we see Holiday get to the rim late?
See why point of attack/wing defense is so important while playing the Celtics?
If you don’t have it, they will exploit you in the biggest moments.
It’s death no matter what path you choose.
- There is not a better Giannis defender on planet Earth than Al Horford.
Even now, at age 38, Al Horford had Giannis in absolute hell.
Sure there were times when Giannis scored in transition, but overall?
Al Horford once again proved to be a challenge that Giannis can’t seem to solve.
In 39 total possessions, Horford held Giannis to just 6-15 shooting (40%).
Find me another defender who can do anything remotely close to this as consistently as Horford.
Nobody in the NBA does better at staying attache, being physical, and contesting without fouling than Horford.
It’s why he also owns Joel Embiid.
Again, this isn’t surprising, as we have all watched this go on for years now.
When these big games come up, can you raise your game and dominate?
What I loved about Jaylen is that he didn’t settle.
Example 2848754 of why you need sufficient wing defenders while playing the Celtics.
If you’re free to’t stop their wings, you stand no chance.
This is also something that people who scream “all the Celtics do is shoot 3s!”
can’t seem to understand.
Mazzulla Ball is about adapting to whatever works in any given situation on any given possession.
If that means an open 3?
You take it with confidence.
If that means attack the paint?
You do it with force.
Trading 2s for 3s while playing the Celtics simply isn’t going to work.
This doesn’t just go for the Bucks, it goes for anyone.
- Really impressed with the Jordan Walsh minutes.
Not that he did anything overly insane, but he was solid.
If you’re playable against the Bucks, you’re playable against anyone moving forward.
While I would like to see him hit his open corner 3s, I imagine that comes with confidence.
Good defense, active on the offensive glass, willingness to shoot when open and no major mistakes.
Someone has to fill that wing bench role after Hauser, and Walsh made the most of his opportunity.
I can live with allowing around 108 a night, and to me they looked much more locked in.
The energy was great, the communication was solid, and everyone thrived in their role.
- If we’ve said it once we’ve said it a thousand times.
Then on the other end, everything was a foul for MIL.
This wasn’t quite at that level.
- Listen, nobody likes complaining about the refs, but what the fuck.
He is legitimately the devil.
Not big enough to handle Lopez, not quick enough to handle dribble drives.
If not, play Queta.
Listen, we’re trying to make history here and point differential matters.
Some may think garbage time is useless, but not me.
I want the net rating boost.
But hey, 4-0 is 4-0.
