The Biggest Offseason Questions for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks - Sports Illustrated | Canada News Media
Connect with us

Sports

The Biggest Offseason Questions for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks – Sports Illustrated

Published

4 years ago

 on


What does the future hold for Milwaukee? Rohan Nadkarni answers the biggest questions the Bucks face.

Two years as the No. 1 seed in the East, two disappointing playoff exits that come before the Finals.

The Bucks were eliminated from the postseason Tuesday, losing in five games in the second round to the five-seed Heat. Milwaukee never quite reached the heights it was at during the regular season during its time in Orlando, and its playoff exit came with reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined for his team’s final game due to a sprained ankle. With the Bucks failing to make the Finals for the second straight year—and Giannis set to be a free agent in 2021—there’s already rampant speculation about what the future holds for Milwaukee. (Antetokounmpo told Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday he wouldn’t request a trade this summer, without giving word on if he’ll sign a supermax extension to remain with his current club beyond next season.) As the Bucks prepare for an uncertain few months from a team and league perspective (what is next season even going to look like?), this offseason should serve as a critical re-evaluation of the current situation.

Will Mike Budenholzer Be Brought Back?

Let’s start with the lowest-hanging fruit. Budenholzer, Milwaukee’s head coach, deserves credit for bringing a spacier attack to the Bucks last season and helping push Giannis’s game to new heights. Dating back to his time in Atlanta, Budenholzer has a knack for extracting the most out of his teams during the regular season. But the second round was a poor showing for the coach. He was outclassed by Erik Spoelstra, whose disciplined defense executed a perfect gameplan to slow down Antetokounmpo, and the Bucks couldn’t adjust fast enough before the series got out of hand. Beyond the x’s and o’s, Budenholzer’s rigid rotations also meant Giannis and All-Star running mate Khris Middleton played confusingly fewer minutes than most other players of their caliber in a playoff series—particularly for one in which they were playing catch-up. All of this is to say, it’s very likely Budenholzer could be the first fall guy for Milwaukee’s disappointing exit.

And yet, hiring a new coach doesn’t immediately fix the Bucks’ problems. Can they find someone who Giannis will trust in a possible contract year? Who are the creative minds currently on the market? Can Milwaukee attract a great coach if Giannis isn’t signed long term? I would be surprised if Budenholzer is brought back after how Milwaukee’s season ended. He’s still a very accomplished coach, and replacing him wouldn’t be a simple task.

What Can Giannis Add to His Game?

In what ended up being the last few moments of what will likely be another MVP season, Giannis was huffing and puffing as he tried to stave off elimination in Game 4. Before hurting his ankle, the Greek Freak was having his most impactful game of the series, scoring 19 points in only 11 minutes. It sounds unfair to ask Antetokounmpo—the Defensive Player of the Year!—to do even more. Still, the loss to Miami revealed how even a player of his stature can be slowed down in the postseason.

Giannis doesn’t need to shoot threes, though a reliable elbow jumper would go a long way in stopping defenses from walling him out of the paint. Antetokounmpo will never be Kevin Durant from the midrange, but a consistent foul-line jumper will force defenses to play closer to him as opposed to sitting in the restricted area—which would be a win for Antetokounmpo. Bam Adebayo hit short jumpers over Brook Lopez frequently in the second round. He’s not a three-point shooter in the slightest. Giannis adding even that little bit of range to his repertoire could be a game-changer.

It’s also fair to ask if Giannis is best utilized in his current role. Obviously the Bucks had an incredible offense during the regular season, and even scored fairly well against Miami. Milwaukee doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. On a more philosophical level however, should Giannis be playing closer to a wingish, perimeter player as he is now? Or should he be more of a screener, on-the-block, center-ish type player? There are arguments for both. And maybe he doesn’t even need to pick one. Whatever he decides, Giannis adding more elements to his game that aren’t predicated on shooting threes could help unlock even another level of effectiveness.

How Does Milwaukee Improve the Rest of the Roster?

Another issue for the Bucks in the second round was, outside of Giannis and Middleton, the limitations of the rest of the roster. Milwaukee generates great drive-and-kick looks because of Antetokounmpo, but he’s generally kicking out to a cast of slightly below-average three-point shooters. The Bucks lack a natural point guard and/or playmaker who can take advantage of defenses that load up on Giannis. And the supporting cast largely lacks the creativity of other contenders, who generally have a role player or two who can heat up and carry the offense for a brief stretch.

Identifying the issues is one thing, figuring out how to solve them is another. GM Jon Horst will probably regret trading Malcolm Brogdon last summer for the rest of his tenure. Not only is Brogdon a better player than current point guard Eric Bledsoe—who struggled for his third straight postseason—he also could have become a valuable trade chip once signed. As presently constructed, Milwaukee is bereft of assets to improve the team. The Bucks have no cap space. Players like George Hill and Brook Lopez, while solid, may not be as valuable to other teams on the trade market. Because of a small guarantee in 2022, Bledsoe really only has two seasons left on his contract, and even then it could be hard to move.

So what do the Bucks do? Hope they can find shooting in free agency through cap exceptions and veteran minimums. With a force like Giannis generating so many open looks, Milwaukee needs to be top-ten in three-point percentage next year. And moving Middleton has to be considered. He’s the only player on the team who could fetch a big return. The Bucks should not feel compelled to move him. On the other hand, if he can fetch a star like Chris Paul, or multiple valuable pieces, a Middleton trade should at least be on the table. Moving on from him would be tough, particularly after how he grew into an All-Star alongside Giannis. Ultimately, the Bucks’ season was a letdown for the second straight year. After consecutive frustrating finishes, trying to run the same cast back for the third time in a row would be even more disappointing. 

Let’s block ads! (Why?)



Source link

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

 on

November 8, 2024

By

 

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

 on

November 8, 2024

By

 

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

 on

November 8, 2024

By

 

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version