europa2846

The one thing I was afraid of was that the Bucks would be embarrassed in
this series by the Pistons. Well, they're off to a great start on that count.
It's one thing to get beat, it's another thing to be outclassed. The Bucks were
outclassed today. Totally outclassed and embarrassed.
One of the most obvious things this game could proved was the Bucks miss
Ford so badly. The PG play in this game by Jones and Knight was atrocious. If
for some reason Ford's injury becomes career ending, the Bucks need to find a
legitimate starting PG ASAP otherwise they'll be a lottery team next season.
That's how good Ford is and how important he was to this team next season.
Redd and Mason were nowhere to be found today when the game was stil in
doubt. Poor games by both players. I'll continue to harp on it because nobody
else seems to be noticing it, but Ford's absence hurts Redd more than anybody.
He simply isn't getting as many easy shots without Ford as he did with him. But
that's still no excuse for all of Redd's turnovers. I like the fact he
continued to attack the basket, but he must do a better job of securing the
ball. Then again, so should everybody on the Bucks' roster since the TOs today
were absolutely ridiculous. Mason was totally taken out of his game and a
non-factor before stepping up in the meaningless fourth quarter.
Porter needs to start Van Horn from here on out. The Bucks do not have many
matchup advantages in this series at all (the only one they have -- the SG spot
-- was wiped out today by a very good game by Rip Hamilton), but Van Horn at
the 3 spot offensively could be one to try and exploit. Given how the Bucks are
now 6-6 since Van Horn left the starting lineup and have lost four straight,
I'm not really sure how anyone could argue against going back to Van Horn and
see if he can get back to the level he was at before his injury.
Speaking of lineup changes, Strickland needs to be the backup PG from here
on out and if Jones continues to play poorly than Strickland should get the
bulk of the minutes at the PG spot. Porter needs to learn from Karl's mistakes
and not allow your stubborn belief in prior rotations to bring your season to
an end.
I think the game was lost in the second quarter when Porter stuck with Kukoc
for the entire 12 minutes and left Smith and Skinner on the bench. One of those
guys, or both of them, needed to be on the floor to try and match the interior
presence the Pistons bring to the floor. Porter tried to get the game in his
favor with offensive matchups, but it didn't work. He should've realized it
wasn't working at about the 6 or 7-minute mark of the quarter and made the
switch. Instead, he stuck with it and the game was essentially over at that
point.
I don't think I could name a single player who played well for the Bucks
today. If I had to name someone, I'd say Smith came the closest. Nobody else
deserves mention.
The Bucks simply lack confidence right now. You can see their uncertainty
and confusion. Their body language does not suggest a team that believes it can
win. Instead, they look like a team hoping not to lose. Right now, their big
concern is not finding a way to win this series, but prevent themselves from
being swept.
Pretty pathetic showing, but we've seen quite a few of those lately, so this
wasn't too much of a surprise.

g. smitts

TJ needs surgery. I read when he was first diagnosed with a spine
problem, surgery was recommended. He passed it up to give his
body time to heal itself, to a point it did.

But it's now obvious that TJ has an easily aggravated spine
problem that needs to be fixed by Surgeons.

subsonic

I agree. Hopefully Mason wouldn't be insulted, and the move woudn't be
meant as a diss to him anyway. I just think he is more versatile and can
come off the bench and bring some energy. Also ...


I agree that this didn't work out but I don't think the game was lost in
the 2nd quarter. It was the starters throwing the ball all over the
place in the 3rd that sealed our fate. But if Van Horn starts and plays
more minutes in the first, then he and Kukoc won't be on the court
together so much in the second, which would be a blessing for the Bucks.
I do think the Pistons can exploit their athleticism and physicality
against those two. I'd play Van Horn for most of the first, and then
have Mason and Kukoc and Smith or Skinner or Gaz for a good part of the
second. Or even let Desmond play some guard when Kukoc is on the court,
since Kukoc can help out with ball handling and running the O.


Yeah, it looks grim. What is disheartening is that I don't really see
Porter trying anything different over the last few games. Just the same
look, same substitution pattern, and it's not working.

Sub

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europa2846

That's the way I see it as well. I love Desmond Mason's game, no doubt about
it. But he's proven he can excel coming off the bench whereas Van Horn just
does not look comfortable in that role at all. So I don't see the harm in
putting Van Horn back into the starting lineup. Also, prior to his injury, Van
Horn was playing some terrific ball, averaging more than 20 points and 7
rebounds per game and shooting better than 53% from the field for a 13-game
stretch. It's not like he lost his starting job due to poor play.
I think the Bucks could exploit Prince defensively better with Van Horn in
the starting lineup as opposed to Mason. The Bucks are going to need Van Horn
in this series and the only way they may get good production out of him is to
put him back in the starting lineup.

That's true, but the Pistons took complete control of the game in the second
quarter. The Bucks just sealed the deal with their careless play in the third.

I agree. That pairing simply doesn't work at all very well. And I don't
think this is a team you want to use Kukoc against at the 4 spot. Keep him at
the 3 when he's on the floor with Mason at the 2 spot.


I posted something in another Bucks forum where I said basically the exact
same thing. What I want to see from Porter are firm and decisive substitution
decisions from here on out. Everybody's on a short leash because this team is
three games away from starting their summer vacation. I thought Porter's
coaching in the second quarter and early in the third (when it was clear Jones
should've been parked firmly on the bench about 1 minute into the quarter) left
a lot to be desired today.


The problem is I can see the Pistons trapping the hell out of that and forcing more TOs.

That's what bothers me as well. The Bucks are 6-6 in their last 12 games
with four straight humiliating defeats. What's been the one rotation change in
that time? Mason for Van Horn. I'm not blaming Mason for the poor play at all
and I'm certainly not saying returning Van Horn to the starting lineup is going
to magically cure everything that ails the Bucks. But he was playing well
before the injury, so it seems like the smart and logical move to make to try
and get the Bucks back on track. And Strickland needs to be the backup PG from
here on out with Knight only being used in an emergency. And if Jones keeps
playing like horseshit, than Strickland should get the majority of the minutes
at the position.

aj

Lets put it this way, I have never witnessed such a lopsided playoff
game... the first quarter they kept them within their reach... but
after that is was just head slap after head slap of the worst
basketball I have seen since a local girl's junior high school played
their championship game in overtime...

Your being kind... they where shit-faced drunk cripples playing
against an elite army of omega-men...


If I was Damon Jones or Knight today I wouldn't be able to look into
the mirror... How do you call yourself a point guard in the NBA,
getting paid millions, and you can't bring the ball into the second
1/2 of the court... or create some easy shots for your guys... I never
thought this is where we would lose the game, thought it would be
Skinner & Smith being man-handled in the post... but Jesus they
couldn't even get the ball to the other side... No ref blame-game
here...

TJ you are truely missed my friend... get well soon...


I am just shocked, as great a job as Harris has done as GM this year,
why he couldn't get a hold of anyone besides Knight... I never saw
anything special in him... he was great off the bench when Damon was
kicking ass, but when Damon falls, the domino affect passes up
Strickland & they all look 3'rd rate...

I thought Mason did ok... Redd was horrible... I don't know if his
nerves are shot... but he has been making some horrible decision
making as of late... is he trying to do too much? I don't get him...
It seemed like every replay in the 3'rd quarter he was turning it
over... most of the turn overs I saw where just slipping out of his
hands as he did a spin move towards the basket... the moments he did
get it in there Wallace or Wallace or even ****in Prince was there to
swat it out like a bat from hell...

I think you hit it right on the head... Ford made Redd a better
player, they complimented each other well... If TJ was out the first
1/2 of the season, I am sure Redd would not be an All Star, but that
probablywould have been better for us now, because Ford would be
playing... wishfull thinking...

You know I felt that too... His shots where off, but when he starts,
his shots are always good... I don't get what Porter's thinking was
there... was it because of his injuries he didn't start him... how do
you keep Tony K. in for 12 straight minutes???

I think seeing how poorly Damon was getting beat, within 3 minutes I
would have called Knight in... within 1 minute of that stupid move I
would have had Strickland come in... and never had the rest of them
return... shit if he ****ed it up, I would have sent Haslip in... he
probably would have done better yesturday then Jones & Knight...

He needs to change up the rotations & quick... dont be a one trick
pony now... get desperate & so some crazy shit... I mean we are
looking at an embaressing sweep here...

Understatement... but at what point do you, as a team, as a player
just say "**** it, we losing anyway, let me go out with a bang.." &
just start taking some chances..."

europa2846

It was definitely very pathetic. But I don't know if it was any more
pathetic than the putrid performance by the Bucks in Game 5 vs. the Nets last
year. That one was at the Bradley Center.


I'd say that sums it up rather succinctly.

I think Smith and Skinner are getting a bad rap here. I think they can hold
up decent against the Wallaces. They certainly did in the first quarter. As far
as Jones and Knight, you're right -- they should be embarrassed to be
professionals after how poor they played.

I hope he's back for the start of next season. This team has a chance to be
real good with him.

Agreed. I've never cared for Knight and I'm not really sure why Harris
signed him. It's been the one move Harris has made that hasn't worked out.


Did you see my post about Ford and Redd? Check it out. I don't think any
player on the roster misses Ford more than Redd. He is struggling to get easy
shots and he's definitely pressing. The good news is I think he's going to
learn from this and be even better next season. His history strongly indicates
that will be the case.

The entire offense misses Ford's ability to break down a defense and get
easy shots for his teammates. But Redd misses him most of all. And there's no
way the Bucks have 25 freaking TOs with Ford on the floor. Just ain't gonna
happen.


That boggled my mind. Kukoc was not playing well and Smith and Skinner had
both played well in the first quarter. One or both of them needed to get back
on the floor in the second quarter.
As far as Van Horn, I'm not sure what Porter is thinking either. Van Horn
has played well as a starter, but poorly as a reserve; Mason has thrived off
the bench. The Bucks are 6-6 and have lost 4 straight since Van Horn left the
starting lineup. I don't know what Porter is waiting for. That's a change that
needs to be made.

He couldn't have done worse, that's for sure. It'll be interesting to see if
Porter gives Strickland a chance to play if Jones and/or Knight stink again.
Sadly, I'm guessing he won't.


Yup. Four straight humiliating defeats ought to be enough for him to realize
the status quo isn't going to cut it.

How about Wednesday night?