RSS Bucks Team Notes

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Ranking The Roster: Kevin Porter Jr. becomes important at work at 4th

After arriving via mid-season trade last year from the LA Clippers, Kevin Porter Jr. became a key cog in Milwaukee’s rotation—and will be even more crucial this season. Somehow, the Bucks got Porter, only needing to give up MarJon Beauchamp. Granted, you can see why the Clippers didn’t view KPJ as all that important; he shot 42.3% from the field and 24.5% from three with them. However, Milwaukee seemed a much better fit for Kevin, who looked revitalised in Bucks green, upping those percentages to 49.4% from the field and a blistering (but probably not sustainable) 40.8% from three.

Of course, everyone knows about Porter’s rocky past before coming back to the NBA last year. We know there’s a wealth of talent there; it just needs to be harnessed in the right way. I mostly lauded Kevin’s performance with Milwaukee in the above paragraph, but he did have the odd game where he looked completely unfocused—that can’t happen this year. With no Dame waiting in the wings, the Bucks will ask a lot out of Porter. He’ll need to grow into a real conductor role with this team as the presumed starting point guard; Doc won’t have the luxury of just playing him 10–15 minutes. And is there a chance that strategy is setting both Kevin and the Bucks up to fail? Maybe. But that’s the situation. KPJ will be well and truly thrown into the deep end this season, and we’re all going to find out if he can swim.

Getting more into the on-court specifics, Porter will be crucial as one of the team’s few live-ball playmakers. Passing is a skill that players either have or they don’t; it’s tough to develop. Kevin has it; he just needs to be efficient and limit his turnovers. Porter will need to throw lobs to rolling big men in Giannis and Jericho Sims; he’ll need to build chemistry with the shooting centres in Myles Turner and Bobby Portis. How does he get shooters like AJ Green and Gary Trent involved?

Although I prefer it not to be the case, we know Giannis is likely to have increased usage, but KPJ will also handle the ball fairly often. From a scoring standpoint, you hope Porter has been working on his shot off the catch this offseason, because he’ll need to be better than the 30.8% catch-and-shoot mark he was at last season. I believe he has a natural touch, which is evident when he maneuvers into the mid-range (41.8% on pull-ups last year), but he needs to knock down open shots from deep.

The part of the game I’m maybe most optimistic about for KPJ, though, is on defence. If you are making an optimistic case about the Bucks this season, being one of the top defensive teams really must be part of your argument. At 6’4” with a 6’9” wingspan, solid body, and quick feet, Kevin has all the tools to be a good defensive player; he just needs to commit on that end. Obviously, fans are aware of his instincts and nose for the ball, which was exemplified in the five-steal game late in the season against Minnesota.

In closing, there will be a lot on KPJ’s plate this season, and that could be a bad idea. But I’m choosing to be optimistic. Anyway, please vote for who’s next below!

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-analysis/50828/milwaukee-bucks-nba-ranking-roster-kevin-porter-jr

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Ranking The Roster: Gary Trent Jr. rides with the front of the herd at 3rd

Gary Trent Jr. was never supposed to be this important.

A surprise signing in July 2024, Trent was meant to be the final piece, the fifth option, the three-and-D guard to complement Giannis, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez. He was meant to join the carousel of ~6’4” shooting guards that had come and gone before him—Donte DiVincenzo, Grayson Allen, and Malik Beasley—and fulfill the modus operandi: space the floor, hit the open three, protect the rock, and play respectable defence. Yet, as this offseason has once again proven, what was is not always what is.

Despite high hopes and a buzz after opening night—where he hounded Tyrese Maxey to 10/31 shooting—Trent had a shaky start with the Bucks. Over the season’s first seven games, he averaged a meager 8.0 PPG and his shooting was brutal: 28.8% from the field and 23.1% from three. Pressure mounting with a 1-7 record, Doc Rivers promptly pulled Trent from his starting role and, in a flash, the Bucks found themselves winners of 9/10.

Just as quickly, Trent found his rhythm too, shooting a blistering 52.1% from three over that same stretch. This continued for the rest of the season, with Trent converting an elite 42.2% from long range, though he was never able to regain that starting spot despite the team’s obvious need for, you know, an actual guard to start at the two (what’s up, Doc? indeed).

Overall, Trent’s shooting was a tale of two sides: elite from deep but rough at the rim. Per Cleaning the Glass, he ranked in the 85th percentile among wings on three-point accuracy (88th percentile from the corners, 79th percentile from non-corner locations) but in just the 15th percentile for accuracy on shots at the rim. This disparity speaks to Trent’s lack of explosion, a limitation exacerbated by his pedestrian handle. Unsurprisingly, this combination inhibits his creation for others too—among wings, his 6.5% assist percentage ranked in just the 7th percentile.

Perhaps most stark, however, is the difference in Trent’s shooting performances in wins vs. losses—he shot ten percentage points worse from the field in losses (47.1% vs. 37.2%), including a whopping 13 percentage point drop from three (46.7% vs. 33.7%). So, does Trent’s success lead to the Bucks’ success, or vice versa?

In the playoffs, Trent went supernova: 18.8 PPG on 51.6% from the field and 50.0% from three (on 8.8 attempts per game). He also led the playoffs in steals per game (2.6) while only turning the ball over three times for the entire series—it just happened to be that two of those came in the final 29 seconds of overtime in Game 5. Welp. Tragic irony aside, Trent’s playoff performance grabbed the mic and screamed: I am not afraid of the moment!

And, now, here we are. For the first time in a decade, the Bucks’ hierarchy isn’t set in stone. Giannis will lead, of course—and the defence should be strong—but who will step up on the offensive end of the court? Largely, the team will need to play it by committee, and the roster certainly has the personnel to do so. Myles Turner, Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, Cole Anthony, AJ Green, and even Ryan Rollins can go off on any given night. But, with cojones Sam Cassell would be proud of, don’t be surprised if it’s Trent more often than not.

Should this happen, come next offseason, Trent might just have found what he told Sportskeeda he wanted when he first signed with Milwaukee: “a home base and [to] be part of something long-term.”

What was is not always what is—or what will be…

---

Gary Trent Jr. was never supposed to be this important. But he is.

For better or worse.

What are your thoughts on Trent’s place in the Bucks’ “big three” and is anyone crazy enough to think Myles Turner is more important to the team’s success than Giannis?

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-analysis/51028/milwaukee-bucks-nba-ranking-roster-gary-trent-jr

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bucks Media Day: Highlights from Wes Edens, Jon Horst, and Doc Rivers

After months of waiting, we have finally arrived at Milwaukee Bucks Media Day! Today, I was at Fiserv Forum bringing you live updates and highlights from Bucks brass, coaches, and players as they embark on the 2025 season. In the first set of interviews, co-owner and governor Wes Edens held a solo press conference, followed by a joint press conference with General Manager Jon Horst and Head Coach Doc Rivers.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reporter Jim Owczarski opened the questioning for Edens, asking about the decision-making process to give Horst a multiyear contract extension back in April:

Wes Edens on GM Jon Horst’s extension: “Jon has been a tremendous asset to the organization. It was a very simple decision.”

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T17:18:08.854Z

When asked about Giannis’ commitment level in Milwaukee by ESPN’s Jamal Collier, he told us that Giannis made it clear in June that he was committed to Milwaukee (although that was later contradicted by Giannis, but more on that later):

Wes Edens on his discussions with Giannis on his commitment level to the Bucks:“I had a great conversation with Giannis in June, and he made it clear that he is committed to Milwaukee and he likes having his family here.”

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T16:11:24.210Z

Edens also talked about the process the team went through to bring in a player like Myles Turner by having to waive and stretch Damian Lillard:

Edens on having to cut Damian Lillard to get Turner:“It was a big decision for us, you don’t stretch and waive Damian Lillard without a lot of introspection. Damian is a tremendous basketball player; he is also a tremendous person, so on a personal basis, that was a really hard decision to make.”

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T19:14:56.764Z

Edens followed that up by saying he believes the Bucks have a strong chance to come out of the Eastern Conference and that the decision to bring on Myles Turner proved they are serious about winning:

Edens: "There's a big chance to come out of the East." Said he talk to Giannis in June and "he made it very clear he's committed to Milwaukee." #NBASkyEdens noted the decisions to waive/stretch Damian Lillard & signing Myles Turner indicated the commitment to winning.

— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T16:10:57.772Z

Before leaving the podium, Edens talked about the current state of the local TV rights, and where he sees they could go in the future:

“We’re very fortunate to have a very attractive market, in the restructuring of those contracts. We were considered to be one of the more attractive markets, and that’s because there’s a good audience here in Wisconsin. I do think when you look at the landscapes, we have a tremendous long-term national deal that starts next year, $7 billion a year. I think that when you look at local TV rights over the last five, even 10 years, they’ve kind of gone the other direction. That said, there’s a lot of interest in local rights, and so maybe this evolves in a more collaborative way. I think what Phoenix has done, what Utah has done, [is] definitely one possibility for it.”

After Edens, it was Horst and Rivers who stepped up to talk with the press. Before things even got started, Horst dropped some big news that Giannis wouldn’t be attending Media Day and would miss the start of training camp, due to contracting COVID-19 while still in Greece. Once he is healthy and starts testing negative, Giannis will travel back to the US to join the team. Giannis later joined media day via Zoom, at around 9 p.m. local time in Greece.

BREAKING: Jon Horst confirms that Giannis is not present for Media Day, citing a COVID-19 infection.

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T16:36:02.952Z

After an opening statement, Horst was asked about his contract extension and cited multiple seasons to stay in Milwaukee, bringing up his desire to win, among other, more personal connections with the team and city:

Horst on his contract extension: “This is home, I have a 13-year-old daughter, a nine-year-old son now, and they were born and raised here.” “We love this city, I love working with Doc, I love working with Peter (Feign), we have a great relationship at the top.”

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T17:10:56.704Z

Horst also gave an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the team and AJ Green, who is eligible for an extension:

Horst on a potential AJ Green extension: “We’ve had a lot of conversations with AJ and his agent, good conversations, we’d love to have AJ with us for a long time, and we are working on that…we're having the conversations and hoping to work something out."

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T20:26:39.728Z

Doc Rivers talked about the role that new starting center Myles Turner would have with his new team, compared to what he did in his 10 seasons with the Indiana Pacers:

“Similar role, but doing more. His ability to stretch the floor will stay the same, his three-point shooting, hopefully we can get him more threes this year. One of the things that Myles is really grown into is he punishes switches. You switch a guard on him, he’ll put his head underneath the basket and punish you for it and I think that’s something we wanna use. His ability to block shots and on the other end to grab offensive rebounds. Then I thought last year they used him on the elbows more as a passer and a facilitator and we can use him in that role as well.”

For those wondering who might be in the starting lineup come October 22nd, Rivers didn’t really give any hints at who he’s thinking about, but did say he has two or three different combinations he’s looking at to go with:

Rivers: He will not name a starting lineup, but feels he has "two or three" he's thinking of, which are different from one another. #NBASky

— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T16:43:26.729Z

Those were my biggest takeaways from the press conference with the Bucks brass. Let me know what else stood out to you in the comments below. Next up will be highlights from the press conferences with Giannis, Myles Turner, and Bobby Portis.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-news...day-highlights-wes-edens-jon-horst-doc-rivers

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bucks Media Day: Highlights from Giannis, Myles Turner, and the rest of the Bucks

I’m back with my second article of the day from Milwaukee Bucks Media Day. If you missed my takeaways from the press conferences of Governor Wes Edens, General Manager Jon Horst, and Head Coach Doc Rivers, make sure to head on over here first to read about the latest from those. In this one, I’ll be bringing you the most noteworthy moments from what might be the new big three (this time, literally big) of the Bucks in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, and Bobby Portis.

We’ll start with Giannis, who—if you missed it—couldn’t make today’s festivities due to contracting COVID-19 while in Greece. He joined the present media via Zoom and talked about his disappointment in missing the start of training camp:

“I’m definitely disappointed, I’m bumbed out that I’m not able to be there with the team. As a leader, I don’t feel good about it, but at the end of the day, this is life. Things like this, you don’t know when it’s going to happen, and how it’s going to happen. Right now, I am definitely bummed that I’m not able to be there day one and for the team to feel my presence and feel my seriousness, and how much I want to compete, and for us to have a great year. But at the end of the day, I think they will understand, and if I’m not there today, I’ll be there in a few days, and we’ll get the ball rolling.”

When asked about the meeting he had with Edens in June, Giannis, at least at this moment in time, said he couldn’t recall that meeting:

Giannis says that he can’t currently recall the meeting Edens referred to.

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T17:34:32.321Z

Eric Nehm of The Athletic asked, in a pivot off Giannis not remembering the meeting, about what allows him to keep believing that this team is the place for him to win championships:

“I believe in my teammates, that’s pretty much it. I believe in the people around me, I believe in my teammates, I believe in the moves that they make (referring to the front office), we’re young, and hopefully we can get on the same page.”

Giannis was asked about his thoughts on the new NBA All-Star game format, where it would have two U.S. teams and then a team comprised of the best international players from the rest of the world:

Giannis, when asked about the proposed ASG format: "I love it, I think it was my idea. I think it's going to be exciting for people to watch, I'm going to play hard, but I think it's going to bring a bit more juice to the game."

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T21:59:37.699Z

Of course, Giannis commented on the moves to waive and stretch Damian Lillard, which allowed them to bring in Myles Turner as the new Robin to Giannis’ Batman:

“For me, they are two different moves. Starting with Myles, he was one of the bigs that I feel like we could fit so well together, I think he gives our team so much depth as one of the best bigs in the league. He can shoot, take you off the dribble, he’s a great defender, after that he’s an unbelievable guy in the locker room, very high character guy, so I’m very excited for him, and it’s an incredible move by the Bucks.”

“Dame, I still have a great relationship with him and will always have a great relationship with him. I understand the business side, we had a conversation, but I would like to keep it between me and him. He understands it, I think he’s in a very happy place right now, back home in Portland with a team he played a lot of years with. Going back is such a good move for him and his family, to be around his family, to be around people that love him, so I’m very happy for him. My friendship with him will be bigger than basketball.”

Over the summer, Giannis went back to Europe to play with Greece in the EuroBasket tournament, looking to help Greece medal for the first time since 2009. He did just that, leading Hellas to a bronze medal in a third-place match win over Finland. Giannis talked about what that meant to him today:

“Representing your national team, it’s one of the biggest honors you can receive. For our national team, we had so many years where we didn’t medal, in the history of our national team I think we’ve had six medals, so you can understand how important it is to bring back a medal to the country is. It’s something that, when you play a World Cup game or in the semifinals the whole country stops what they’re doing to watch the game, everybody supports the national team. The first time I really watched basketball was 2005 or ‘06, when the national team beat the USA team. They inspired me that maybe I could play on the national team one day, maybe I can be one of those guys. It’s one of the biggest accomplishments of my life, it was one of the things I wanted to do; I’m happy I did it.”

One other offseason move of note that was very relevant to Giannis was bringing back his older brother Thanasis on a one-year deal. It’s safe to say he is very happy to have him back (officially) on the team.

Giannis on his older brother Thansis coming back to the Bucks this season, via Eric Nehm on Twitter/X: "I love that Thanasis is on the team…He's such an incredible leader. He's such a vocal point in the locker room…People don't understand how valuable he is to our team."

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T22:36:36.246Z

Before going to bed after spending 20 minutes with the assembled media, Giannis once again addressed the offseason rumors about whether or not he would leave Milwaukee:

Giannis Antetokounmpo says "There's truth to every report" from the summer, but added that every offseason he wants to see the team trying to compete."It's not the first time." (Which is true. He's said similar things since 2018.)"I want to win another championship. That's it."#NBASky

— Jim Owczarski (@jimowczarski.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T17:44:00.510Z

The big ticket free agent signing in Myles Turner was up next, and he started out his presser by talking about what his new outlook is being in a new place for the first time in 10 years:

“I’m embracing change, embracing this cool part of my career, entering my prime at 29 years old and my 11th season. I’m in a city now that wants to celebrate me, they’ve been nothing but welcoming and I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Turner talked about how he can help the Bucks get back to their more aggressive style of defense:

“The rim protection is going to be what it is, but different pick-and-roll coverages. I’m not necessarily a drop big. I am someone who is a little bit more aggressive at the point of attack, someone who can get out and attack the ball a little bit more and at times switch out and defender on the perimeter as well”

After Turner, his backup, Bobby Portis, came in. While they were switching out, Turner started a mini “Bobby, Bobby, Bobby” chant. Portis joked about his relationship with Turner, and he talked about how excited he is to play with Turner and Giannis:

BP on his relationship with Myles Turner: “I'm glad me and him never got into any scuffles in those series. Me, Giannis, and Myles will all be 30 years old at the same time and grow together. Can’t find another team with three better bigs.”

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T18:23:08.262Z

Bobby also talked about the leadership role he now plays, as he heads into his age-31 season:

“I got a different outlook on what was next for us, and what’s next for us is me being a leader, being able to step up and help coach the young guys. I’ve always been a leader, I think now (I’m) just at the forefront of it where guys are really receptive of it and really hone in [on] what I’m saying.”

Turner wasn’t the only free agent singing who spoke today, with Amir Coffey, Cole Anthony, and the returning Gary Trent Jr. They didn’t have much to say, but there were still some interesting nuggets from this trio. Trent was the first of the three to go, and he talked about his process in returning to the Bucks for at least another season:

Gary Trent Jr on re-signing with the #Bucks: “The market, due to my future, and the best chance for me to play winning basketball and have an impact on winning.” “Being in memorable games and different things like that, and of all the options I had, this was the best one.”

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T17:59:41.931Z

Coffey talked about how not only could he help maximize the Bucks and Giannis, but how Giannis could maximize his skillset:

“He’s a star, he’s a great player, he’s a force for other teams. I feel like day in and day out, he’s gonna bring what he brings and [the team is] putting players around him that can emphasize that. Floor spacers, defenders; having guys that can elevate his game makes the team better. Myself, just being player that plays on both sides of the ball, shoot it, get to the basket, play within the offense, off the ball that’s some of the stuff I’ve been doing in LA. And also being a defender on the other side and being able to switch, guard multiple positions, and just being trustworthy player on both sides of the ball.”

This was a fun one, where Cole Anthony closed out the day by sharing his reaction when he decided to sign with the Bucks:

Cole Anthony, when he signed with the Bucks:"This is gas, this is fire." Gen Z in the NBA is here, and I'm so here for it

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-09-29T18:29:37.987Z

He also commented on being able to wear his dad Greg’s number with one of the teams he played for:

“This is a true full circle moment. I wore my pop’s number in Orlando, which is cool, and I got to honor him there. Now playing on a team that he was a part of, wearing the same number; there’s not a lot of NBA players who can say they’ve done that. I wear the Bucks jersey with pride, I wear the Anthony jersey with pride, and I think it’s dope.”

Thank you for following along all day long as we embark on the 2025 season for the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks open up preseason play on a week from today October 6th on the road against the Miami Heat.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-news...annis-antetokounmpo-myles-turner-bobby-portis

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bring da ruckus: Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Nikola Jokic

A court. Somewhere—east coast, west, heartland, Europe—it doesn’t matter. The hardwood’s what’s important. The rims. 10 feet high, nylon freshly twined; the history of basketball and everything it touches woven into the cords. This is life.

Inside, the stands are cloaked in black, the court a player strutting and fretting on stage. Spot-lit. A monologue mid-verse. At the top of the key, a monolith: Nikola Jokic.

He catches the ball, back to the basket. Guards and wings pirouette around him like hummingbirds, looking for a hand-off. Cutters flash to the dunker’s spot, anticipating a no-look lob. Defenders scurry like ants before rain. The supercomputer processes it all—the light, the motion, the angles. The defense is on edge. He feigns a pass, spins around his defender, lumbers towards the rim—a tank traversing tumultuous terrain.

In the far corner, another giant comes to life. Chiselled from marble, the colossus rotates at the hips, limbs contracting and extending, simultaneously glacial and instantaneous; temporal dilation in full effect. The Greek god scoffs at time and space—they are nothing to him. His body coils, preloads, then the plantar flexion does the rest. Flight and fight.

At the summit, it’s quiet. Snow wafts through the whispering wind. But, as the giants converge, their fury echoes, speaks in thunder: the ruckus is coming.

---

What the “experts” say ​

No off-season is complete without barbershop banter, playground parley, and… online outcry? Alright, you get the point—player rankings are irrevocably part of hoops culture. We bruise on that. So, here’s how the prominent outlets have most recently ranked Jokic and Giannis (with some of these rankings predating the 2024–25 season):

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What about their respective places on all-time rankings?

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*Note: the CBS and ESPN rankings were of the top 25 players of the 21st century.

The message is clear: Nikola Jokic, both now and all time, is widely regarded as a better basketball player than Giannis Antetokounmpo. But, as Ghostface and Raekwon pondered, can it be all so simple?

Hardware​

Both Jokic and Giannis could never play again and be first-ballot Hall of Famers, ranking comfortably towards the top of the NBA’s pantheon of greats. Needless to say, their trophy cabinets are stacked:

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While Giannis has played two more years than Jokic, he’s just 75 days older, so they’re effectively on the same NBA timeline. And while Jokic does have an additional MVP, Milwaukee’s finest clearly has the greater collection of accolades overall.

Advantage: Giannis.

Stats rule everything around me​

Let’s get this straight: both Jokic and Giannis are statistical juggernauts, and have been for some time. Jokic won his first MVP in the 2020–21 season and, from the start of that season until now, has averaged an absurd 26.8 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 9.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 0.7 BPG on ridiculous .586/.378/.822 shooting splits. In that time, he’s finished no lower than second in MVP honours and claimed four of his five All-NBA first team selections.

Since his first MVP season back in 2018–19, Giannis has been equally dominant—you don’t get crowned the new-age M.D.E. for nothing—averaging 29.6 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.3 BPG on .575/.284/.670 shooting. In this seven-year stretch, Giannis has finished no lower than fourth in MVP voting and earned All-NBA first team honours each year. His defensive impact—less-easily quantifiable by stats—also warrants mention, as he’s finished no lower than ninth in Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) voting during that span.

The takeaways are what you’d expect—Jokic bests Giannis in assists and shooting efficiency, while Giannis has Jokic’s number in points, blocks, and defense. Everything else is a wash.

Digging deeper, Jokic is the advanced stat darling of the two. In fact, in “collect-all” stats like Player Efficiency Rating (PER), Win Shares per 48 minutes (WS/48), and Box Plus/Minus (BPM), he holds the all-time career records. He’s also led the league in Value over Replacement Player (VORP) in each of the last five seasons.

However, Giannis is no slouch either, with peak scores similar to Jokic’s in PER (32.1 vs. 32.8) and WS/48 (.292 vs. .308). His defensive rating—ranging from a best of 97.4 to a worst of 113.2 in the seven-year span—is also better than Jokic’s (ranging from 108.9–115.1). It’s also worth noting that Giannis has carried a significantly higher usage percentage over this stretch—34.7% compared to Jokic’s 29.5% over five. This kind of volume typically suppresses efficiency metrics, making Giannis’ sustained production all the more impressive—especially for a guy who “can’t shoot.”

There is a litany of other stats that could be thrown into the mix, but in a battle as mythic as this, it’s what happens when the game is on the line that matters most. Per 100 possessions, here’s how they fared in the clutch during the 2024–25 season:

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On the surface, Jokic seems the conqueror here with the higher points, assists, and steals averages, but closer inspection shows Giannis as the better caretaker (3.4 vs. 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio) to go along with his superior board work, rim protection, and plus/minus numbers. And, of course, when the lights are at their absolute brightest, both of these dudes come through (see Finals, NBA—where, as great as Jokic was, Giannis was even better).

In all, while Jokic takes the flowers in analytics—a testament to his otherworldly abilities as an offensive engine—Giannis’ longevity, defensive impact, and ability to rise to the moment, both as a play finisher and obliterator, cannot be overlooked (ask CP3, Ayton, Capela, etc.).

Advantage: a razor’s edge.

Head-to-head​

Despite playing 10 and 12 years respectively, Jokic and Giannis have played each other just 16 times. In those matchups, their numbers are eerily similar (per Stathead):

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Ultimately, there’s nothing new in this—Giannis again edges Jokic in points and blocks, while Jokic again has Giannis’ measure in assists and shooting efficiency. So, with such similar head-to-head statistical outputs, it’s hard to argue anything other than wins really matter here (even if Giannis has claimed the last two games they’ve played).

Advantage: Jokic.

Season outlook​

Looking ahead, the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks are set to face one another in January for both of their 2025–26 season matchups—one on the 11th (in Denver) and the other on the 23rd (in Milwaukee). Of course, both teams will look completely different from even last year’s iterations, with the Bucks making arguably the most shocking moves of the offseason, and many pundits proclaiming the Nuggets as the overall winners of the offseason.

Let’s recap. The Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick for longtime apple of Bucks fans’ eyes Cameron Johnson, reacquired championship role player Bruce Brown to replace Russell Westbrook, signed gunner Tim Hardaway Jr., and strengthened perhaps their biggest weakness—a backup for Jokic—by trading Dario Saric for Jonas Valanciunas. In brief, they are primed for a title push.

As you’re all well aware, the Bucks also made waves with the Myles Turner/Damian Lillard transactions and signings of Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo (to go along with the re-signings of several key players and losses of franchise staples Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton).

So, with both sides revamped—and a little help for the Bucks with the Eastern Conference being as wide open as it ever has been—the 2025–26 season offers a natural resolution to this battle for basketball supremacy. Enter, playoffs. Yes, this epic warrants nothing less than an NBA Finals showdown. Jokic, Giannis, it’s on you—make it happen.

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Back at the summit, the fracas has arrived. The titans meet, their force splitting the ground, tearing earth like a bone saw through flesh, lava spewing violently into the ether, pyroclastic flow engulfing everything in its path. Through the smoke, a silhouette: a carcass, a figure standing—fist skyward.

This is the story of The Joker and The Freak in the night.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-anal...comparison-giannis-antetokounmpo-nikola-jokic

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Ranking The Roster: Giannis reigns yet again

In terms of the least surprising writing we do on this site, what takes the cake is Giannis Antetokounmpo being voted the most important Buck every season, dating back to 2014 when we first did these rankings. There’s not much to say other than that: the sun rises and sets for the franchise with Giannis. He’s a main—maybe THE—reason the team remained in Milwaukee. The main reason they rose from decades of irrelevance through plucky playoff underdog to legitimate contender. The main reason they won the whole damn thing in 2021. The reason they can’t just be written off as contenders—though now, maybe just for a run to the Conference Finals—while the team changed around him in the ensuing years.

Unlike in our last ranking, Milwaukee lacks star power around Giannis for the first time since perhaps his rookie season, depending on when you think Khris Middleton reached that status. And a healthy, albeit short postseason for the first time since 2022 from Giannis is the main reason the Pacers did not sweep them in the spring. Any hope of advancing out of the first round for the first time since 2022 rests on his health and continued dominance of the sport.

Everyone quibbles with the order of the top two or three players in the league, but to rate Giannis outside of that echelon is poppycock. A second year of averaging 30+ points per game with 60% shooting—still the only player ever to do this—from the field makes him arguably the most efficient scoring weapon in the league, while still acknowledging that Jokic is reasonably the best offensive player overall (more on that debate later today). And though we don’t always see it in the regular season, it’s still abundantly clear that of the league’s top 10-or-so players, Giannis is the best defender of them all—at least until Victor Wembanyama puts together a full season worthy of Defensive Player of the Year.

Looking at my summation of Giannis two years ago—“an elite high-usage primary scorer, a pretty damn good passer, a fantastic rebounder, an expert at drawing contact, and an extremely dangerous off-ball defensive threat”—in these rankings, I can confidently say he’s better now. Pretty damn good passer? Try outstanding. Go see his clips on YouTube. Factor this improvement in with what we already knew in the above paragraph, and it’s silly to call Luka Doncic the better player after he missed 40% of the season. Even after an MVP and ring, I have a hard time elevating Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over him too.

I said this last year and it still resonates with me: “those putting Luka Doncic ahead of Giannis are—gee, how can I put this nicely? I guess the most polite thing I can say is that they’re very, very wrong. I’ll die on the hill that Giannis’ 2023–24 season—which was the best of his career, by many metrics—should have merited him more MVP votes. Not being among the three finalists is criminal.” While he was an MVP finalist again last year, he finished in a distant third. Yet again, 2024–25 was the best of his career by many metrics. While I don’t think his MVP finish is criminal, his evaluation next to Doncic still is.

That’s a wrap on our 12th annual edition of Ranking The Roster. Thanks to all of you for voting along the way. Let’s recap the rankings, with links to each post discussing the given Buck:

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (last year ranked first)
2. Myles Turner
3. Gary Trent Jr. (last year ranked fifth)
4. Kevin Porter Jr.
5. Bobby Portis (last year ranked sixth)
6. AJ Green (last year ranked ninth)
7. Kyle Kuzma
8. Ryan Rollins (last year ranked 17th)
9. Cole Anthony
10. Taurean Prince (last year ranked eighth)
11. Jericho Sims
12. Gary Harris
13. Amir Coffey
14. Chris Livingston (last year ranked 12th)
15. Andre Jackson Jr. (last year ranked 11th)
16. Tyler Smith (last year ranked 15th)
17. Thanasis Antetokounmpo
18. Pete Nance
19. Jamaree Bouyea
20. Mark Sears

Thanks for also voting in the gut check poll for each Buck. We asked you how confident you were that so-and-so would be a member of the postseason rotation on a 1–5 scale, 1 being “not confident at all” and 5 being “firmly in the rotation, playing heavy minutes.” For the holdovers, their gut check number from September 2024 is in parentheses. Neat to see rises from Gary Trent Jr., AJ Green, and Ryan Rollins:

1. Giannis: 4.92 (4.53)
2. Turner: 4.96
3. Trent: 4.90 (4.72)
4. Porter: 4.77
5. Portis: 4.62 (4.3)
6. Green: 4.45 (3.23)
7. Rollins: 3.96 (1.25)
8. Anthony: 3.58
9. Prince: 3.27 (3.72)
10. Kuzma: 3.12
11. Sims: 3.03
12. Coffey: 2.68
13. Harris: 2.12
14. Jackson: 1.86 (2.67)
15. Livingston: 1.72 (1.86)
16. Thanasis: 1.47 (1.45 in September 2023)
17. Sears: 1.45
18. Nance: 1.40
19. Smith: 1.21 (1.55)
20. Bouyea: 1.16

Once again, thanks for partaking. We’d love to read what your personal ranking of the Bucks is, and how it differs from our readership’s consensus, so feel free to comment or post it in The Feed.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-feat...ee-bucks-ranking-roster-giannis-antetokounmpo

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

It’s Bucks Media Day!

We’re almost there. A week from tonight, the Bucks will tip off their first preseason action in Miami, and tomorrow, training camp begins. That means today is Media Day around the NBA (or at least for teams not traveling abroad for preseason games), and like last year, Jackson Gross and I are heading up to Fiserv Forum to get the scoop.

Also like last year, we’ll have an article condensing some of the big takeaways from coach, player, ownership, and front office availability. But if you want to check it out yourself, you can stream it live here. Opening remarks will happen at 11 a.m. Central from co-owner and governor Wes Edens. GM Jon Horst and Doc Rivers will be next up, likely together as they were last September.

At 11:30, the player schedule begins, and while it has not been revealed publicly, you can bet Giannis will kick it off. Myles Turner should follow soon after, and as is customary, the Bucks’ other free agent additions will likely get their own dedicated Q&As. That would include Cole Anthony and Gary Harris, but likely not two-way or training camp guys like Amir Coffey. I also expect Kevin Porter Jr., Kyle Kuzma, and perhaps Jericho Sims to sit down with the media, given they were deadline acquisitions last winter.

Whoever comes out, quotes will appear on Brew Hoop in a new piece, and you can also follow Jackson and I on Twitter and Bluesky @lohausfan and @JGrossReporter for live updates. In the meantime, Happy Media Day to those of you celebrating!

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-news/51934/milwaukee-bucks-media-day-2025-nba

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Kevin Porter Jr. named starting point guard

Another piece of Milwaukee’s starting lineup puzzle has been put in place: Kevin Porter Jr. will open the season as the lead point guard for the Bucks. Doc Rivers confirmed the designation after practice yesterday in response to a question from The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. The waiving of Damian Lillard earlier this offseason left behind a gaping hole at PG with no clear heir lined up. Some thought the young Ryan Rollins may start at the point, but it will be Porter Jr. who gets the nod. Here’s Doc’s full quote:

“You think about Scoot and his career, he started off as a high draft pick. He started. They put the ball in his hands. He could literally take any shot and he did, you know, and now he comes from that, from not playing at times, coming off the bench, being out of the league to now back to starting and that’s a huge responsibility for him to run the team and still be aggressive. That’s the hardest thing to do, I think, in basketball is from the point guard, understand when and when. It’s just hard and so I’m sure at times he’ll be great at it and then at times he may struggle at it, but we’ll support him and get him right.”

As Doc noted, Porter has been a starter for the majority of his NBA career. He opened 143 of his 146 games with the Rockets between 2021 and 2023, making him more familiar with this role than Milwaukee’s other point guards (he’s started nearly two times as many games as Rollins has played in total). During his time in Houston, KPJ put up some eye-popping numbers, averaging 17.2 PPG and 6.0 APG overall. However, as Doc pointed out, he was allowed to take “literally any shot”. In his new major role with the Bucks, Porter will need to play more disciplined and team-friendly basketball than he did with the tanking Rockets. However, discipline isn’t exactly part of his game (or off-court demeanor). Porter is a streaky player, a tough-shot taker who has stretches of awesomeness and stretches of horrendousness. Players like him are usually most successful as sixth men. Part of the reason why KPJ looked so good with Milwaukee in 2024–25 was the fact that he came off the bench.

So, is starting him really the best idea? The answer is yes, because there just frankly isn’t another good option. Ryan Rollins has potential and can make an impact as a role player right now, but he’s nowhere near established enough to be a starter for a team with playoff aspirations, barring a big breakout. Cole Anthony is another microwave guy best suited for a bench part, and his ceiling is much lower than KPJ’s (especially on defense). Running point Giannis for a full season could be a serious injury risk.

The way the new-look Bucks are composed means they’ll be doing a lot of gambling with their rotation this year. Guys will need to step up and make leaps for this team to make real noise. Kevin Porter Jr. is their best bet at point guard because there is a world where he posts numbers similar to what he did in Houston while cutting down on boneheaded mistakes. If you don’t think we live in that world, be reassured by the fact that he could have his starting spot snatched later in the year, given how loosely he holds it right now. A massive jump from Rollins isn’t completely out of the question.

Time will tell if things need to change, but for now, KPJ is officially the starting point guard for the Bucks. With Giannis and Myles Turner locking down the frontcourt, that leaves the two and the three as the last unfilled spots in the opening lineup. Gary Trent Jr. and Kyle Kuzma are the leaders in the clubhouse, but AJ Green, Taurean Prince, and maybe even Amir Coffey are options too. Training camp and the upcoming preseason should quickly provide answers to the question marks at those spots.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-news/52082/kevin-porter-jr-milwaukee-bucks-nba-training-camp

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Ranking The Roster: Myles Turner assumes the position of Robin at 2nd

There’s a new number two in town, and it’s an old-enemy-turned-new-starting-center in Myles Turner. Turner came to the Bucks this offseason after spending 10 seasons with the rival Indiana Pacers. The former Texas Longhorn became a fixture in the Pacers’ starting lineup, playing in 609 games in the starting five out of 642 total games played. After the second-best-player spot was taken by Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton before that, Myles Turner now assumes that position.

Turner was obviously a shocking signing for the Bucks this past offseason; he seemed destined to return to the Pacers, with only the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets having the requisite cap space to sign him. That and the fact that the Pacers just made a run to the NBA Finals, and even without Tyrese Haliburton, they seemed primed to steady the ship with Turner and the rest of the core that led them there. Yet, in a stroke of pure brilliance and madness by Bucks GM Jon Horst, he stretched Lillard’s max contract to free up the cap space to sign Turner. The Lego-building big man signed with the Bucks for four years at $108.8m, with a player option for the fourth year when Turner turns 32.

Turner is coming off his best three-point shooting season of his career, knocking down 39.6% on 5.5 attempts per game. Last season, he posted averages of 15.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 1.5 APG in 72 games for Indy. Turner can slot in as the new stretch five, allowing Giannis to continue to work his magic on the inside with excellent floor spacers around him. Outside of his three-point shooting ability, Turner is solid enough in the midrange, considering his volume, shooting 56.3% from 10 feet to the three-point line on 2.1 attempts per game. What Turner also brings on offense is high-end athleticism for a center; combining that with his screen-setting ability allows him to catch lobs from any one of the Bucks’ ball handlers. I could see Doc Rivers drawing up some big-on-big pick-and-roll, where Turner sets a screen for Giannis, drawing both bigs out of the paint and allowing Giannis some easy lanes to the basket.

What truly makes Turner a difference-maker is his ability on defense. He’s led the league in blocks twice and averaged over 2.7 blocks three times in his career. Last season, Turner combined to average 2.8 steals plus blocks per game, while posting a defensive rating of 111.5, which tied for third on the Pacers. Outside of the statsheet, he can fit into a bunch of different schemes on the defensive end of the floor. He will largely take over the role that Brook Lopez filled during his time as the man in the middle, playing drop coverage in the pick-and-roll while protecting the paint. The difference between Lopez and Turner is that he is athletic enough to play out on the perimeter. We all love Lopez and the strong play on both ends, and Splash Mountain will forever live in Bucks fans’ hearts, but Turner can do all the things he could and even more.

While he hasn’t made an All-Star game yet (and that may change playing next to Giannis this year), he can be a strong second option for this Bucks team, while bringing a defensive force on the back end. And be sure to vote in Brew Hoop’s final polls of this series on where you see both Giannis and Samurai Myles fitting in. Also, be on the lookout for our wrap-up of Ranking The Roster, as Giannis has taken the top spot for the 13th year in a row.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-analysis/51864/milwaukee-bucks-nba-ranking-roster-myles-turner

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Free of Covid, Giannis will join Bucks in Miami

You might have read or seen that Giannis Antetokounmpo was not at Bucks Media Day on Monday on account of having Covid-19 (which these days is endemic), only speaking via a video call to the assembled press because he was still back in Greece. At the time, he was waiting for a negative test and/or medical clearance to travel. He’s apparently received it, as head coach Doc Rivers told The Athletic’s Eric Nehm after today’s practice that he’ll be meeting the team in Miami, where the Bucks will tip off their preseason against the Heat on Monday evening.

The Bucks themselves just finished the front half of their training camp—the portion taking place in Milwaukee at their own practice facility. Right now, they’re airborne to South Florida, where Giannis is heading to as well. Rivers said he would arrive either tonight or tomorrow morning. They’ll then continue daily practices at Florida International University for the second half of camp, gearing up to play Monday evening.

There’s no definitive word yet on whether Giannis will play, and the league doesn’t release injury reports during the preseason. But it’s a good sign he’s at least able to report to camp and hopefully will get up to speed pretty quickly. Some informal summer practices preceded camp in recent weeks, and it’s likely he was a part of some of those.

Also worth noting is that new point guard Cole Anthony wasn’t practicing fully, noted by Doc (per Nehm) that he did “everything but contact.” When asked what was bugging Anthony, Rivers said he had no idea. I guess we’re already in midseason form as far as press conferences go.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-inju...nis-antetokounmpo-covid-cleared-nba-preseason

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Bogoljub Marković Update: ABA League Opener Recap

Dzień dobry. For those who could not watch, here is a quick recap of what happened in the ABA League opener, where I promise to bring you closer to the bizarre yet compelling European journey of 2025 Bucks second-round pick Bogoljub Markovic on European courts. Get on the bandwagon now, because deep down you want to feel the authentic struggle of this kid’s development.

Mega Superbet’s (aka KK Mega Basket) quest for a victorious start to the ABA League season has ended, as the young squad was destroyed by an experienced Cedevita Olimpija team from Slovenia, losing by 36 points on the road, 117-81. Despite the brutal final score, Marković delivered a highly efficient performance, cementing his role as the team’s emerging cornerstone.

Marković played a team-leading 34:46 minutes, logging a spectacular 21 EVAL—the highest for Mega and second only to Cedevita’s Umoja Gibson (27) in the entire contest. He finished as the Mega Superbet’s leader in scoring with 14 points and rebounding with seven boards (all defensive). Furthermore, Marković drew an impressive seven fouls (most in the game), showcasing his aggressive play and ability to put pressure on the opposing defense. His offensive performance was an unquestionable bright spot. Marković’s shot selection was great, posting a blistering 68.8% eFG%, built on going 4/5 from two-point range. He was also reliable at the line, sinking 8/10 free throws.

It was all Cedevita from the start, with Mega trailing by 12 after the first quarter (29-17) and never closing the gap, eventually losing every quarter outside of a 22-22 tie in the fourth. The rest of the Mega roster couldn’t keep up with the veteran-heavy offense of Cedevita, allowing the lead to balloon into a rout. Players like Savo Drezgić (16 points) and Asim Đulović (also 16) contributed offensively, but the team’s plus/minus reflects the struggle, with Marković himself carrying a team-average -25 on the night.

Marković did a solid job handling the ball for a big, finishing with a 2:2 assist/turnover ratio. He also logged one block on defense. Although the team suffered a blowout loss, Marković’s solid efficiency and team-leading production ensure that eyes will remain glued to his development throughout the season.

Additionally, if this experiment with covering European games proves worthwhile, perhaps I will follow the Euroleague trail of our beloved former number two overall pick, Jabari Parker, in Partizan Belgrade. Be honest: do you miss him that much?

Dziękuję,

Dawid Księżarczyk

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-draf...-league-opener-serbian-adriatic-league-europe

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat Preseason Preview: Bucks basketball is baaack!

After a long withdrawal period (aka summer break), we finally get our fix—the Milwaukee Bucks are set to take on the Miami Heat in preseason action tonight at the Kaseya Center. While this will be the Bucks’ first preseason game, the Heat lost to the Orlando Magic 118—126 on Saturday.

Where We’re At​

These are not your father’s Bucks. Five years removed, they certainly aren’t your NBA Championship Bucks. They aren’t even your pencil-in 50-win, guaranteed playoffs Bucks—or your “let’s just get everyone healthy and we have a shot” Bucks. But, as Eric B. & Rakim attested, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where ya at.

With Kevin Porter Jr. recently named starting point guard, the Bucks will likely lean into the group and style that gelled down the stretch last season—Porter, Giannis, Gary Trent Jr., and AJ Green, with Myles Turner taking over for Bobby Portis—and posted an outrageous +56 net rating (+9.5 in the Playoffs). However, the team has remained mum about who will be the fifth starter. If it’s not Green, will the Kyle Kuzma small forward experiment resurface? Let’s hope not. Or, perhaps media day podium surprise Amir Coffey has done enough in training camp to warrant the spot? Either way, with a younger and more athletic roster than they’ve had in recent years, the Bucks should push the tempo this season, increasing their middle-of-the-pack pace and being more aggressive on both offence and defence.

The Miami Heat are also a much different team, having made a number of personnel changes. Most notably, Norman Powell was acquired as part of a three-team trade that sent Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson to the Utah Jazz and John Collins to the Los Angeles Clippers. They also traded seven-year staple Duncan Robinson to the Detroit Pistons for Simone Fontecchio, moved Hayward Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets to get under the tax line, and signed free agent Precious Achiuwa. Through the draft, they used the 20th pick on Lithuanian guard Kasparas Jakucionis out of Illinois. Looking ahead, Miami will aim to improve upon a disappointing 2024-25 season, during which they finished 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 37-45 record. They then advanced through the Play-In Tournament but were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.

Injury Report​

For the Bucks, Giannis (illness), Cole Anthony (undisclosed), Mark Sears (calf), and Jamaree Bouyea (rest/thigh) are all questionable.

For the Heat, Jakucionis (wrist), Terry Rozier (hamstring), Davion Mitchell (calf), and Pelle Larson (quadriceps) all remain questionable after missing their preseason opener, while Tyler Herro is out after undergoing offseason surgery on his left ankle.

Player To Watch​

A number of players have a case here, but as the biggest free agent signing of the offseason—and in Milwaukee since Brook Lopez signed in 2018—Myles Turner rightly deserves the spotlight. Fresh off an NBA Finals trip with the Indiana Pacers and with a new four-year $108.8m deal under his belt, Turner will finally don the Good Land green and show us what all the hype is about.

Coming in at second in our Ranking The Roster series, Turner is primed for a career year with the Bucks. Twice leading the league in blocks per game, Turner has made a name for himself on defence and will look to anchor a squad that absolutely must excel on that end of the court—think, top 10 in the league—to make noise at the pointy end of the season. It will be interesting to see how Doc Rivers and defensive coordinator Greg Buckner utilise Turner this season, given he theoretically mirrors Lopez’s skillset with additional versatility thanks to his greater athleticism and mobility—as he said during his Media Day press conference, he’s “a little more aggressive at the point of attack” and, at times, “able switch out and defend the perimeter as well.” This bodes well against the likely pick-and-roll duo of Bam Adebayo and long-time Bucks killer Powell, who will presumably take on more ball-handling responsibilities in the absence of Herro.

Offensively, Turner’s outlook is just as interesting. As arguably the second option on a team for just the second time in his career, Turner has a very real shot at besting his per-game career highs in field goal attempts (11.8) and points (18.0). But, as someone who’s been heavily dependent on others for buckets—90% of his made shots last season were assisted (5th percentile in the league)—this is no sure thing, especially as the Bucks don’t have a playmaker in the same caliber as Tyrese Haliburton. Last year, Turner feasted against the Heat, averaging 21.5 PPG (including 3.3 made threes per game), shooting 56% from the field and 50% from three. He also chipped in 5.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SGP, and 1.3 BPG. So, tonight’s matchup should provide at least a partial answer to that question.

How To Watch​

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-game...-preview-start-time-tv-schedule-injury-report

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Top plays from Milwaukee’s 2021 title run

Hi, hello! Now that the Bucks are heading into yet another long season with the goal of winning it all (however realistic you may think that is), I found myself watching old YouTube videos of Milwaukee’s title run, reminiscing on the good ol’ times. Watching those videos reminded me of many highly influential plays or performances along the way to the title that often get forgotten. Therefore, I wanted to chronologically compile a grab bag of my favourite plays from the title run. Enjoy!

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Round 1, Game 1: Middleton’s anxiety-relieving game-winner​

In many ways, this may have been the most crucial shot of the entire run. Having just finished the previous season with the East’s top seed, making it to the second round, and getting blatantly embarrassed by the Heat in five games, the Bucks found themselves lined up against this team once more. The anxiety, at least for me, was palpable. The Miami brand, Jimmy, Heat Culture, it was all there, ready to consume me. And of course, in a game where Butler goes a putrid 4/22 from the field, he manages to drive around Giannis and hit the game-tying floater to send it to OT after the Bucks missed free throws that could have put the game away; my anxiety turned up another 10 notches. These freaking guys. This freaking team. I say this with respect, but the Heat were the ultimate cockroach of the NBA; they weren’t going to die unless the opponent killed them. Enter: Khris Middleton, stomping all over the Heat’s impenetrable exterior and breaking their will. The next three games were a walkover, but I can’t say they would have been if this shot hadn’t gone down:

Round 2, Game 3: Holiday’s spinning layup at the death​

In the rock fight of all rock fights, Jrue Holiday’s heads-up play to catch the Nets off-guard and drive to the hoop—as they may have expected him to call a timeout with less than 20 seconds on the clock—was massive. ”I think in my head, I was thinking maybe I should run some clock,” Holiday said. “But I saw Bruce Brown one-on-one, so I made a move. It was a good one and I ended up getting a layup.” After giving up a combined 240 points in Games 1 and 2, the Bucks got this game in the mud, where they’d have preferred it. And although Holiday was having another of his bad shooting games in the playoffs (4/14 on the night), his confidence to see an opportunity and take it was the reason the Bucks’ championship hopes remained alive:

Round 2, Game 7: Middleton and Holiday come up clutch​

For whatever reason, if I were to be asked about the play I recall most vividly from the ’21 playoffs, it’s not any of the common ones. Instead, the play I always think of is Khris Middleton’s shot to bring the deficit back to two points with 3:30 left of the fourth quarter in Game 7 vs. the Nets. Why? Well, James Harden (who was playing on one leg) banked in the dumbest three-pointer in all of history on the prior possession, and I thought that was a sign that it just wasn’t meant to be. At that point, it felt like the weight of the world was on the team, and they would eventually fold. And then, as the shot clock dwindled and Jrue drove into the lane, jumping up with seemingly no plan and releasing the ball to Middleton at the final second, he calmly erased the previous Harden three, and I breathed again:

There was also this step-back triple from Jrue that I wanted to include from that game, which he hit a few plays after the Middleton shot. Again, Jrue shot truly horrendously in this game at 5/23 overall and 2/9 from three, but he had no fear taking this shot, which I love. The best part, though, is the reactions. Jrue’s response is one of a steely resolve that he didn’t lose confidence in himself. The best reactions to me, though, come from Darvin Ham and Charles Lee, because I think they show the relationship Jrue had with the team and how well-liked he was:

And then, after KD hit the infamous toe-on-the-line two-pointer to send the game to OT, the Bucks went to a Giannis-Khris pick-and-roll for Middleton to get into his patented turnaround, which was one of three baskets scored by either team in the OT period, hilariously:

Round 3, Game 2: Antetokounmpo’s ridiculous Gervin-esque finger roll​

We can be honest that the true Eastern Conference Finals occurred against the Nets, with this series featuring fewer nail-biters. Regardless, Giannis pulling out this mind-bending layup in Game 2 was pure cinema:

Round 3, Game 3: Middleton downs the Hawks with 38 points​

In a game where the Bucks got down 13 early, it was Khris Middleton who made play after play in the second half to will the visitors to a 2-1 series lead:

Round 3, Game 5: Lopez’s legacy game​

After Giannis’ gruesome knee injury in Game 4 against Atlanta, the Bucks fanbase was in shambles, not knowing at that point that he would make a miraculous return just over a week later. Nevertheless, Brook Lopez put his Superman cape on and spurred the Bucks to a Game 5 victory, with 33 points on an uber-efficient 14/18 from the field:

Round 3, Game 6: Holiday and Middleton combine for 59 in the sealer​

Needing to win one more game without Giannis, it was Middleton and Holiday who stepped up, dropping a combined 59 points in enemy territory to stave off a Hawks team that continued to surge all game long:

NBA Finals, Game 3: Bucks save season in drubbing of Suns​

Onto the NBA Finals, where we forget about Games 1 and 2 for obvious reasons, and move directly to the Game 3 drubbing, with this teamwork on the fastbreak being my favourite highlight of the game:

NBA Finals, Game 4: Connaughton and Antetokounmpo come up huge​

PC had come up big on more than a few instances throughout that playoff run, but this moment was his biggest. The stones, man:

And then, from the same game, Giannis records the second-greatest block in NBA Finals history:

NBA Finals, Game 5: Knocked away and stolen by Holiday (a few times)​

Before we get to the big one, I just had to chuck this steal from Jrue on Booker on this list. There’s just something so badass about it:

And then, of course, the “valley-oop”:

NBA Finals, Game 6: The guys who started it, finish it​

This shot from Khris doesn’t seem to get talked about much, but I think it might be one of the most critical shots in franchise history. The Bucks were up 100-92 with 2:35 left in the fourth quarter, but were rapidly running out of gas, playing way too slow and coming up empty on the next two possessions. The Suns had whittled the lead down to four with one minute on the clock, and looked to have more in them. Milwaukee then went to a staple horns-like set with Holiday setting the first pick for Middleton, and Gianis handing it off. Middleton wasn’t really “open” at all but knew it had to be him to take the responsibility, rising over Booker to give the team the two-possession cushion it needed to win. Had Khris missed that shot and the Suns scored again, they’d have needed to get one stop and then could have won the game. That alternate reality was imminently possible; thank goodness it’s not actual reality!

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What do you think? Did I miss any plays? Make your thoughts known in the comment section!

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-feat...nnis-khris-middleton-jrue-holiday-brook-lopez

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Giannis refutes rumors of family move to Greece

In a busy stretch of news for the Greek Freak, the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo recently took to Instagram to refute rumors that his family moved to Greece. Per a Google Translation of his post:

Stop lying and endangering my family. Publicity is a result of my choices, not my children’s. Every child has the right to grow up without public pressure.

Every child needs space to grow, explore themselves and the world without feeling watched or judged. As a parent, it is my responsibility to protect their privacy so that they grow up with confidence, dignity and a sense of security.

Do not upload my kids on any platform again….. IT IS ENOUGH

Several familiar themes in this one. First, Giannis is fiercely protective of his children and their privacy. He’s known for adding filters to any pictures of them that he posts.

Second, bad actors are incentivized by a bad system to peddle rumors about Giannis’ future. In this specific instance, the source has a checkered history, the writing reads like AI slop, and the article suggests unrealistic access to sources, but it doesn’t matter; it gets cLiCkZ because it gaslights us into thinking that Giannis is on his way out of Milwaukee.

Don’t give rumors like these the time of day—Giannis has earned our trust.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-news...po-refutes-rumors-family-move-greece-children

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

The NBA: Something to rap about

On August 19th, I read that John Wall announced his retirement from the NBA. I hadn’t really thought about John Wall in a minute, but watching his announcement, a bunch of nostalgia came flooding back to me, especially after I reintroduced “Do the John Wall” back into my playlist rotation. If you went to the right high school gatherings or college parties around the 2010s, you might have heard the Troop 41 rap song “Do the John Wall.”

The catchy club-banger made sure to keep basketball in the forefront. This song was my introduction to John Wall. Back then I was a casual basketball fan and was not familiar with all the players in the league, especially if they weren’t on the Bucks. With this song in my head, I decided to check out some of John Wall’s high school highlights online, and was pretty impressed by what I saw.

With John Wall’s retirement, it’s worth reminding some younger NBA fans who he was. Wall was an influential player who made an impact in all levels of the game. In the start of his career, he revolutionized how players marketed themselves by having arguably the most iconic high school mixtapes of that era (which introduced me to how skilled of a player he already was at a young age). He then developed into an impressive and decorated collegiate athlete in his one and only year at the University of Kentucky in 2010: the Adolph Rupp Trophy winner, SEC Player of the Year, USBWA National Freshman of the Year, and consensus first-team All-American. Finally stepping into the league as a dynamic and strong two-way player, John Wall was drafted by the Washington Wizards in the 2010 draft class. His career carried on with some success and accolades—5x NBA All-Star, All-NBA Third Team, All-Defensive Second Team, All-Rookie First Team, and Slam Dunk Contest Champion—but ultimately ended with disappointment due to nagging injury issues that stayed with him for most of his career. His career was impressive, but few would consider him one of the greats. So why would he be considered so memorable for many NBA fans? It’s because John Wall is one of the few NBA stars immortalized in song.

For those that don’t know the absolute banger that is “Do the John Wall” by Troop 41, the rap song shouts out the Raleigh, NC native with a dance to go along with it. The song, like others of the time, helped to express fans’ love and support for a player they feel excelled and represented their region or team well. Examples of this that you might remember are “Derrick Rose” by Meek Mill or “Kobe Bryant” by Lil Wayne. Both songs are great examples of a player who meant a lot to their respective franchises and/or city. Carrying the discussion of these players away from simply the on-court context, these songs also help to demonstrate which players leave a lasting impact on the culture, in and around the NBA.

The type of players that get selected can vary rather dramatically. Players that mean a lot to the league present obvious candidates, like Michael Jordan (see Kendrick for that one), LeBron James (Anderson .Paak’s got a solid one), or the already referenced Kobe Bryant. These players have helped to shape the league that we love and are remembered still decades after their retirement from the league. Sometimes niche players can arise, like the 2020 Jack Harlow track “Tyler Herro,” and who can forget the ubiquitous 2018 hit “Mo Bamba” by Sheck Wes. These examples indicate artists having personal connections to these athletes or identifying with them in some way. Other times, they can have a little more depth to them, like the indie group Band of Horses’ song “Detlef Schrempf.” The band’s song uses the All-Star and 2x 6MOY winner as a metaphor for losing someone important to you, referencing how Supersonics fans felt when Schrempf was traded to the Trail Blazers. Bucks fans still grieving over the departure of Khris Middleton may connect with the song’s sentiment…

Today, rappers continue this trend, referencing players new and old. Freddie Gibbs is an example of this in his exceptional 2019 album Bandana, where he crafts a hit track with Anderson .Paak titled “Giannis.”

The track exemplifies how many rappers try to distill a player down to an ethos, and in this case, Freddie notes the tough stoicism that Giannis often represents on and off the court with this double entendre, “Real G’s move in silence like Giannis.” In doing so, the track demonstrates how rap artists have evolved in their songwriting. Although using one-off bars to reference the NBA and its players has been around since the birth of hip hop—see the bars on Sugarhill Gang’s 1979 hit “Rapper’s Delight” (“I got a color TV so I can see the Knicks play basketball”)—the style and approach to how they are entwined has changed just as much as the game itself. Double entendres, stretched rhyme schemes, and more descriptive wordplay have all been tools that rappers have revolutionized and honed to change the landscape of rap. Seeing these tools used has changed the way we listen to the music, no longer just listening for a name drop, but to the creative comparisons that develop the metaphorical context in the song while shaping the identity of the player to the broader public.

With that in mind, I’m not sure if all Bucks fans felt this way, but the “Giannis” track by Freddie Gibbs felt like a special moment in Giannis’ career. Is it an exaggeration to say this song felt like Giannis winning a second MVP award in 2019? Arguably one of the biggest lyrical rappers in the game centered an entire song around him, helping to create an identity for Giannis that the broader hip hop and NBA fandom can connect with. The song wasn’t just a reaction to his dominant performance on the court, but a sense of his arrival to the NBA fandom as a whole.

Rap as a genre has transformed dramatically, but you can still see a lot of influence from earlier eras in today’s music. Although the bars may be referencing different players over time, with different reasons behind it, artists are still feeling connections with NBA players and the NBA as a whole. We are awed by the physical feats they are able to perform, we feel a sense of pride when they bring acclaim to our team and our city, and we can admire how they carry themselves both on and off the court. John Wall may not be one of the greatest point guards of all time, but he connected with a fanbase in such a way that made his game a good deal more memorable than it would have otherwise been. All thanks to Troop 41 and millions of high school and college kids flexing along to the beat.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-feat...o-freddie-gibbs-anderson-paak-milwaukee-bucks

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Johnny Davis’ rights acquired by Wisconsin Herd

Wisconsin Badger legend Johnny Davis may be coming back to his home state for the upcoming season. Per a release from the Wisconsin Herd, the team traded the returning player rights to Diego Bernard and Jalen Lewis, a 2026 G League Player Draft first-round pick, and a 2026 G League International Draft pick to the Westchester Knicks, in exchange for Davis’ returning player rights.

Davis burst onto the draft scene in 2022 after winning Big Ten Player of the Year, leading Wisconsin to a share of the regular-season Big Ten championship and earning first-team All-American honors. The Wizards selected Davis with the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, but things never clicked in Washington. He appeared in 112 games over three seasons, averaging just 3.5 points and 1.6 rebounds.

Ironically, Davis played his best NBA game against the Bucks on April 4, 2023. In a late regular-season matchup, Davis posted a career-high 20 points and added five rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals. He also threw down a nasty dunk over Jrue Holiday, reminding fans what made him a superstar for Wisconsin.

Unfortunately, the performance against the Bucks was not a good representation of how his career has gone thus far, and he’s been mostly in the G League as of late. He played in eight games with the Westchester Knicks last season after the Wizards traded him to Memphis at the deadline, who waived him two weeks later. Including previous stints with the Capital City Go-Go—Washington’s affiliate—he has played 47 games in the G League, averaging 11.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.

Davis joins Aleem Ford as the second former Badger acquired by the Herd this offseason. Ford was acquired from the Rip City Remix, along with a 2026 G League Player Draft first-round pick, in exchange for former Buck Liam Robbins in September. Robbins, along with our old friend MarJon Beauchamp, was waived by Portland yesterday.

It’s extremely unlikely that Davis ever plays a minute for the Bucks, but perhaps the La Crosse native could find his footing with the Herd, playing in the comfort of his home state. It is Davis’ last season eligible for a two-way contract, although that feels like a long shot anyway. Despite the Herd having his rights, he still has the option to go overseas and never suit up for the team. It would be fun for Wisconsin sports fans to see a Badger legend play in Oshkosh, but the main hope is that Davis can find the best situation for himself and remind everyone what made him special at Wisconsin.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-free...d-wisconsin-herd-nba-g-league-milwaukee-bucks

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons Preseason Preview: Back to basketball

The second game of preseason is here, with the Milwaukee Bucks taking on a divisional foe in the Detroit Pistons tonight at Fiserv. The Bucks are coming off a win over the Miami Heat on Monday night, as are the Pistons, who beat the Memphis Grizzlies.

Where We’re At​

There has been considerable chatter surrounding Giannis in recent days, but as far as the basketball is concerned, there was some encouraging stuff from their preseason game. I love the fact that the team is leaning more into playing multi-faceted players who are not specialists at one thing. AJ Green, KPJ, Ryan Rollins, and Cole Anthony are all players who can dribble, pass, and shoot; this allows the offence to keep flowing and not suddenly stop when one minor advantage is taken away. Unfortunately, with Giannis out again, we won’t know for sure whether Kyle Kuzma is destined for a starting or bench role this season.

On the other hand, the Pistons largely retained the same core, following a playoff berth last season for the first time in a hot minute. Cade Cunningham announced himself to the average NBA fan last year, while players like Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and Jaden Ivey (who missed most of last year due to injury) will be looking to do the same this season. Of course, one notable exclusion from this team (for now, at least) is one-time Buck Malik Beasley, who is still under investigation by the NBA for gambling allegations. That said, Detroit got Beasley insurance with the signing of Duncan Robinson, who plugs into the movement shooter role seamlessly.

Injury Report​

Finding injury info in the preseason is not the easiest, since there are no official injury reports. For the Bucks, we know that Giannis will be out as he recovers from a bout with COVID. Cole Anthony had stitches after getting hit on the chin against the Heat so that he may be a watch for tonight.

For the Pistons, Jalen Duren has been day-to-day with hamstring tightness, so expect him to miss, while Colby Jones will be out with a bothersome ankle.

Player To Watch​

Kyle Kuzma is someone Bucks fans should continue to keep an eye on. How they utilise him this season will be pivotal to the team’s success. Kuzma didn’t shoot the ball well on Monday, but I thought he made some nice passes. How do they get more of the good stuff out of him and minimise the bad stuff?

How To Watch​

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 7:00 p.m. CDT.

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Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-game...-preview-start-time-tv-schedule-injury-report

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

Preseason Rapid Recap: Bucks 117, Pistons 111

After taking home the win in their preseason opener in Miami, the Milwaukee Bucks graced the home court of Fiserv Forum for the first time this season. In a big performance from AJ Green, who put up 22 points on a perfect 5/5 from the field (all three-pointers) and 7/7 from the free throw line, the Bucks took down the Detroit Pistons 117-111.

NBA.com Box Score

Game Recap​

Both teams kept it close throughout the entire first quarter. Kevin Porter Jr. opened the scoring for the Bucks with a shot that is so quintessential of who KPJ is: a circus corner three while contested and falling to the ground. Myles Turner was able to get his first points at Fiserv Forum for the first time as a non-visiting player, with a 17-footer. Cade Cunningham was a problem for the Bucks, going 4/6 from the field and scoring 11 points throughout the quarter. The Bucks’ three-point shooting and ball movement were a boost for them, going 7/10 (!) from downtown and having nine assists on 11 made shots. That combination allowed them to hold off a strong push from the Pistons, going into the second quarter up by two, 33-31.

The Pistons’ size and length gave the Bucks fits on offense throughout much of the second quarter. They blitzed the Bucks’ undersized backcourt of Ryan Rollins and Cole Anthony, going on a 12-2 run in the first three minutes of the quarter to go up 43-35. That lead kept expanding for the Pistons, getting up to as many as 12 with 5:09 left in the second quarter. The Bucks were able to cut it under double digits thanks to the heroics of AJ Green, who scored seven straight, thanks to a big three with the shot clock running down, and then four straight made free throws. The Northern Iowa product kept up his hot shooting with another triple, bringing his total up to 10 points after not taking a shot in the first quarter. It wasn’t enough to break any closer, as the Pistons ended the first half with a tip-dunk from Bobi Klintman, giving them a 72-60 lead.

Milwaukee was able to get on track in the third, thanks to Green once again. He hit two big-time threes and three free throws as part of a 12-5 run to tie the game at 79-79. For the first time in a Bucks uniform, Rollins fouled out with 5:04 left in the third quarter and was replaced by Amir Coffey. As the quarter progressed, Doc Rivers began to sub in more of the end-of-bench guys, with Gary Harris, Andre Jackson Jr., and two-way Jamaree Bouyea. Even with that, the Bucks were able to hang in close with the Pistons. Harris even hit a three-pointer, but followed it up by giving up an and-one layup to Paul Reed to tie the game back up at 89-89. Neither team could buy a bucket to end the frame, so the two divisional rivals went into the fourth quarter tied at 89-89.

The backups kept a less-than-capacity crowd at Fiserv Forum entertained with a tightly contested game throughout the fourth quarter. Chris Livingston made his first appearance of the evening and was aggressive from the jump, drawing two fouls and hitting 3/4 from the free-throw line. The former Kentucky Wildcat’s efforts helped Milwaukee build a three-point cushion until the Pistons’ Tolu Smith hit a layup and Brice Williams hit a pair of free throws. Those four points gave Detroit a one-point lead with 6:19 left in regulation. Then the play of the night came from Thanasis Antetokounmpo, where he caught and threw down a one-handed lob from Mark Sears to give the Bucks a four-point edge late in the final period. After a few clutch layups from the undrafted Sears, the Bucks were able to hang on to win their second preseason game.

Looks like the Achilles is just fine for Thansis:

— Jackson Gross (@jgrossreporter.bsky.social) 2025-10-10T02:41:28.486Z

Stat That Stood Out​

From executives to coaches to players, the Bucks have talked all offseason that they need to shoot more three-pointers after leading the league in percentage last season. So far through two preseason games, that’s held up. After taking 41 in Miami, they followed that up with an 18/36 performance against the Pistons, with AJ Green and Taurean Prince leading the way with five and three makes, respectively, from distance.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-scor...ns-final-score-recap-aj-green-cade-cunningham

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

The story of MarJon Beauchamp is a tragedy

On Tuesday, the Portland Trail Blazers waived MarJon Beauchamp, who was on a non-guaranteed training camp deal. This move may be more than just a bump in the road for Beauchamp. It could mark the conclusion of his NBA career.

Beauchamp, of course, was Milwaukee’s 24th overall pick back in the 2022 NBA draft. It wasn’t viewed as a home-run choice in the moment, but there was reason for optimism. The athletic tools and natural aptitude, especially as a scorer, have been there for MarJon from the beginning. He was just always going to be more of a project pick than some of his peers. A more NBA-ready prospect, like Christian Braun or Jake LaRavia, could have been a better pick for the contending Bucks, but they were off the board. Jon Horst has proven to be a big-swing taker, and again, there were reasons to be optimistic about Beauchamp.

Unfortunately, things never panned out for Beauchamp in Milwaukee. The G League Ignite product was given ample playing time early on, even starting 11 games as a rookie, but he was never able to find a go-to skill or a comfortable role. He flashed impressive play, delivering some highlight scoring performances, but they rarely felt impactful. He fell behind in the rotation over time and adopted a “get mine” mentality in the short stints he would play in blowouts. To be clear, Beauchamp never looked like a bad player. Many players less talented than him have come and gone in this league. He just never assimilated himself into the life of a role player, and doing so was his key to sticking around.

Ultimately, the Beauchamp experiment in Milwaukee ended with him being flipped to the Clippers in exchange for Kevin Porter Jr. last February, which has looked like a major steal for the Bucks so far. MarJon played just three games for LA, and they waived him in less than a month. He latched on with the Knicks after that, inking a two-way deal that saw him log 2.8 MPG late in the 2024–25 regular season. Going there probably wasn’t the best decision for him— Tom Thibodeau infamously ignores bench guys. Still, he stayed with New York for the 2025 Summer League, where he showed out statistically, averaging 14.8 PPG. However, in those games, he was acting like a star, taking on heavy on-ball duties and hunting difficult shots. That’s just not what teams will want to see from him at this point, but he seemingly hasn’t realized it yet.

Now that he’s been waived, there are a couple potential pathways on the table for Beauchamp. He could join the Rip City Remix (Portland’s G League affiliate) and try to earn a two-way contract during the season: the 25-year-old has one more year of two-way eligibility. He’s played well in the G throughout his career, averaging 16.7 points in 33 games, but again, NBA teams won’t be looking for him to be an on-ball bucket-getter. The other main option for Beauchamp is to go overseas, which truly might be what’s best for him and his career. In another league, he could be the man, and he definitely has the skillset to achieve stardom across the water. Jordan Nwora, another former Buck with a love for volume scoring, went to Israel last year and became a featured piece of his new club. Beauchamp could follow in his footsteps.

An NBA comeback doesn’t have to be completely off the table for MarJon. Gaining experience elsewhere and learning more about what it means to be a pro could help him get back in the league in the future, a la Guerschon Yabuesle and Dante Exum. For now, though, it’s unlikely Beauchamp finds himself on another roster after being cut. His story is a bummer, but it’s still being written. The next chapter could be a happy one if it takes place in a new setting.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/bucks-feat...milwaukee-bucks-portland-trail-blazers-waived

 

[Milwaukee Bucks]

How to make sure Brew Hoop shows up in your Google search

As many of you are likely aware, Google searches are … different these days.

The good news is Google is offering a solution for folks who like to get their news from specific sources. If you want to help Brew Hoop — while also streamlining all your Google searches — there is now a way.

Simply click on this link and add Brew Hoop as one of your “Source preferences.” That’s all there is to it!

Back in August, the tech giant debuted a feature called “Preferred Sources.” It’s a way for Google to prominently feature the results from websites you trust, like Brew Hoop:

“With the launch of Preferred Sources in the U.S. and India, you can select your favorite sources and stay up to date on the latest content from the sites you follow and subscribe to — whether that’s your favorite sports blog or a local news outlet. …

When you select your preferred sources, you’ll start to see more of their articles prominently displayed within Top Stories, when those sources have published fresh and relevant content for your search.“

As some of you might know, AI searches are hurting outlets around the world and in all spaces. We’ve worked hard at Brew Hoop to build a brand you can trust and rely on for Bucks coverage. Our goal is to serve you, the fans.

If you’re a fan of our work and want to get the best Bucks coverage possible, this is an excellent win-win to improve your Google searches while helping Brew Hoop out.

Source: https://www.brewhoop.com/general/52263/how-to-make-sure-brew-hoop-shows-up-in-your-google-search