It's funny how NBC posted an article today pointing out how the Bucks' defense sucks, because I was going to make that same observation after watching them play the Pistons a couple of nights ago. And now, I regret ranking Milwaukee higher than the Nuggets at the beginning of this season, under the belief that they had a better frontcourt defensively.
At the heart of the problem, the way I see it, really isn't the fact that Lillard is a palpable stepdown on defense from Jrue Holiday, because truth be told most teams, by the design of the league even, kinda suck when it comes to perimeter defense anyway. Dudes be bustin' threes and driving to the lane like it's nothing these days. The bigger problem is that Brook Lopez has visibly lost a step, maybe even two. Also, please don't tell me that Khris Middleton is injured again. Like who couldn't see that coming?
That said, it isn't as if the Bucks suck. They do have Giannis and Dame, two players who, and especially the latter, can win games on their own. So their situation feels a bit more hopeful than, say, the Clippers. But it's also sorta obvious that, as it currently stands, the Sixers and Celtics are in a different class than the Bucks.
LET'S GO, T-WOLVES!
I have yet to see the Timberwolves play this season, but, from what I've been reading, they've been representing. Remember that this is the team I predicted to win it all at the beginning of last season. It proved obvious pretty quickly that was a hasty prediction. But now that they're healthy and getting their shit together, Minnesota is living up the potential that I expected of them, such as recently beating the Celtics, who lack a palpable interior defensive presence, having traded away Robert Williams III (who, btw, is currently injured anyway).
REMEMBER THE BIGS
Remember that even as recently as last season, there were so-called analysts, even some on the payroll of of major media organizations and maybe some employed by teams also, arguing that bigmen are played out. Now, for those teams that were actually dumb enough to heed that type of advice, if you don't have a viable big on your roster, then you're assed out. That's how the Nuggets were able to beat the Warriors the other night. Jokic, instead of focusing on shooting jumpers, was banging inside, and there was no one on Golden State to give him any type of notable resistance. Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon is still doing his thing, and Michael Porter Jr. has finally seen the light and is even averaging 8 rebounds. So who's going to be able to stop the Nuggets? It can only be a team with comparable size, like the Sixers, Bucks or T-Wolves or one that is really loaded on the wings, like the Suns or Clippers (or Dubs, if the Splash Bros. are on fire).
KAWHI, THE ODD MAN OUT
I know it's only been a couple of games since the Beard has arrived in LA, but something just doesn't feel right with the Clippers. And the funny thing is, based on what I've seen, Kawhi Leonard, arguably the best player on the squad, appears to be the odd man out with this current arrangement.
Trading for Harden was a risky move, or let me know one which LAC's braintrust should have already had a solid idea what they were going to do with him before making the deal. It appears that inevitably, either he or Westbrook is going to head to bench. Logic would dictate that if anyone it should be Harden, since the Clippers were apparently playing better before he arrived (and with pieces they have now traded away). But then it's like, if they do bench one of them and slot Kawhi back to the 3, then who's going to start at the 4? Their frontcourt is already thin enough, but the logical conclusion would be the semi-ageless PJ Tucker.
So the way I see it, the real problem with LAC may turn out to be a ego thing. It's kinda like how, when Jordan Poole was around, the Warriors were arguably better with Steph coming off the bench. But then it's like, you can't bench Steph.
So when it comes time to choose between either Harden or Westbrook starting, I wonder if LAC is going to chicken out and prioritize James over Russell. You know what I mean? Like I wouldn't want to be the one to tell the Beard to come off the bench, you know, especially for $30+mil/year. By the time all is said and done, if things they don't work out, some higher up in the braintrust is probably going to get the boot.
FUK THEY DOING TO WEMBY?
First of all, let's get this out of the way - the Spurs' roster, relatively speaking, sucks. They traded their lone allstar, Dejounte Murray, during the offseason of 2022 in the name of tanking to get Victor Wembanyama, and that goal has been accomplished. But let's just say, as amazing as Wemby may be, he ain't no Shaq. And it's becoming increasingly obvious that his game doesn't respond well to intentional contact, which is understandable, considering he's currently one of the skinniest player in the league.
So there's two things that's concerning me here. First is that, development-wise, I would argue that it's not ideal for someone who's apparently a future allstar to get drafted onto a garbage team. Like you don't want a player who's potentially an all-time great to get used to losing. And if the Spurs are unable to attract any quality free agents or make an exceptional trade or two, then they're going to have to rely on some of that draft magic from days past.
But second and more concerning is the way Popovich and them are using him. They have Wembanyama, who's like the tallest dude in the NBA, basically playing the 2. Then, when he does find himself in the post, it's obvious that he isn't used to playing interior defense (or is intimidated by it). Furthermore, based on what I've seen, he never posts up on offense, despite once again being the tallest player in the league. Then it's like they be giving him these extended rests during key stretches of the game, sorta like they value and are trying to preserve him over the rest of the squad, which I'm presuming isn't particularly good for the morale of his teammates. You know, even if it is true, don't make it obvious.
When the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan, he had the luxury of playing alongside a perennial allstar, David Robinson, from the get-go. But as for Wembanyama, who knows when or if San Antonio will get someone else to ease the pressure, if you will. But that said, it's pretty obvious, as it currently stands, that fans are going to vote Victor into the 2024 All-Star Game. So it remains to be seen if the coaches and media will rain on the parade.
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