The post The Milwaukee Bucks Are Concerning appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The Bucks are currently 13-6, winning three of the last four games. It's true that all wins look the same in the standings. However, given the competition, their recent way of winning is concerning.
Milwaukee entered the 2023 season slightly behind the Boston Celtics as the NBA championship favorite. But squeezing out wins against some of the league's worst is inexcusable.
Last Friday, the Bucks were 13.5-point favorites against the then 2-12 Washington Wizards. The Bucks won by three. Two days later, the then 4-11 Portland Trail Blazers came to town as 12.5-point underdogs. The Bucks needed to pull off a 26-point comeback to win by six.
The following two games are even more alarming. The 4.5-point favored Bucks visited a Miami Heat team without its best scorers, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro. Milwaukee trailed for most of the fourth quarter but won by seven. Once again facing a team without its two stars, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, the 10.5-point favored Bucks lost by seven in OT to the Bulls.
Any team can win on a given night because basketball is a make-or-miss sport. So, the Bucks' loss to the dysfunctional 6-11 Bulls would not be as big of a deal in a vacuum. However, four-straight games playing bad or injured opponents down to the wire is concerning.
So, what's wrong with Milwaukee? The team no longer has one of the league's premier defensive units.
From the 2018 to 2022 seasons, the Bucks's defensive rating ranked 1st, 1st, 9th, 14th, and 4th in the league. In 2023, they have the 20th-best rating.
When the Bucks shocked the league by trading for superstar Damian Lillard, the team sacrificed their perimeter defense. The deal included shipping out three-time All-Defensive First-Team guard Jrue Holiday. Holiday held down opposing perimeter players for the Bucks. Now, he's in Boston.
The Bucks have zero defensive talent on the outside. Lillard is a liability in the pick and role. Offseason pickup Malik Beasley looks lost whenever on an island. And Kris Middleton is having his worst season regarding defense rating.
The Wizards are awful. But the Bucks allowed an embarrasing 70 combined points from a Jordan Poole, Tyus Jones, and Kyle Kuzma trio.
In place of injured Tyler Herro, Miami's Josh Richardson started alongside Kyle Lowry against Milwaukee. Before the match, Richardson and Lowry averaged around eight points per game on low efficiency. The Bucks gave up an efficient 41 points to that backcourt.
Last night, Chicago's Nikola Vucevic had his way in the paint, dropping 29 points. The last time the big man scored at least 20 points was against who else but the Bucks over two weeks ago.
The Bucks shouldn't hit the panic button because they're the third seed in the Eastern Conference. The franchise can thank the greatness of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard for the success.
The duo has combined for at least 60 points in five of their last seven games. The Bucks lost the two contests the duo fell short.
Giannis and Dame combined for 65 PTS in the Bucks W
— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2023
Giannis: 33 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST
Dame: 32 PTS, 4 REB, 9 AST
Milwaukee clinched East Group B and locked down the #1 seed in the Knockout Roundspic.twitter.com/KqCDWZv6pj
The 60-point threshold seems like the Bucks' only way to win. Without Dame in an early November matchup in Indiana, Giannis had 54 points himself. But the Bucks lost by two, surrendering 55 total points to the Pacers starting backcourt.
Sometimes, Dame and Giannis recording more than 60 total points isn't enough. In the particular game against Washington, the Bucks needed 35-year-old Brook Lopez to turn back the clock by tying his career-high of 39 points.
Still, the Bucks are a great team. With a duo as excellent offensively as Dame and Giannis, the team should win most games. However, defensive issues are holding them back from being the near-championship favorite, as projected in the preseason.
People don't say "defense wins championships" for no reason. Only one Finals winner in the last 43 years had a defensive rating ranked 20th or below: the 2000-2001 Los Angeles Lakers. Shaq and Kobe combined for nearly 60 points a night to hide the Lakers' inabilites.
If Milwaukee doesn't make a move at the trade deadline for a perimeter defender, the Bucks' duo should prepare themselves to handle a historic workload. If not, they'll continue to find themselves in games like the recent ones.
The post The Milwaukee Bucks Are Concerning appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post In The Paint: Dame the Most Undervalued Player in the NBA, Kawhi Compared to MJ?! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>On Episode 21 of our In The Paint Show, podcast hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland discuss the SoCal commitments of Cassius Stanley (Sierra Canyon) and Boogie Ellis (Mission Bay) to Duke. The duo breaks down each player, how they fit into Duke's lineup next season, and the history behind Southern California players who don't always pan out when heading east.
The guys also go in-depth on the NBA playoffs, including whether Damian Lillard is the most under-appreciated player in the league and if the Kawhi Leonard comparisons to Michael Jordan are legitimate. Finally, Ronnie and Devin give their advice to high school players gearing up to hoop in front of college coaches during the live viewing period this weekend.
The post In The Paint: Dame the Most Undervalued Player in the NBA, Kawhi Compared to MJ?! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post SheBron Scores 40 Points Per Game with CRAZY VISION! Tough PG Shemera Williams Highlights! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>She reached 2,000 career points as a high school junior last season.
Her strength, toughness, scoring ability, tremendous vision and style of play has earned her the nickname SheBron after LeBron James.
Considered one of the top point guards in her class, Shemera led the nation in scoring last season (39.9 points per game according to Maxpreps).
SheBron also averaged 26 points as a freshman and 31.6 as a sophomore.
Williams recently received the Goodwill Power of Work Girls High School Basketball Player of the Year award in Wisconsin.
We caught Shemera playing AAU with Wisconsin Playground Elite at Nike Nationals at Chicago's Mccormick Place Convention Center.
Shemera's final 6 colleges she's considering are Marquette, Kentucky, Kansas State, DePaul, Missouri and Virginia.
As the video will show, Shemera dominated in every phase of the game: scoring/shooting, passing, defense, etc.
She clearly stood out as an elite passer and elite player overall.
Check out these raw highlights from Nike Nationals featuring Shemera Williams AKA SHEBRON!
For more high school basketball highlights and mixtapes watch and subscribe to all the Ballislife youtube channels and follow @scottballislife on Instagram and @BallislifeCHI on Twitter.
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
The post SheBron Scores 40 Points Per Game with CRAZY VISION! Tough PG Shemera Williams Highlights! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post Trae Jefferson IS BACK! Milwaukee Summa Jam Highlights! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>During summer break, Trae put on for his hometown at the 8th annual Milwaukee Summa Jam 2K18 at the Milwaukee Academy of Science HS.
Current NBA champ, Golden State Warriors Kevon Looney was in the gym supporting his former Milwaukee Rebels AAU teammate Trae Jefferson and the rest of the ballers.
At gametime, the temperature outside was almost 100degrees. The temperature in the packed gym was also almost 100 degrees (mid afternoon).
This caused the floor to become very slippery and even wet in spots. Players were slipping and sliding.
You won't see lighting quick moves by young Trae or high flying dunks by his teammates, but the players still put on for their community, family and friends.
Don't worry. 5'7 point guard Trae is still dunking!!!
Trae's red squad came out on top with Trae finishing as the game's leading scorer!
Thanks to Midwest Ballers and everyone who put on this great free event for the Milwaukee basketball community! Ball is definitely Life in Milwaukee!
Check out these raw highlights featuring Trae Jefferson at Milwaukee Summa Jam!
Stay tuned after the game highlights for bonus Trae Jefferson warmups. It's not every day you see unique talent like that.
For more summer basketball highlights and mixtapes watch and subscribe to all the Ballislife youtube channels and follow @scottballislife on Instagram and @BallislifeCHI on Twitter.
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
The post Trae Jefferson IS BACK! Milwaukee Summa Jam Highlights! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post Tyler Herro Reaches 2,000 Points In Whitnall's Final Home Game! Full Highlights! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>In the WIAA Division 2 Regional Finals, Whitnall hosted rivals New Berlin Eisenhower. New Berlin Eisenhower threw everything at Herro including a varsity football player. They tried to deny the Kentucky commit Herro the ball all game.
In the end Herro scored 35 points (or 34 according to announcer) in his Whitnall Falcons' 64-50 win.
This left Herro with 2012 career points, despite missing much of his junior season (including playoffs).
Next, Whitnall faces Pewaukee in the Sectional.
Check out these raw highlights from Whitnall's regional final high school basketball game versus New Berlin Eisenhower.
After the highlights, check out postgame interviews with Whitnall star senior Tyler Herro where he breaks down the game and previews the next one!
For more high school basketball highlights and mixtapes watch and subscribe to all the Ballislife youtube channels and follow @scottballislife on Instagram and @BallislifeCHI on Twitter.
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
The post Tyler Herro Reaches 2,000 Points In Whitnall's Final Home Game! Full Highlights! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post "Do Whatever It Takes To Win!" Jordan McCabe Record-Breaking 16 Assists vs Undefeated Team! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>Fresh of a productive trip to City of Palms in Ft Myers Florida, Kaukauna faced undefeated Waunakee who are led by Belmont-bound Mitch Listau.
Waunakee put multiple defenders on Mccabe for the entire game. They ran the Diamond and One and stuck with it.
Waunakee broke out to an early lead. But in the second half, the Ghosts scored 60 points on their way to a 101-66 win.
101 is the most points ever scored in the event. West Virginia commit Jordan Mccabe finished with just 9 (or 10) points but added 16 assists setting a new WBY record.
Eric Carl added 22 points for Kaukana. Dylan Kurey was a force for Kaukana finishing with 18 points, 20 rebounds!
Mitch Listau finished with 21 points and Will Knatz scored 16 for Waunakee.
Thanks to Mark Miller and everyone at Wisconsin's premier annual high school basketball event, the 2017 Rick Majerus WBY Shootout at Concordia (near Milwaukee)!
Check out these raw highlights from Kaukauna's game versus Waunakee! Check out Jordan's postgame comments!
For more Midwest high school basketball highlights and mixtapes watch and subscribe to all the Ballislife youtube channels and follow @scottballislife on Instagram and @BallislifeCHI on Twitter. Thanks for watching and subscribing!
The post "Do Whatever It Takes To Win!" Jordan McCabe Record-Breaking 16 Assists vs Undefeated Team! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post Giannis Watches His Lil Bro GO OFF!! Greek Freak 4.0?! Alex Antetokounmpo Highlights! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>In the end, young Alex finished with 19 points before exiting the 72-57 road win at Racine Lutheran (Racine, WI). Abe Scruggs and Gacoby Jones also played will for Dominican as you'll see in the highlights!
Check out these raw highlights from Dominican's game versus Racine Lutheran.
Is this 4th Antetokounmpo really Greek Freak 4.0?!
For more Midwest high school basketball highlights and mixtapes watch and subscribe to all the Ballislife youtube channels and follow @scottballislife on Instagram and @BallislifeCHI on Twitter.
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
The post Giannis Watches His Lil Bro GO OFF!! Greek Freak 4.0?! Alex Antetokounmpo Highlights! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post "The Guys Were TALKING CRAZY!" KENTUCKY commit Tyler Herro scores 42 Points! Full Highlights! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>After picking up a tough loss versus Chicago Orr (#1 in Chicago), Whitnall returned home to face Milwaukee Destiny.
The gym was packed. We learned that Destiny players had been talking trash on Facebook. The 1-0 Destiny squad had 2-3 defenders on Herro all night. At one point Herro crossed up 2 defenders at once making them collide. He also scored on 3 defenders.
In the end Tyler Herro scored 42 points (according to the scorer's table) in the 69-63 win for Whitnall (now 1-1).
For more high school basketball highlights and mixtapes watch and subscribe to all the Ballislife youtube channels and follow @scottballislife on Instagram and @BallislifeCHI on Twitter.
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
The post "The Guys Were TALKING CRAZY!" KENTUCKY commit Tyler Herro scores 42 Points! Full Highlights! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post Jordan Poole is the Best Shooter in the Midwest! Future Michigan Wolverine is SHIFTY! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The 6'3 17 year old plays with flair, possesses great court vision and has deep range!
Check out this ultimate Ballislife mixtape from Jordan Poole's final year of AAU (with Mac Irvin Fire and Wisconsin Playground Elite) and high school (La Lumiere).
For more high school basketball mixtapes watch and subscribe to all the Ballislife youtube channel's and follow @scottballislife on Instagram and @BallislifeCHI on Twitter.
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
The post Jordan Poole is the Best Shooter in the Midwest! Future Michigan Wolverine is SHIFTY! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post Jabari Parker Puts in Summer Work at Hometown Chi League! Scores 31 appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>In front of a capacity crowd (free admission) at sweltering Whitney Young High School (no air conditioning) on the city's near west side, Jabari scored 31 and hauled in 10+ rebounds as his dad Sonny's Team Parker won it's first game.
Check out this exclusive raw footage from Jabari Parker's appearance at the 2016 Nike Chi League.
For more Chi League and Pro Am basketball mixtapes and highlights watch and subscribe to Ballislife Midwest youtube channel and follow @scottballislife on Instagram and @BallislifeCHI on Twitter.
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
The post Jabari Parker Puts in Summer Work at Hometown Chi League! Scores 31 appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post Tough, Athletic Shooter 6'6 Terrence Lewis Having Breakout Season! (Milwaukee Riverside HS 2017) appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>A long, athletic player, Lewis is a stingy defender, gathering rebounds and blocking shots. As of this week (Jan 30, 2016), Lewis is averaging 23.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game for the season.
At the moment, Lewis holds D1 offers from Auburn, Bradley, Illinois-Chicago, Milwaukee and Toledo, and we expect the list to grow!
We caught up with Lewis for 2 games at the 11th annual Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout at Concordia University in Mequon, WI which featured the top teams as well as the top players across the board from the state of Wisconsin.
The first day, Terrence finished with 22 points in Milwaukee Riverside's 67-49 victory over Homestead HS. The next day (also in the video), Lewis scored 30 points (six 3s) in an 89-55 win over De Pere, also from Wisconsin.
Check out this raw footage from Terrence in action at the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout at Concordia University (Mequon, WI)
For more Wisconsin HS basketball mixtapes and raw game footage watch and subscribe to the BallislifeMidwest youtube channel and follow @scottballislife on Instagram and @BallislifeCHI on Twitter.
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
And thanks Mark Miller and everyone at the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout at Concordia University (Mequon, WI)
The post Tough, Athletic Shooter 6'6 Terrence Lewis Having Breakout Season! (Milwaukee Riverside HS 2017) appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post 2013 Kevon Looney Ballislife Mixtape | Next Durant? appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>6'8 power forward Kevon Looney (Milwaukee Hamilton Class of 2014) may play for a relatively unknown AAU program, the Milwaukee Rebels, but he's one of the nation' s top overall players!
Considered one of the top 10 players in the Class of 2014, Kevon Looney displayed his unique combination of size, length, skill and athleticism playing with the Milwaukee Running Rebels (17U) at the 2013 Chicago Classic and 2013 HOF Chicago Championship (Presented by Basketbull). He dominated at all times, finishing with several triple doubles (10+ blocks). And he dunked on countless defenders.
Kevon Looney's many college offers include Duke, Michigan State, Florida, Wisconsin, Tennessee and UCLA.
Thanks to the Milwaukee Running Rebels players and coaches.
For more Kevon Looney and the best AAU and HS highlights from the Midwest, watch www.ebooksnet.com/midwest and subscribe to our youtube channel: youtube.com/ballislifemidwest!
The post 2013 Kevon Looney Ballislife Mixtape | Next Durant? appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post Brandon Jennings - Under the Armour All-Star Weekend appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>Brandon Jennings on the grind.
What do you do if you aren't picked to be an all-star? If you're Brandon Jennings you get in the gym and train. We check in with Brandon during his intense workout sessions over the NBA All-Star break as he looks to bring the Bucks back to the playoffs.
Tracks: Nosia - Tommy's Theme, Phantogram - When I'm Small
The post Brandon Jennings - Under the Armour All-Star Weekend appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post Top 50 Moments Of NBA Lockout 2011! Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant & MANY MORE! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>Check out The Top 50 Moments from the 2011 NBA Lockout Games.
Special thanks to the following:
www.themarsreel.com
duro sports
digitaldreamvideos.biz
And all of the NBA players who took part in the charity events throughout the country. You really made these last 6 months something that NBA fans will never forget!
The post Top 50 Moments Of NBA Lockout 2011! Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant & MANY MORE! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>The post Brandon Jennings-Under The Armour- Episode 4 appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>