GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 16: Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo comes out on to the ... [+] field during a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on September 16, 2018 in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe Milwaukee Bucks should look to their Wisconsin neighbors to the north as a cautionary tale about how difficult it is to win a championship(s) in professional sports.
Once upon a time, the Green Bay Packers’ future looked bright. They came out of nowhere to win a Super Bowl with a 27-year-old quarterback smack dab in the middle of his prime. He was surrounded by offensive weapons up the ying yang, an elite defense and a creative coach.
They rolled the league the following season by going 15-1 in the NFL and sporting an unstoppable offense. The destiny word was being thrown around while describing this team.
Unfortunately, here we are 12 years later and Green Bay has yet to win another Super Bowl; nonetheless, make an appearance in the game. They made multiple conference championship games, lost several home playoff games and failed to live up to the expectations. They could be looking at a long and painful rebuild after their playoff-eliminating loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday night. My, how quickly the tables turned.
The Bucks, too, won a championship with their best player beginning his prime, as Giannis Antetokounmpo was 26 when they won the NBA Finals in 2021. He was surrounded by a well-balanced team where the sum is greater than its parts, the defense has been elite for years now, and the head coach is one of the best in the NBA.
Sound familiar?
If the Bucks aren’t careful, they, too, will squander opportunities to win multiple championships. There’s a strong case they already have.
Milwaukee won 60 games in Mike Budenhozler’s first season at the helm and rolled through the NBA. Budenholzer unlocked Antetokounmpo and the defense, giving them a true identity to lean on. Their 8.6 net rating is the third-highest since the 2017-18 season.
Shoot, they were breezing through the playoffs by winning 10 of their first 11 games. With a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals, it looked like they would walk into the NBA Finals. That’s when everything began to fall apart with a double-overtime loss to the Raptors in Game 3. Toronto ran the table, eliminated the Bucks and the rest is history.
Milwaukee came back with a vengeance the following season and were even better. Their 9.4 net rating is the best mark since 2017-18 and they were on pace for 63 wins before COVID-19 messed everything up. The NBA paused the season and only later resumed it in a bubble in Orlando. The Bucks never recovered, losing to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
The Bucks finally got over the hump in 2021 thanks to a couple of key personnel moves before and during the season. Antetokounmpo proved himself to be the greatest basketball player alive with a massive Final’s performance that ended with a 50-burger in Game 6, winning the Finals.
Milwaukee has a built-in excuse for not defending their title last season, as Khris Middleton got injured in the first round of the playoffs. The Bucks pushed the Celtics to seven games and ground throughout the series. There’s no shame in that, but it’s another lost opportunity in a field where you can quickly become irrelevant again.
The core around Antetokounmpo is aging. And quickly. Middleton is 31, Jrue Holiday 32, Brook Lopez 34, Joe Ingles 35, Pat Connaughton 30. It won’t be long until the Bucks’ front office has to make some difficult personnel decisions—that could begin this offseason when Middleton has a $40 million player option.
Antetokounmpo recently spoke to the media about how they are focused on building good habits. He tried to quiet the anxious storm he felt around the team and their recent blowout losses. It was yet another inspiring speech in a growing list of them.
One word of caution to Mr. Antetokounmpo: Sometimes urgency is a good thing.
He will not always be surrounded by this level of talent and be the most physically dominating player in the most athletic league in the world. If the Bucks aren’t careful, they could be left standing with just one championship trophy. Just like their neighbors to the north.
Brian Sampson, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansampson/2023/01/09/milwaukee-bucks-should-use-packers-as-cautionary-tale/
By: Brian Sampson, Contributor
Title: Milwaukee Bucks Should Use Packers As Cautionary Tale
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/briansampson/2023/01/09/milwaukee-bucks-should-use-packers-as-cautionary-tale/
Published Date: 01-10-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a player allowed to stay on waivers
If a NBA basketball player is let go during the season by their club, they are considered waived. Waived players can be claimed by another team within 48 hours. If the player is claimed by more than one team, priority will be given to the team with a poor record.
How much does a NBA ref make?
Referees working in the National Basketball Association are paid competitive salaries for their officiating roles. An average NBA referee makes between $150,000 to $550,000 annually. The pay scale is dependent on experience. More experienced referees earn higher salaries. Referees in the playoffs and Finals receive higher salaries than referees with additional roles such training new refs or working within the video review department. Some NBA referees receive royalties or endorsements from media outlets and television broadcasts. If you are willing to work hard and dedicate yourself, becoming a NBA referee can be a very lucrative job.
NBA referees get a salary in addition to retirement and health plans. Referees are able to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make critical calls that can affect a game's outcome. Refs also often receive subsidized accommodations, meals, and travel to away games. As referees strive for perfection on court, this can offer additional peace of mind.
NBA referees receive a decent wage for their hardwork and dedication. This is especially true when they are responsible to enforce the rules in one of the most popular sports in world. It can be hard work, but referees get a chance to make a difference in basketball.
What is the NBA salary cap
The NBA salary cap limits the total salary each team can earn. Each year, the league decides what this limit is. It is intended to maintain parity between teams and prevent them from signing multiple high cost players. The cap must be kept below the teams' level in order to trade or sign free agents. They can exceed it if they use certain exceptions, such as signing a player with Bird rights or offering a player a contract with portions of their salary counted against the cap and the remaining portion paid out as a bonus. The league has a salary cap that is integral to the league. It helps ensure a level playing field for all teams.
What is a restricted agent free in NBA?
An NBA restricted-free agent is a player whose rookie contract has been completed and who becomes an unrestricted, free agent. However, their rights are still owned by their previous team. In this case, the team can match any offer sheet made to them by another team. If they choose to do so, the player must remain with their previous team and honour their existing contract. This allows teams to keep players who are valuable but not able to pay their salary. Restricted free agents can be a valuable type of free agent, which allows teams to have greater flexibility when building their rosters.
Who holds the record at the NBA for most career playoff wins
LeBron Jam is the leading figure in the NBA Playoffs history with 174 wins and 266 games, so it's no surprise that he's one of the most sought after basketball players.
What is the difference of a technical foul and a foul flagrantly in the NBA
A technical foul in the NBA refers to unsportsmanlike conduct, such as fighting with officials and excessive celebration. A technical foul gives you one free throw and the opposing team takes possession of the ball.
A flagrant foul refers to a player who makes abusive or violent contact against another player. It can result in two free shots for the opposing side and possession of a ball. Flagrant fouls can be classified into two categories: Flagrant one or Flagrant 2. Flagrant one, which is less severe than Flagrant 2, does not result in an expulsion from the game.
A personal foul refers to any contact that is illegal between two players. This refers to any illegal hand-checking of, holding, pushing or tripping another player. Personal fouls can lead to free throws or the possession of ball for the other team. Personal fouls, though, do not necessarily signify unsportsmanlike conduct, as opposed to flagrant fouls and technical fouls.
All fouls are allowed in the NBA. They can result either in free throw attempts, or the possession of the ball by the opposing team. The intent behind the foul and the severity and nature of the contact are what distinguish between technical fouls from flagrant and personal fouls.
How much do NBA players make?
The NBA average salary for 2021-2022 is $7.3 million. This figure is calculated using the maximum salary limit of $134million that was set for this year. However, the salaries of individual players can vary depending upon their experiences and achievements.
Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant are superstars that can earn upwards of $40,000,000 per year. Newcomers may only be able to make the minimum $898,310 salary. Other veteran players could be eligible for exception salaries that range from $4.76million to $9.258million, depending on how many years they have been playing. A player may be eligible to receive bonuses or other incentives depending on how they perform or the success of their team.
Statistics
- Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20 percent of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- As of 2014, 45 percent of its viewers were black, while 40 percent were white, making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.[102]As of 2017Democrats than Republicans.[103]Outside (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20% of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
nba.com
si.com
- NBA Free Agency Preview - Biggest Questions and Rumors
- Free from Quarantine: The NBA bubble Is A Unique Experience
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
sbnation.com
How To
What is the best method to get drafted into NBA?
You can become a NBA player by going to college or high school.
NCAA schools are available to college students, such as Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of Kentucky. These schools offer four years of education and training. This period teaches players how to handle the ball, shoot, and rebound. They also learn how to manage an offense and defend. And they hone the mental aspects of being a professional athlete.
Prep schools are open to high school athletes from outside their home states. These schools offer personalized attention and focus on talent development. Students are taught how to be a good student, develop character, and practice sportsmanship.
Both types of players must pass the same physical tests before they are allowed to enter the draft. The test requires that you run 40 miles, jump over a 5’6” box, stand on one side, and throw a football through an open tire.
All players who pass these tests will be invited to participate at workouts for different NBA teams. The teams evaluate players based upon their height, weight and wingspan.
Teams also take into account their past experience. A player who has played AAU basketball will be given preference.
Players considered too small to play professionally are sometimes called "one-and-done" prospects. These players are usually chosen by the second round.
Some players will skip college to go straight to the NBA. These players are known to be "prospects". Prospects don't have to wait to declare themselves eligible to draft.
They may apply for an exemption in order to be permitted to join the draft earlier. If a prospect does so, he will be able to compete against other prospects during the pre-draft process.
Participation is an option for prospective players who want to increase their chances in getting selected. Summer leagues are held in July, August.
These events allow scouts to see players in action without worrying about injury risks.
The NBA Draft is held in June. It is the time when all the top players are evaluated by the NBA teams. Each team is given a number of picks during each round.
In this example, the 15th overall pick is the first pick of the first round. In the third round, the 20th selection is the 60th pick.
Teams make trades after the draft to complete their rosters. Some teams even hold mini-camp tryouts inviting potential draftees to train with them.
Draft day is exciting! What happens?
You can start waiting to hear your name called once the draft starts. Each NBA team picks a player from the pool.
When a team has selected a player, it sends him his contract, which details his salary and playing time as well as benefits. He becomes a member of the organization.
He also receives a jersey that bears his name and a uniform that includes his new nickname.
Finally, he signs a contract. That is when he officially joins NBA.
