Jorge Sedano on Bucks’ Fearless Frontcourt, Eastern Conference & Cole Anthony (Hear District Ep. 72)

Jorge Sedano on Bucks’ Fearless Frontcourt, Eastern Conference & Cole Anthony (Hear District Ep. 72)

Just that level of athleticism, the ability to cover ground, it’s going to be really hard to score on Milwaukee because those guys can just cover so much space. I think Miles has been quietest, kept a superstar in his role. I think he’s led the league in total blocks over the last five or six years. Every year he’s up there. It almost feels like when you call him an elite level role player, that’s a knock on him. It’s not. Five time allstar Marcus Johnson alongside Marcus Johnson. What’s up everybody? the Sahir district, captain of this vessel and I got my first mate, my number one son, Christian Johnson. What up? Talk to me. Let it rain, man. Let it rain. I guess I go. Guess what? We’re going back to break. Go fight. Go fight. Welcome everybody to the here district. Marcus Johnson. You’re listening to a Bucks Plus audio production on the Bucks Plus Network. Your weekly pulse on the Milwaukee Bucks straight from a Bucks legend. This is Here District with Marcus Johnson alongside his son and 1995 NCAA champion Chris. Here’s MJ. All right, welcome everybody to here District. I am the captain of this vessel, Marcus Johnson here on this fantastic voyage. My first mate, Chris Johnson. What’s happening, man? How you living? Everything good? Going good. What’s happening? Long time no see. Long and I say a long time. I say that faciciously because we were hanging at the beach this morning as you guys were putting my daughter Shiloh, your sister, through a rigorous workout uh down at the lagoon and play Del Re. So, that was that was cool. So, listen man, talk about a fantastic voyage. Chris, you know, a month ago, a month ago, if you would have told me that the roster construction of this team would look like it looks right now, I would have said, “Man, that’s unbelievable.” But it started out, Chris, when John Horse, the horse trader, decided to stretch Dame Lillard, stretch that contract. Achilles probably not gonna be available until maybe March at the earliest, April, maybe not at all next year. Uh, but that was that was a key move. But then Dame and so we all talked about it that Dame gets his money, gets all of his money. And then I just found out he actually gets the the 54 plus whatever. It’s not like they’re stretching Dame. They’re just stretching. Yeah, we were trying to clarify that with Jim O. And I think it I think he gets his 54, but then on the salary cap tip is 22 on the Yeah, that’s a salary move. But he gets his he gets his 54 20 or whatever he’s getting or 16 whatever he’s getting like seven 14 is mid level accepted 13 14. Yeah. Well, and that’s the thing we want to touch on just briefly. But but I’m so glad that Dame, you know, you know, the the the the smart money was saying that he’d wait, rehab, get paid, and then kind of pick and choose toward next season at some point exactly where he thought he’d be a good fit to chase a ring. He’s like, “No, I’m not doing that. Portland is my home. I love Portland. I spent the bulk of my career in Portland. What was it 11, 12 years or whatever it was in Portland? Family still there in Portland, man. He goes back to the funky PO and uh you know I’m just so happy that uh you know he he he he seems to be at peace with his decision. Man, some guys are are easy to root for. Uh Dame’s one of those guys. Just a really solid human being. The kind of guy that you know when he leaves your team, you you hope that he goes somewhere where he’s loved, where they treat him right, and where he can finish his career in a way that he deserves. And I think this is the perfect opportunity. Um, I love what he posted on Instagram. Um, Dylan shared it to our group chat. Sometimes what didn’t work out for you really worked out for you. I mean, that is like I love that line and it worked out for Dame. Now, did it work out for the Bucks? Yeah. No, it worked out for the Bucks. Um, not only Miles, you sound like one of these nast You sound like one of these media guys. No, please don’t say No, seriously, dude. I’m being serious. Don’t do that to me. Oh, you working for ESPN. I’m not a hater like that. But but what I do like but what I do like about the roster construction of the Milwaukee Bucks. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, they got we got 12 guys that are 26 or under the roster, including two waves. Including two waves 12 guys that are, you know, either 26 or what, under 26. Holy crap. Well, you got the 30-y old Bobby and Torian. Torian at 31. But I mean, other than that, I’m trying to think who’s older than 26. Who’s anybody in between that gap? How old is Cuz how old is But uh Okay. Well, C that’s is like 28, 29. Coup is including two-way. So, it’s something sick. But but that we were talking about it on the on the ride over to the beach uh to work Shiloh out. Look, this roster now reflects the modern NBA. What you need to compete, what you need to stay keep up with the Joneses. if you will, young legs that can run, defend, and you got to be able to do it in waves for 48 minutes if you’re trying to compete for a NBA championship. Right after this, we’re gonna bring on ESPN sideline reporter extraordinaire, sometimes host of NBA Today, George Sedano. All right, we want to welcome to to Hear District, George Sadano. George Sidano is NBA sideline reporter at ESPN. George Sidano host a a radio show daily. Uh, also George Sidano is on NBA today. Sometimes hosting, sometimes on the panel, does a little bit of everything. George, welcome to Hear District, man. Thank you guys for having me. I appreciate it so much. Let’s jump right into it, man. Is there a better frontline George in the NBA right now than Giannis and Miles Turner? You got Durant, you got Sangon, you got Jokic and Gordon, you got Moy and Allen, you got Cat and Ojanna Noi, Rudy and Julius, you got Anthony Davis, Derek Lively that made its way into the list, Derek Lively, it’s good but not great. But your your thoughts on this this tandem of Giannis and Miles Turner, where does it rank in terms of twoman front lines in the NBA right now? It it’s certainly up there. I don’t think there’s any question about it. Um, and you talk about I the way that I I think that they can mesh together similarly to the way Brooke played. You know, Miles likes to play outside a lot more, but the difference is Miles, you know, I’m not trying to knock Brooke because Brooke is awesome and Brooke is great, but he’s not as athletic as Miles is. Uh, I don’t think he was ever as athletic as Miles is even now. Uh, so I think that brings a different element to it as well. You know, Miles is an incredible shot blocker, as Brooke was in his time in Milwaukee, but just that level of athleticism, the ability to cover ground, it’s going to be really hard to score on Milwaukee because those guys can just cover so much space. I mean, the of the guys that I mentioned, George, who would you say would give our two our duo some competition for top tandem in the league right now? top front court Taylor between you know Durant and Sang Goon that that you know anytime you got Kevin Durant I mean Moy Jared Allen I like um I don’t know man I just it just doesn’t look like and Jokic because of the sheer greatness of what he brings to the table and Aaron Gordon but who would you think would be the like the biggest competition for Giannis and Miles? Don’t I I think for different reasons. I look at Yogic and Gordon. First of all, they’ve won a championship together, right? So, I think that is the biggest reason I would go with with those guys. Aaron Gordon plays such a huge part in that. He’s basically what I would say a superstar in his role. He may not be a superstar. He may not be an all-star, but he is absolutely an elite level role player who, you know, it almost it almost feels like when you call him an elite level role player, that’s a knock on him. It’s not. Well, I think Miles Turner, I think I love that term, George. You say a superstar in this role. But I think Miles has been quietest kept a superstar in his role. I think he’s led the league in total blocks over the last five or six years. Every year he’s up there in terms of contest which was which Brooke did so well. Brook people don’t realize Brook his contested shots, two-point shots was sometimes three, four, 500 more than the next next guy. So I think Miles could do that. But you mentioned Joic Giannis multiple time MVP. Joic multip multiple time MVP. Uh you got Shay Gilders Alexander, the reigning MVP with the addition not only of Miles Turner George, but also the shooting that they brought back, Gary Trenton Jr., AJ, all these guys coming back, Bobby Porter is coming back, but the additions that we’ve made with with with Cole Anthony and some of these other players, if things fall into place, does Giannis have a legitimate chance to break through for another MVP? I don’t think there’s any question. I mean, you’re talking about a guy who, you know, was scored 30 points per game last year on 60% shooting. So, if he replicates that, he’s going to be in the mix. He finished third. I had him third on my ballot last year. I had Shay, Joic, and Giannis in my top three. So, as long as he’s capable of doing that stuff, what does he got to do to break through that? I mean, and that’s that’s my question is like he’s he’s kind of set, you know, settled into third. NJ, to me, it’s about the team results. I don’t think there’s any doubt. Like I if I were the East is so weird right now and so wide open that you could kind of talk me into, you know, a number of different teams being one of the top six playoff teams. I think Milwaukee is in that mix. And you know, can Kyle Koosma, you know, who was at one point a guy who could star in his role with the Los Angeles Lakers, can he go back to being that kind of guy? because it felt like there were a lot of bad habits he picked up in Washington and it didn’t translate to winning with Milwaukee. I think Kuzz has gotten himself back on the page he needs to be on to be to win play championship basketball and that starts with conditioning and kind of getting after the work a little earlier in the summer than he has in years past. Uh John Horse said that more minutes for CS at the four or they’re you know they like him at the four. I think that’s going to do wonders for him. I think one of the biggest problems for Cuz last year that he wasn’t in shape to really take on those first assignments on the defensive end. Now, when we look at all the other front courts, this is the top front court by production. Obviously, what Giannis did last year and Turner did last year. It’s the it’s one of the top front courts in rim protection. Why wouldn’t like why did the narrative about how good Miles Turner was in Indiana changed once he got traded to once he signed with the Bucks? I I don’t think it’s changed for me personally. I can’t speak for other people, but what I would say is uh again to me the Bucks I know what Giannis is bringing to the table if he’s healthy. I know what Miles Turner is bringing to the table if he’s healthy. To me the question uh and look you you mentioned you guys mentioned that they’ve got some pretty good shooting on on the roster there with Gary Trent AJ. So I I I like the bones of the roster in some places. I just think they have weaknesses and to me point guard is a big one and and what Cuz can bring to the table to your point when he was with the Lakers and you know won a championship and played on that roster even beyond that he played the four and and he he took on at times some of the tougher covers defensively. So I I do think to me that’s it. I don’t see any issue with Turner uh and Giannis. I feel like they should fit fairly seamlessly to be honest with you both on offense and defensively. Well, and George, I got to ask you this question, man. as a national guy and and we’ve heard a lot of different input about that, but but your perspective on Giannis if he finishes out his career in in Milwaukee, just your perspective on on Giannis sticking out stand with the Bucks. I think everybody has to take that on as their own individual. You know, I I don’t know Giannis very well. Um I you know, I don’t think anybody truly does per se. He keeps a very tight circle, it seems like. Um but you know there is something to be said about finishing your career with one team right there’s you know Kobe Bryant um is the guy we look at certainly in that mold but remember Kobe had some moments much like Giannis where he questioned where the direction was going of the organization and I think that’s healthy. I think that you have to have that dialogue with your star player and that means sometimes it can get a little uncomfortable, right? But as long as it works itself out, you know, Kobe was rewarded for his patience. Uh now granted, Kobe also pushed the envelope and eventually he was able to get a guy in Palole, but there were some lean years between Shaq being there and Pal Gasol arriving, right? So, you know, that’s going to be something that Giannis is going to have to figure out on his own. I think in this day and age, we are more comfortable with guys leaving their situations and going other places, especially if they’ve won a championship. I think if they haven’t won a championship and haven’t delivered a championship, I think that’s where the big scrutiny tends to come. When you brought a championship to a city that hadn’t had one in 50 years, I I think you can you you can feel good about what you did there, and I think the fan base and the organization can feel good about it, but obviously you want to keep a generational talent like that. So, for Milwaukey’s sake, for the fan base’s sake, and the franchise’s sake, for Giannis’s sake, too, because I do think the legacy gets enhanced with just one team, I hope it all works out. Some funny imagery just came to mind, George, when you said that. It seems like every time Giannis holds John Horse’s feet to the fire, John Horse becomes a fire walker. He’s like crossing cross he’s like crossing the burning coals. Oh, but he but he gets there and he gets the job done. How would you rate the job that he has done? you know, he looked like he was pretty hamstrung coming in, but the Bucks found some some some creativity from somewhere, man, and made things happen. I think he has done everything you could. He’s pretty much exhausted all his options. I don’t think there’s any doubt. Um, now, can he pull another rabbit out of his hat? It’s going to be tough because again, there’s just not a lot of assets to work with. But when when you have a talent like that, you have to push your chips to the center of the table all the time. Okay? I covered LeBron James a ton, okay, over the years. And I feel like historically, if you look at his teams, they’ve done that. They have pushed the chips to the center of the table as many times as possible, it’s netted him for championships. And I think that’s what you have to do when you have that kind of generational talent. And then finally, before we let you go, I mean, you you talked about the six teams that had a legitimate chance to to not so much come out of the East, but be players in the East. Where would you put the Bucks based on their current roster construction and all the moves that have been made? I I would say probably towards the bottom of the six if I had to guess. They’re kind of in like that five to seven range in my opinion. Um you know, you know, I think their floor is a playin team. Um you know, a high level playin team. And I think that if Giannis and and and Turner do what they’re capable of, I I think the East is so up for grabs that they can be solidified at the very least in that five or six range. So, cuz you know the unfortunate situation with Indiana changes the East in such a big way. Um, you know, the Knicks and Cleveland will be I I think one and two barring some sort of catastrophic injury. Um, and then the rest of it to me, they certainly to me has have as high a ceiling as anyone. And then beyond that, you know, what does Boston look like with Jaylen Brown as their leader, right? And Derek White uh as their two top guys. you know, are they capable of being more than a play-in team? There’s just a lot of different teams in there uh in that mix and and and I I just don’t know um where any of those teams will fall particularly, but I feel like the hardest part is what Milwaukee already has, which is having a guy like Giannis who is an proverbial env and and and year to year in year out MVP kind of candidate. You have that guy, you’re in great shape to begin with. All right, man. We appreciate you, George. Thanks for stopping by here, district man. We got to get you back on. You got more time and continued success to you, man. Enjoy watching you. So, Bucks have a lot of just good young talent. 12 of the 18 roster guys are 26 or younger. And one of those guys who falls right into that category is uh I guess the newest acquisition we can call him. He was the number two high school player in the country out of New York City. Dad Greg is a former Milwaukee Buck at the tail end of his career. And uh Cole Anthony, man, is um he’s interesting, man. He’s he’s you know, North Carolina one and done. He’s had some some injury issues early on in his career. But Chris, you know, someone pointed out that his ability to pick up full court on defense is what makes him stand out. Now, you know, I went to your favorite site, Synergy. He’s good on spot-up shooting and ISO really, really good, which kind of surprised me. I never thought of him as as an ISO guy, but looked at some video. He can get it done at that end. And then this is the thing that jumps out at me, Chris. I want your take on this, too. Doc Rivers has always been a big handoff coach. He loves to hand it off, big to small, reverse the ball to the opposite side of the floor. Cole Anthony in handoffs is in the 69th percentile in terms of his efficiency when he gets the basketball. Then he’s also excellent as a role man. So that inverted screen between he and Giannis, he’s in the 83rd percentile as a role, man. So, and that’s something that the Bucks have have long opted to do with the smaller players screening for Giannis. So, you know, the Bucks have done their homework. This is a guy who looks like based on his skill set, as limited as it might be, not a devastating outside shooter and smaller at 6’2, 63, but man, he he does some some great things in terms of what this Bucks team already likes to do. Well, I think Cole Anthony is a good fit for for this particular scheme. I don’t think Cole Anthony had the luxury of being able to get up on guys and knowing that he had a Giannis and a Miles Turner behind him. So, I think that’s going to sort of change, you know, it’s it’s going to kind of change his approach. And I’m not going to sugarcoat it. He was not good defensively at all last year. When we’re looking at synergy, Orlando’s system, their style of play, frenetic, a lot of energy. They’re going hard. When the Bucks brought him in, I know that they have something in mind for him. If he can continue to say deny the penetration, he’s got help behind him. He can chase shooters off screens. He can use some physicality that he plays with like you were talking about with inverted screens. A guy that has the want or to be serious about his inverted screens, it has that same capability for physicality on the defensive end. My question and concern with Anthony is on switches. I mean, he was bad defensively on switches. And so now it’s sort of like how how does the scheme fit his skill set, you know? Yeah. But defensively, that’s where I care about because you’re going to talk about running Giannis at the one, somebody’s got to guard the one on the other end. So it’s like if Giannis is running the one offensively, who’s going to be guarding the one defensively? Somebody’s got to emerge. But he is a good insurance policy. Okay. In the point guard room. I I want to ask you this question and and and and being the son of an NBA great, you’ve got some personal experience with that. But so Gary Trent Jr. signs with the Bucks be largely on on a make good kind of prove myself deal last year because of the relationship with Doc Rivers and the Shack of the Mat Gary Trent Senior. I forget what the exact I think that Gary Trent Senior played with Kevin Garnett and when they got to the finals in Boston, Gary Trent Jr. was in the locker room and he and Doc hit it off and maybe some of Doc’s sons were around the same age or whatever it was. I’m not sure how that how that dynamic worked. Greg Anthony, New York Nick. I I I I’m going to look this up, but I don’t know if he and Doc were on the same roster, but I’m sure there was a familiarity with Doc and Greg Anthony. So, to me, that’s a bonus for the Bucks. You talk about relationships. You get a Gary Trent Jr. to come in on a minimum based on relationship. I think this Cole Anthony signing is based on relationship. I think Greg Anthony may have convinced his son. Look man, Doc is going to take care of you. I think Doc may have convinced them. Look man, we going to put you in a position to succeed. How much of a difference? Because he seemed to be persona, not persona non grata, that’s a stretch, but was kind of the odd man out especially with the emergence of Suggs and who’s that black the Anthony Black the other the other tall lanky guard that they have some other talent down there. So, I mean, how how would that that familiarity in terms of comfortable and being comfortable with a guy and and having some some asurances that he’s going to put you in a position to succeed? Where does that factor in? Well, when I watched Cole’s signing video done by our Bucks social media team who do a magnificent job on social and I and I just kind of sit there and I’m observing his body language, observing his energy, observing kind of where his head’s at. I mean, this dude is absolutely excited. He’s grateful. He was thankful for having a pen with his name inscribed on it and he made that like the big deal of the whole video. Well, he got this pen and he’s hyped on this Bucks pin. No, you got to watch the video just so you can see his personality. He showed a lot of personality. All that told me he’s comfortable with coming here. He’s excited to get to work and he’s pretty much bought in already. And to your point, MJ, that was which is a great point about these relationships that are getting things done, getting guys to sign for veteran minimums and things like that. That’s not a normal occurrence in the NBA, especially in today’s NBA. Guys are trying to get their bag and get their bag quick. Doc played a big part in that in my opinion, just like I echo your sentiments about that. But it also speaks to this dude’s, you know, he he he wants to win and and I think that he’s going to come in and he’s going to do whatever it takes. Look, we’re looking at numbers. We’re looking at stats, but there’s nothing like heart and a guy that wants to be there and and if you’re in the right system, you’re a cog to the engine, I mean, you know, he could be a huge piece for the Bucks next season. Well, and just a couple of final points on Cole Anthony. So, you talked about, you know, his defensive numbers and and and kind of wanting, but I I looked up how he did, Chris, when he was combined with the two bigs, right? Uh, Van Carol and France Wagner down in down down in Orlando, 612 possessions. Not great. No, no. Defensively, he was in the 98th percentile that that that threesome that, you know, and again, there’s other factors involved. That’s a great point. But, but the effective field goal percentage, 92nd percentile, turnover percentage, 17. the Bucks could use a guy to help generate some some turnover. So, he and Miles Turner and Jiannis on the floor at the same time, those three, I see some potential there. I mean, you that’s a genius thing to do. I think you have to look at Cole Anony’s production on the defensive end in in situations like that when he’s with two other bigs. And you got to look at him in terms of thinking that Giannis and freaking Miles Turner going to be behind him. you’re going to have, you know, last year they were 53.8% at the rim, which is fifth bet the Bucks allowed, which is fifth best in the NBA. Orlando was around 24th at 61%. So now he’s Yeah. So now he’s playing in a situation where the fear of blowbyss doesn’t really bother you. I think a lot of his big issue also in Orlando was like relocation and finding shooters, finding guys after the initial drive and he’s got to help and rotate. And I think that Doc’s scheme, and I keep saying this because I truly think it’s going to make the game easier for Cole Anthony. Yeah. And and to your point about blowbyss, I mean, you’re almost encouraging a guy like Co Anthony to press up and if a guy gets by you, we got Miles back there. We got Yiannis back there. So that so that that that’s a positive. You can make that guy have to get by you and and and funnel him into your shot blockers, your rim protectors. That helps your defense. And also what helps you is this switching phenomenon. Wagner Bonerro are not Giannis and dog on Miles Turner. So if you if Anthony does have to switch onto a big, you have one big able to help, right? So he can come help you and then the other guy takes the other big, that’s that’s a l that’s a luxury to have. So that’s going to create those defensive possessions aren’t going to be this big huge m mismatch like they were in Orlando. And and the Bucks eighth in switch frequency last year. So, you know, his isolation burden is going to be greatly reduced. So, I and and I’m reason I’m talking like this because I read, you know, Twitter, a lot of guys are trashing this dude on the defensive end. So, I had to look. I’m like, well, they kind of have a point. But, when you look at his numbers just on a standalone and don’t provide some sort of nuance or context, it’s not fair to Cole Anthony. And you got to do that when you’re looking at him in this scheme for the Bucks. Yeah. Yeah. And I and I I just like it’s also to me it’s like not you know it’s also when you when you trade for a guy and right now he’s at a point in his career now he’s been ranked in the top five I believe in and and and bench points and assist over the last three years. He’s been a productive I mean he averaged like almost 10 points a game last year you know and and you say well that’s what is that? Well Torian Prince averaged about a similar number as a as a as a as a part-time starter. Coanony’s minutes 18 minutes a game last year were the lowest in his career. and to still put up those kinds of decent numbers offensively. I think Boats will. But let’s look at some of these uh other players in the guard rotation. We we we’ve talked about Ryan Volins. I mean, Kevin Porter Jr. What do you think is the point Giannis experiment? Put your your your your your Carac the Magnificent Turban on. That’s old Johnny Carson skit with Ed McMahon. But put your Carneack the Magnificent Turban on and give me some predictions about how the duties as the point guard will shake out at the start of the season for this upcoming season. Let’s look at the factors at hand. Ryan Rollins, so he’s, you know, for me it’s like, okay, you got a guy that finished the season strong, shot it well, played well, then comes off of that. Do you have a KPJ who had a sort of a playoff breakout really had a a you know solid 40% from the three seven 17 a game. Um I think he’s going to start the season at the one. Uh I think the ball is going to be in his hands. I think that he’s a dynamic, experienced guy that gives the Bucks that sort of weapon that you need to keep that pressure. I think Doc and his staff are going to want to keep pressure on people, keep defenses on heels, and I think KPJ is the perfect guy for that. Now, what what what does KPJ have to do to get to that next level, to get to that level where he is a better than solid point guard, a guy that you to me, it’s mental, but what what do you see from him that he needs to improve upon? Minimizing the lows, minimizing the negative plays, right? because you know he’s a guy that could go on a roll of five or six negative plays in a row instead of snapping out of it you know he makes a bad pass the next play he comes down makes a good play he’s the kind of guy that you know energy is attracts right so he’s like you know makes a bad play makes another bad play makes another you got to get him out the game talk to him get his head straight now if he can get that side of things under control to where how he manages his lows I think that he definitely because he has the talent dude that dude has so much dogone game. It does not make sense. And I also think that playing him and Giannis together is going to help him a lot. So Giannis, this was my point before. So KPJ starts at the one so that he can pick up the one defensively. I don’t know how that’s going to go, but when Giannis is initiating offense, which I do think is going to happen a lot in those lineups to start the games, like KPJ starts at the one, but Giannis has the ball, he’s bringing it up, pushing. KPJ has so much potential and value as a catch and shoot three guy. I think that that puts him in positions to really maximize his game and all but and not putting too much of the ball handling pressure on him. So looking at the roster construction, so you know Ryan Rodams, we talked about him a lot, man. We you know, we both like him. You talked about him being a potential alldefensive team candidate in in in a year or two, maybe not next year, but in a couple of years with his 611 wingspan. But man, there’s a couple He was a two-way guy. He was a two-way guy that the B the Bucks converted, you know, right at the right at the deadline, I believe in January, February, whenever it was, and then and signed for the rest of the season. Got a couple other guys, two-way guys, man, that are interesting. Jamari Buouya, we talked about him summer league. He’s looked really good. Long, versatile. Played for Todd Golden at USF before Todd moved on to Florida, won a national championship. But this is a guy I want to get your take on, man. Mark Friaking Sears. I mean, just something about his game, man. and watching him at Alabama the left. I’m not putting him on the same level as Jaylen Brunson, but there was, you know, he’s an interesting I know he’s smaller, but his chances, Chris, to to to to make a an impact in this league, not this year, but but at some point in his career. What do you think about Mark Sears? I think there’s no question that Mark Sears is going to be like a serviceable solid NBA player with the potential to be like a Fred Van Fleet and kind of get real good in the right scenario when he has the keys. You know what I’m saying? And I and I’m not trying to put him up there with Fred Van Fleet, but I I do see some similarities in their game. I do see some similarities in their pace and how they play and and I can see I can see Mark Sears getting to that level. I love his the thing that that separates Mark Spear Sears from a lot of guys is that is that pace he plays with and I mean he he gets you in the trick bag. He knows how to speed you up. He knows how to slow it down. I mean he’s a big time Kahjone’s guy when it comes to knocking down big shots. I don’t know if you saw that game. I think it was against Duke. He had 10 threes. I don’t know. He hit 10 threes against somebody in the NCAA tournament. I was watching. anytime you hit 10 threes on somebody, you have something different about you. And I think that those skill sets will translate like this stuff in the G-League and the two-way. It’s the perfect uh situation for that guy cuz he gets to come up and go down. And I think the Bucks are going to eventually have to take a look at him in a big club. If if everything goes right for him, I think, you know, next year, February or something like that, you might see a little bit of Sears in the building. Yes. That’s interesting. Yeah. And so now at the two guard spot, I like I like where we are right now. Gary Trent Jr. I think has earned the the the the right to be the starter opening day like he was last year until he went into a shooting slump, right? His last last seven games, 12 points a game, but he shot 40% from the three-point line on six and a half three-point attempts a game about 42% overall. But but but we saw what he did in in in in the playoffs and against the Pacers and especially that that that closeout game, the the the big shots he was knocking down. AJ Green is going to be a year more experienced and mature and at ease with himself as an NBA basketball player. Um, who am I leaving out? Um, oh, Gary Harris. And then you’ve touched on Gary Harris. Big, strong, physical, is tough Michigan State. Are you are you happy with the depth at at the two guard spot for this team? Yeah, I mean, I think the biggest thing about the two guard is the the youth, right? you know, you got young legs, you got young guys that are going to be able to guard and run at that position. And that to me, that’s one of the most important positions where you got to be able to match up. You got to be able to keep pace with these dudes and and and and and not only that, so Gary Harris, AJ Green, Gary Trent, but but like Tory and Prince like him bringing him back like, you know, he’s great because of his ability to guard wings and forwards. He was what 43% from the three last year, fourth in the NBA, top five in threes. Defense 79th percentile percentile in spot ups like you know he’s he’s a super and I’m not saying he’s at the two but on that wing and then uh your boy Chris Leon uh uh you know I mean it’s the youth the youth and then the st the type of guys they got they got shooting they have uh some decent athleticism and they got guys that dig their heels in on defense. I mean, I I really I don’t know if I’m too high on these moves, but I love the moves that John Horse I can’t believe. I’m overjoyed. Listen to this. The Bucks completely revamped like this old man roster we would talk and I and I’m not knocking the old guys, Dame Brook, and everybody. It’s a new day. It’s a new day. That was 33 or older. But it’s like we knew I I you just got the sense and the feeling like it’s hard to win when you got all these old cats. You need some young legs, some live energy. and they’ve revamped the roster. Now is Doc. So now Doc has no choice but to you know play come around and play these guys and this is what he has cuz this is his crew. So you can’t really you know not play you can’t really lean on vets next year. You got to figure out a roster to play like nine 10 guys and uh keep legs fresh and keep the pressure on. Well, and and to give you just an idea how prevalent that whole dynamic is, I’m getting a haircut at King Cuts Barber Shop on 50th in Hampton. My boy Dedric hooking me up to line up King Dedric King. But but but the barbers in that shop were talking about they couldn’t let it go. This one barber in particular was talking about Portland and how they just ran us off the floor with Shane Basharp and and and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then and then Kamari Tumani and and and all these young legs and then and and then the guy that’s in Boston now Anthony Simons and he had a big big shot against us late in that game to to win it at home and Portland was you know they played hard. Chanty Phillips has done a terrific job with them and by the way Drew Holiday and Dame Lillard both in Portland right now in that locker room so that that’s serendipity at its finest. former Bucks traded for one another, wind up in the same place, the same spot. I think Dame actually uh rented out Drew’s house last year, one of the bigger place to stay and reached out to Drew. They played on the Olympic team together. So, but but but but the point was that this that the Young Legs right now, you know, you think of the Magic, you think of the Cavs, uh think of the Eastern Conference. I mean, the Knicks, you could kind of put them in that category. Not not super young, but I mean, they’re an active team. Anobi and then and Brunson and Bridges and the way they get up and down the floor. Josh Hart kind of their mid20s kind of guys but but the Bucks right now Chris have man they have they have transformed they have transformed from one of the older teams veteran laden teams which you could get away with five years ago but man you cannot get away with that in today’s NBA and John Horse and staff they’ve done a remarkable job of addressing that man just just just getting getting younger with quality youth not just any old youth but quality youth very quality youth and not having to like get give up a bunch to really get it. You know what I’m saying? Develop talent, identify talent, and bring guys in. You know, it’s been a great offseason for Milwaukee without question. So, now terms of the small forward spot. I mean, that’s one of the things I keep Calcusma three no. I I do not think Cuz will be at the four. I mean, at the three at the three next year. Why not? Why not? I I just don’t think so. I think there’s too many guys there. There’s too many minutes there. I think, you know, I think I just don’t I just don’t see it. I don’t see it. Um, it may happen, but at this moment, I don’t see it. I just don’t see it. But if you’re going to start him, don’t you have to start him with Miles and Giannis start him at the three? If you want to try that, I’m sure they’ll give that a look. Okay. And I and I hope that lineup I hope the best for that lineup, but I do not believe that that lineup is going to be viable. What are you seeing in terms of of where he’s going to have some some challenges playing, you know, consistently high caliber basketball as a as a small forward in the league right now? I mean, he’s a better shooter when he’s at the four uh in my opinion. And last year, it’s just different types of shots and your legs are feeling a little differently defensively. You’re not exerting the same energy at the four in my opinion at the four as you are the type of energy you have to trail, run, slide, pick up guys, sprint, you know. So, and and look, I’m not and look, he’s a he’s a world class athlete. So, when I say these things, it’s like people are like, “What do you mean he’s not in shape?” No, but that stuff takes a toll on you. Last year, power four minutes, Kyle Kosma shot 47.8% from the field as a power forward versus 42.1% as a small forward. So, I’m just I’m just not I’m just I just see him being able to um exploit more mismatches as a forward. I like him as the at the forward position. Um I just, you know, I I don’t know that big lineup. Do you think so you think Doc will start the season with like a KPJ and and whoever at the two Gary Trent and then Cuz Giannis and Miles Turner? Wow. That’d be that’s a big based on the the triumvirate. I mean, and and and Doc shocked me. Uh, in that game, was it game five in Indiana? That that was a closeout game. Get it get them confused, but but that final game in Indiana when he started, Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., and AJ Green, you know, now that those three along with Giannis, I mean, everything’s in the 90th percentile across the board offensively, defensively. They’re on court numbers together. You throw Miles Turner with those three, I would not be surprised to see Doc roll with that. Roll that out. That’s your best on paper. That’s your best lineup numbers wise. Yeah, I agree. Yeah. No, I agree. So why so so that that’s that’s what I’m saying. So the way that that that crew showed us last season to finish the season, how live they were, it’s like why would they start Cuz he’s you’re paying him. No, I don’t I think you you know I don’t think so. I don’t think C I think Cuz is the odd man out based on the chemistry that we saw established from last season and the data the data will show that you know those lineups were better for the Bucks like so that so you know with a with an analytically driven crew I mean they’re not going to be rolling with coups at the three right now bro. Yeah. Well my only question just in terms of you know as we know it’s not who starts who finishes all that. I mean, I just I mean, I I mean, do you I guess that I guess the the challenge for Doc is going to be the sale of telling Cuz look, you’re going to be our Energizer guy coming off the bench. I can plug you in at the four. I can some small ball five lineups, sometimes at the three when absolutely necessary, but you’re going to be our guy that the jack of all trades guy that we can plug in in different situations and and uh you know, see how how he accepts that. But he’s working his butt off. Clint Parks. They’re working out, doing a great They got an early start on it this summer in terms of getting back in the gym, getting back in the lab. He understands this is a big year for him. He did not play Cal Kosma like basketball last year and he wants to he wants to shed that that memory quickly. So, yeah. Yeah, they’re going to put him I think, you know, like I say, at the four is he’s in a position to really flourish, right? Chris Livingston, we you you touched on him. Uh you know, the Bucks kind of waved him. I I think I think more for some flexibility reasons than than not, but resigned him and gave him actually $100,000 more than he was due to get in the year that they waved him. But then he goes to the summer league in in Vegas and drops a dove. Averages 20 points a game and looks really, really good, man. 21 years old, just in his third year, one and done out of Kentucky. Akran, Ohio. LeBron and and Rich Paul will go in to see him when he’s 15, 16 years old. and his offense, Chris, just really really is starting to come around and and he’s starting to look comfortable out there as an NBA player. Yeah. And these are the type of guys that you got to hit on with this new second apron thing and all this stuff that’s going on. Like you got to hit on these these draft picks, these development guys, these two-way guys. You sign what he what his deal was what for about two or three million, but he could end up ceiling wise beyond a Dorian Finny Smith level. Yeah. You know what I’m saying? So, if we can get you can if you can turn Chris Livingston into Dorian Finny Smith for 2 million or whatever, would you be happy with that? Heck yeah. And he’s developed. He became a better he’s becoming a better shooter like each season. His stats uh he’s on the glass. He’s a ball player. And so, you know, I’m excited for him. Uh cuz I I just like, you know, you have guys at the end of the bench that are hungry, that are live. Iron sharpens iron. They’re going to push guys in practice. They’re going to push guys and go at guys head. And then he’s eventually I think going to earn some earn some spots and then earn opportunity to earn Doc’s trust. Well, and I got to get give a shout out too because I’ve been watching practices and I’m I’m I’m restricted on how much I can can give away. How much can you give away? Very very little. We’ll see. We’ll if if you can’t find us next week, you know what happened. You’ll know that I gave away a little too much. But no, this this will be fine. But but I’ve been really impressed, Chris, with with the with the sons of the NBA players. So So you got Doc’s son, Spencer Rivers doing a lot of skill development with Chris Livingston. But but but Spencer Rivers, man, is just it’s just just that whole deal about making contact and playing off of contact and the separation. He has done a tremendous job with Chris Livingston. Then uh Donovan Ham, the son of Darvin Ham, I talked about him a lot at Nazium, his work with Ryan Rollins, get, you know, making 250 jumpers at home after every game, you know, getting what does that do for for a young player, man? Just just to have have have a a skilled guy that knows what he’s doing. How much of it is psychological the input psychologically to get you feeling good about yourself? You’ve worked with with young players before. What’s the psychological aspect? So, it’s all about flow state, right? Oh, yeah. Yeah. Craig Craig Manning. Craig Manny Craig Dr. Craig Manny, it’s all about flow state when you’re working with athletes and trying to get them to a place where they feel good, comfortable in who they are, the work they’re putting in, and the results they’re going to get out the work. And so when you have and the thing I’ll say that I understand as as the son of a of an NBA all-star NBA player in this in and Spencer and Donovan as sons of NBA players like it if you choose to use it and tap into it right it gives you this opportunity this kind of gift to kind of look at the game a certain way slow things down a certain way and really focus on the nuances and so what you’re talking about with Spencer what you talking about with Donovan I mean they probably drill down into the nuances of rhythm, pace, actual like tangible situations and scenarios that are only, you know, duplicated in an NBA game. Like they’re presenting that scenario in their training and then guys will respond. And that’s sort of how you got to do it. I mean like skill development is not just rebounding for people and you know hey how many shots you make out of 10 you know you got to look at every single thing from their feet to their form the footwork their hips if they’re and this is one rep right so I’m looking and you see how I am you got to go over things with a fine tooth comb and those guys done a good job are the Bucks still undefeated in the summer league at some point no they they lost they lost early on they lost may have lost a couple by now but but to your point so so Charles Lee former assistant under Mike Benhenhoer, now head coach down in Charlotte. I used to love watching him, man, work with Chris Middleton. Yeah, cuz he he would he would and Chris was so receptive. Charles never played in the NBA. Not one lick, but Charles Charles was all league in the Patriot League. May have been Patriot League MVP at Bucknell when he played. So, he was he was a decent player, but but what he had Chris doing, Chris bought into right away. So, I asked Charles after that workout, it’s like, you know, where do you get this stuff from the footwork and the different different uh approach to to the game? And he told me, Chris, what he does, he looked at guys who had similar styles. So with Chris Middleton, he looked at a lot of Carmelo Anthony Yeah. footage from back in the day and jab steps and and footwork and how to get get open and create separation for your shot. And and so so when when a coach is putting in that kind of, you know, effort to help you improve as a basketball player, even if you’re a three-time all-star like Chris Middleton, you’re receptive to that. So you can imagine what a Ryan Rollins is with with a Chris Livingston, you know, the the receptivity they’re trying to establish themselves, young guys as NBA players, and you got this coach showing you all this love, man, and all this care and concern, man. It’s a it’s a beautiful thing. It’s a beautiful thing. Anyway, listen, man. I think we’ve exhausted all of the topics that we needed to exhaust here as uh we move forward here in the summertime. Summer league is almost over with, man. I’m just uh so excited about what the Bucks have done. Final question, Doc Rivers. What’s the challenge for Doc Rivers this year, man? Doc’s Doc’s, you know, and how much does his experience in Orlando and with Philly and with the Clippers? I mean, when you look at the totality and the type of personalities and teams he’s had to coach, how much does that help him? Will that help him in terms of putting together the proper approach with these guys, this new youth infusion that the Bucks have? I think it’s going to be interesting, but you know, at the end of the day, I think the Bucks have to get to the Eastern Conference Finals, uh, at a minimum or, you know, it’s conversations is going to start getting weird around here. You know, this is a team. Look, this is the this is I won’t say a make or break type of situation because of just how everything went down and dame and all that, but you know, we’ve had two two seasons where we haven’t had the results as John Horse said that that we’ve wanted. Doc is obviously the guy now that he has the roster. I think now I think that’s the biggest part. Yeah. I don’t think he’s he’s had the roster the last couple years. And people can kill me for this. I don’t care. But I don’t think he’s had the roster to really compete seriously in today’s NBA now with this youth with a younger Miles Turner. Okay. He is going to make that much of a difference I think on the defensive end. I think, you know, and George said that he felt like the Bucks were fifth to a seventh. You know, Bucks top four off top and they they’re definitely going to be in the mix for the Eastern Conference uh championship this season. I’m looking at I’m looking at just on the youth alone in my opinion. Okay, that’s And then Giannis increasing his usage at the one or whatever. Like, dude, like I I I don’t know, man. I’m high on this squad and and and I’m predicting some big things for the Bucks next season. Well, and the thought just occurred to me. I talked about the teams that Doc had had had led. I left out a left out a pretty important team, the Boston Celtics and and and so now, you know, you look at that team, the makeup of that team. They had incredible depth. And we think of Paul, we think of Paul Pierce and Ray Allen and KG. Yeah. But but but Rondo, James Posey, uh PJ Brown, Tony Allen, Kendrick Perkins. I mean, Doc had a whole Eddie House I believe was on that team or around that time. So Doc had a whole lot of guys, usable, serviceable guys at both ends of the floor. Dino was setting up the defense. I think that’s going to be a key. Greg Buckner’s he of Cleveland fame. He helping orchestrate that. So Greg Buckner’s still there. But but think about this. Good great point. I forgot about Greg. I apologize, Greg. Excuse me. I forgot about GB. I love GB. Hey, think about this. Think about this about the depth, right, that you’re talking about with the Celtics. Last year, through it all, the Bucks were, I believe, were number two or top five in in uh bench points last season. So, so this season, and I I mean, I hope I’m right on that because I saw it, I looked it, and that was it. But the but so this season with the youth and and obviously a big part of uh those bench points last year was got KPJ 17. Yeah. Yeah. After the all-star break, Gary Trent, AJ, you know, obviously those those guys contributed, but I think you could still get some similar production this year with these young guys. I just don’t I just I just I I a believer in this youth movement. Yeah, I’m a believer in this youth movement and I think that Doc, the staff, and Giannis in particular is going to be able to galvanize the troops and get guys on the same page performing at the to the best of their freaking ability. Well, and to that point, and we hadn’t mentioned his name yet in this broadcast, but he’s going to be, you know, a key returner to Bobby Porter coming back. You know, Bobby championship experience, toughness, you know, you know, all that good stuff. Bobb’s back. Had the had the had the suspension last year. So I know Bobby Bobby’s the kind of guy out of Arkansas, Little Rock Hall High School, same school as Sydney Mree, my former teammate. But Bobby’s got a lot of pride. So he’s gonna This is going to be a year where it’s going to be like a makeup year for you guys. Look, I I owe you guys like a like a just a an outstanding season based on everything that transpired last year. So Bobby, his leadership, his skill, what he brings to the table, his shooting, all that stuff. Perfect compliment. Last thing on Doc, this is the final guaranteed year of his deal. team option for 2627. Just putting that out there. And that would mean I’m just saying he’s gonna coach his ass off this year. He Do want an extension. Are you kidding me? Doc Rivers the legend. Doc put up the golf clubs in August. Like, yeah. Hey, hey, it’s time to get back. It’s time to get back to work. Hey, it’s a free agent year. No, I’m just kidding. No, but I’m just saying, man. You know, Doc know Hey, Doc been in this league. He’s a He’s an OG. He’s a legend for a reason. He’s a top 10 wins guy for a reason. Like he knows what time this is, bro. And it’s time. It’s winning time, baby. Let’s go. Yeah. Something about making eight figures that uh that Please, we going to figure it out. There’s something about making eight figures that you you want to kind of hold on to for for well into your 60s. And we going to figure it out. We going to figure it out, man. It’s going to be fun to watch. Listen, uh here I’m the captain of this vessel. First made Chris Johnson. Only father and son tandem in the history of college basketball to win a championship at the same school here, district. We’ll be back at you with the next episode. See what happens, man. More more surprises, maybe. Who knows? We’re out of here. This has been a Bucks Plus audio production.

ESPN’s Jorge Sedano drops by Hear District to discuss whether Milwaukee’s new tandem of Giannis Antetokounmpo & Myles Turner give it the best frontcourt in the NBA. They also discuss the Bucks’ place in an unpredictable Eastern Conference landscape, media perception of the Bucks’ offseason moves, how Myles transforms Milwaukee’s defense, Giannis’ MVP possibilities and more. Later on, MJ and Kris break down Cole Anthony’s fit with the Bucks, how his role in Milwaukee will set him up for success, and how his addition impacts the team’s guard rotation moving forward. They dive into Kyle Kuzma’s role and how to maximize his skill set, Chris Livingston’s remarkable growth through 2025 Summer League, expectations for minutes distribution and how the Bucks’ coaching staff is setting up for success next season.

0:00 — Intro
5:35 — Jorge Sedano joins the show
6:05 — Bucks’ Elite Frontcourt
9:08 — Bucks’ Moves & 2025-26 Projections
16:36 — Cole Anthony Signing
25:53 — Point Guard Rotation
30:57 — Shooting Guard Rotation
35:37 — Which position is best for Kuzma?
39:35 — Livingston dominates Summer League
41:12 — Coaching Corner

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