Milwaukee Bucks Point Forward Podcast

Snakebitten by injuries, the Milwaukee Bucks saw their 2023-24 season come to an unceremonious end in a 4-2 series loss to the Indiana Pacers. Was it just bad luck or something more fundamental? Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski gives a farewell to the season and also looks ahead. Will Milwaukee simply run it back? Is Jon Horst headed to Detroit? What do we make of the coaching carousel in retrospect? Where does Milwaukee need to specifically improve? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Pacers reporter Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star take a look at the looming clash between the two NBA squads in the first round of the 2024 postseason. What's the latest on the injuries? How have these teams changed since their regular-season meetings ended in early January? Who's got the edge? Plus: Predictions and more on Oshkosh, Wisconsin, native Tyrese Haliburton and his budding stardom in Indianapolis. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Lori Nickel stops by to discuss the bigger picture of the Milwaukee Bucks after a chaotic 2023-24 season. Was firing Mike Budenholzer the right move? What about hiring Doc Rivers and quickly moving on from Adrian Griffin? What about the trade for superstar Damian Lillard? How will this offseason look if the Bucks flame out early in the NBA playoffs? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe dive into the first-round playoff series between Milwaukee and the Indiana Pacers. What's the latest on the injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo, and can they win the series without him? How will this moment impact the overall perception of Doc Rivers and Damian Lillard? What's changed since Indiana took four of five against Milwaukee in the regular season? Will tensions be high after some emotional regular-season battles? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Milwaukee Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the Bucks' woeful skid toward the postseason with a series of losses at the time of year teams want to be peaking. Is it a mirage, or have they really lost control of the season? What does this mean for Doc Rivers? For Damian Lillard? For the possibility that a championship window is closing? They break it all down with four regular-season games left in 2023-24.

Jim Owczarski, Lori Nickel and JR Radcliffe discuss the Bucks at the all-star break, including Damian Lillard's massive weekend in Indianapolis. What's up with all these weird Bucks sound bites in all-star week interviews? Is this team courting some extra drama, and if so, does that means things have gotten a little desperate? Is the Bucks success as simple as Lillard achieving consistency? What do we make of Doc Rivers so far? Also: Danilo Gallinari? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the Milwaukee Bucks' maneuvers at the NBA trade deadline in this edition of the Point Forward Podcast. How will Patrick Beverley fit? What was the purpose of trading Robin Lopez if it doesn't put the Bucks in better financial position? How alarming is Milwaukee's recent play under new coach Doc Rivers, with five losses in six games? What's Jim watching for at the upcoming NBA all-star game? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

The Milwaukee Bucks made a big splash on Tuesday, firing first-year head coach Adrian Griffin and replacing him with long-tenured coach and Marquette University alumnus Doc Rivers. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski joins host JR Radcliffe to break down the maneuver. Why was now the time to make a change? What did the Bucks get wrong about Griffin in the hiring process? Will a gambit like this work, considering the Bucks had a 30-13 record under Griffin? Is Doc Rivers the right fit for this team? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters Lori Nickel and Jim Owczarski join host JR Radcliffe to discuss the slumping Milwaukee Bucks, who have lost 4 of 5 to start the 2024 half of the season and still haven't fully clicked despite a great record. What has to happen for the Bucks to get back on a championship path? What's the latest evaluation on head coach Adrian Griffin? Is it as simple as Damian Lillard getting back on track? Or Jae Crowder returning? Or getting Bobby Portis in a groove?

A wild scene unfolded at Fiserv Forum on Dec. 13, when Giannis Antetokounmpo set a Bucks single-game record with 64 points but then got into a heated exchange with the Indiana Pacers over possession of the game ball. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski discusses what he saw in the Bucks win, what in the world happened and whether or not it ties into the frustration of early-season struggles (albeit struggles that have still come with a good win-loss record). Jim and host JR Radcliffe look back at the reporting around Bobby Portis' challenge of head coach Adrian Griffin following the loss in Las Vegas, and it's another chance to get a progress report on how the Bucks have developed. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe are back to give an early-season progress report on the Bucks. After a shaky start, have they turned a corner? Specifically, has head coach Adrian Griffin rapidly evolved after some early struggles? How has the Damian Lillard-Giannis Antetokounmpo dynamic played out? How much thought and worry should we put into the Khris Middleton return-to-full-strength timetable, and how bad of a loss is Jae Crowder? Plus: Malik Beasley, Andre Jackson, Giannis still taking long-distance shots and the upcoming litmus test with Boston and Jrue Holiday. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the new extension for Giannis Antetokounmpo, one that caught everyone by surprise Monday night. Including the guys who already had a podcast ready to go ... oops. After discussing the elements that led Giannis to stay on in Milwaukee, they look at the season preview as a whole, including the massive acquisition of Damian Lillard. What will Milwaukee's defense look like this year? What questions remain about first-year head coach Adrian Griffin, especially after assistant coach Terry Stotts resigned? What do we make of newcomers Cameron Payne, Malik Beasley and even Robin Lopez? Who's the favorite in the East? The guys make some predictions and get you set for the season opener Thursday. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

The Milwaukee Bucks became the surprise winner of the Damian Lillard sweepstakes Wednesday, acquiring the Portland Trail Blazers star in a three-way deal that sent Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen elsewhere. The Bucks now find themselves as the favorite to win the East, and maybe the NBA title. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss what level of urgency, if any, Bucks GM Jon Horst was operating in making the deal. Should we have seen this coming, given the previous friendliness between Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo? Should we be concerned it's not Miami, his reported preferred destination? Could it backfire? How does it change the shape of the Bucks? Will the Bucks fill that last roster spot with Allen's replacement in the starting lineup? Did this really just happen? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

What were the takeaways, if any, for the Milwaukee Bucks from the summer league? Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski is back from Las Vegas with some thoughts, limited as they might be for the 2023-24 regular-season Bucks. He talks about his conversation with general manager Jon Horst, including the revelation that the Bucks are past the second tax apron. What does that mean in the short term and long term? Who's going to shoot the ball for the Bucks this year? What's the latest on Giannis Antetokounmpo and his availability for the FIBA World Cup? What do we make of the new in-season tournament? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

So much has happened since the last podcast, including the re-signing of Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Jae Crowder and ... surprise! ... Robin Lopez and Malik Beasley. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski looks at the entire free agency situation and what it says about Adrian Griffin's coaching philosophy, Milwaukee's chances next year and the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jim and host JR Radcliffe discuss what comes next for Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who doesn't currently have a roster spot. How are the Bucks going to obtain a backup point guard? What will Jim be watching for in Vegas at the summer league games? What do we make of draft picks Andre Jackson Jr. and Chris Livingston? Should Bucks fans be suspicious of how quietly the team announced that Giannis had knee surgery? Are the Bucks still a favorite in the Eastern Conference? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

The Milwaukee Bucks officially have a new head coach with the announcement of Adrian Griffin as the lead man. Reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel were there, and they discuss with podcast host JR Radcliffe their takeaways from the press conference. How will he fit with the current roster (including the players who are free agents)? Will he fortify a strong relationship with Giannis? What about the domestic abuse allegations levied by his ex-wife in 2020 (leading to Griffin filing a defamation lawsuit)? Are there any other story lines to care about beyond Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez in the upcoming free-agency scramble? What about the draft? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Jim, Lori and JR are back to discuss Adrian Griffin, the former Raptors assistant who's reportedly about to become the next head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. They talk about his fit as a player and a person, the role of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the search, the uncertainty of a hire without head-coaching experience, the accusations of domestic abuse from 2020 (and the lawsuit he brought against his accuser, his ex-wife) and what questions still remain about the hire and the process. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Admittedly, we recorded this just before news that the Bucks coaching search has zoomed in on Nick Nurse, Kenny Atkinson and Adrian Griffin, but Journal Sentinel reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe look at where things stand in the Bucks coaching search, what traits the team is looking for and what kind of timeline might exist for an announcement. Then, it's a look to the future. What are the odds Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez be back? How much will the new coach influence that decision? And what about Giannis Antetokounmpo? He's here next year, but would he theoretically want out the year after that if the Bucks aren't making strides, and how do the economics of basketball complicate that type of situation? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

While teams are playing in the conference semifinals, the Milwaukee Bucks are looking for a new coach. Quite the unexpected turn of events! Reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel join host JR Radcliffe to discuss the end of Mike Budenholzer's tenure with the Bucks after five seasons following a shocking first-round playoff exit, and we have many questions. Would this move have happened anyway if the Bucks beat the Heat? Are we sure Milwaukee can find someone better? Who are the candidates to take his place? Does the timing, without someone new ready to step in, tell us anything about the process? How much is Giannis Antetokounmpo involved? Do we have to think about Marc Lasry's decision to sell his ownership stake differently now? Will the Bucks even have another opportunity to win a championship in the Giannis Era? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

The 2023 season is over, ending in a shocking five-game loss to the Miami Heat. Bucks reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel join host JR Radcliffe to discuss the improbable setback, capped by a 16-point meltdown in Game 5 at Fiserv Forum. What are the root causes for the loss? What do they make of Mike Budenholzer's decision not to use timeouts in certain situations, and what about his rotation and other coaching maneuvers? Will this team have a new head coach next year, or should it? Jim has an interesting take on Giannis Antetokounmpo's comments on failure after the game as well as his play throughout the series. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."