Milwaukee Bucks Point Forward Podcast

A calf injury to Bucks star Damian Lillard has cast a pall over the home stretch of the 2024-25 season. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the outlook for the Bucks and the ominous signs around the ailment. Plus, what's up with Kyle Kuzma? Another Brook Lopez renaissance? Could the Bucks win a theoretical first-round series without Dame? No questions allowed to Mike Budenholzer?

After three straight losses, the Bucks are left looking like a team that can't work deep into the postseason. What's missing? Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe try to assess the issues facing the Bucks and also dive into the sudden loss of former Bucks star and current team minority owner Junior Bridgeman. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski.

Giannis Antetokounmpo reached 20,000 points on March 5 for the surging Bucks, a career milestone that places him in elite company yet again. How big a benchmark is this one? Will history remember him as the definitive player of an era, or is he destined to only share the stage in history with Nikola Jokić? How the midrange jumper has changed his approach, and what he said to the Journal Sentinel when he was again asked about his own legacy in Milwaukee. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski.

Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss recent Bucks happenings on the Point Forward Podcast. What do people still need to know about the Bobby Portis suspension, and how badly will the Bucks eventually feel his absence? Even though Kevin Porter has a dubious history, Jim discusses what's made his time in Milwaukee work thus far. The Bucks get an immediate glimpse of Khris Middleton in a new uniform, and the team is on a bit of a hot run heading into back-to-back showdowns against elite Western Conference teams. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski.

Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski joins host JR Radcliffe to check in on the Milwaukee Bucks at the all-star break. How concerning are injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard? How has Kyle Kuzma and Kevin Porter looked in their first games with Milwaukee? What did Jon Horst say about the team's bevy of acquisitions at the trade deadline, including the past incidents involving Porter?

In this emergency podcast, Bucks reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel join host JR Radcliffe to discuss Milwaukee's trade of postseason hero Khris Middleton to Washington in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, a deal that marks the end of a decade-long Middleton era in a Bucks uniform. How big a deal are the financial considerations? What did the Bucks gain, and what did they lose?

The Milwaukee Bucks have hit a rough patch; is there anything the trade deadline can do to alleviate what ails them? Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and host JR Radcliffe discuss the current state of the team, why the recent slump might not be as bad as it seems and what approach might best suit the Bucks at the trade deadline. Jimmy Butler? Also, given the wild Mavericks-Lakers trade, is it suddenly more plausible to see Giannis Antetokounmpo dealt in the not-too-distant future? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

The Bucks have won four straight after a disappointing loss in New York, making them a top-four team in the East at the moment, so are they back to being a threat? Damian Lillard is cooking, Giannis is playing at an elite level and we're seeing the stars work well together. Plus: Checking in on the rumors of Jimmy Butler to the Bucks. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

The Milwaukee Bucks just won impressive back-to-back games, including against San Antonio and star Victor Wembanyama. But it's been tough sledding before that. What's the deal with Khris Middleton coming off the bench? Are Giannis and Dame actually clicking together on the floor? Are some struggles a question of effort? Could Jimmy Butler become a member of the Bucks? Journal Sentinel Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski discusses it with host JR Radcliffe. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

The Milwaukee Bucks are still in playoff position but have struggled to hit a second gear late in the 2024 calendar, with injuries and illness playing a role. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss how Khris Middleton has looked in his return, the state of the team and the trade deadline looming in February. 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 a Bucks team that has won 8 of 10 games, including a win over Orlando on Tuesday that put the Bucks into the NBA Emirates Cup semifinals in Las Vegas. How has Damian Lillard changed his game to accommodate his new surroundings, and how has Giannis adjusted in turn? How big will this NBA Cup opportunity be for the Bucks? What's the review of Khris Middleton's first three games back? What's the deal with Andre Jackson Jr. starting but only playing a minimal amount of minutes. 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 return of Khris Middleton; how slowly will he be eased back into the fold, and what does it mean for the Milwaukee Bucks? Plus: The Bucks have been strong lately, how the NBA Cup resonates with players in Year 2 and the surprisingly quiet rumblings around an MVP case for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

The Milwaukee Bucks are on fire and back to .500 after a win over Miami on Tuesday, but they had to do it with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski has the latest on injuries to Giannis and recovering Khris Middleton ... could we see Middleton on the floor soon? They chat about the recent successes and the plight of Pat Connaughton, who worked his way back into some prominent minutes. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

The Milwaukee Bucks got burned by a bad call in Charlotte (even the NBA thinks so, although it's still going to fine Doc Rivers for agreeing), but they got some good fortune in a narrow win over Houston, plus a game-winning bucket by newly returned Damian Lillard. The vibes are good, right? Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe take a look, discussing Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton and bad calls. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 59 points, the second-best scoring output in Bucks history, and Milwaukee survived Detroit for a second straight win. It was a glorious individual effort, but was it actual progress for Milwaukee, now 4-8 on the season? Jim Owczarski and JR Radcliffe discuss it, from the emergence of Ryan Rollins to the shenanigans of Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart and, again, to the singular talent that is Giannis. 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 scratch and claw for any shreds of optimism as this team starts 1-6. Perhaps they find a glimmer of hope (or explanation), even with Khris Middleton and now Giannis Antetokounmpo nursing injuries. When will Khris be back? Is something up with Bobby Portis? Is there any scenario where Doc Rivers doesn't wind up coaching the whole season? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

It's only four games, but the Milwaukee Bucks have been really rough to start the season, falling to 1-3 out of the gate. Is Khris Middleton really the primary answer to their woes? What's going on with Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton? Are Giannis and Dame partially to blame? Is it a different vibe than last year, when a slow start portended serious changes by January? Does even this small sample change what we think we know about the 2024-25 Milwaukee Bucks? 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 look at the Milwaukee Bucks' first week of the season, with battles coming against Philadelphia and Chicago. What's the deal with Khris Middleton's injury, and why does Milwaukee always seem to slow-play his return? Could the Bucks theoretically still thrive without him? What's a successful regular season look like for Milwaukee this year? And could the team move MarJon Beauchamp and bring back ... Thanasis? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the infancy of the Milwaukee Bucks season, with the games getting under way Oct. 23. National pundits don't seem to believe Milwaukee is a title contender this year; are they wrong, or has the window closed? What's the status of the Dame/Giannis relationship, and what about Khris Middleton's health? How will the new veterans contribute, and which will truly rise to the forefront? Is Doc Rivers the right guy to lead this team forward? Who needs to truly rise up for the Bucks to take a lunge forward? National writers have seemingly lost faith in a Bucks title run; are they sleeping on what a healthy Milwaukee can do? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

The Milwaukee Bucks went young with their two draft picks, then stayed quiet in the first 48 hours of free agency. What does that say about where the Bucks are headed for 2024-25. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the draft selections of A.J. Johnson and Tyler Smith, plus the free-agent signing of Delon Wright. What's left on the table for the Bucks to accomplish? Does a trade remain a realistic option? Who are some players still available for veteran minimum contracts that fit Milwaukee? Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."