Backing Up The Bucks: The Trades That Helped Bring A Championship Back To Milwaukee
Backing Up The Bucks
We are all aware of the skilled star players on the Milwaukee Bucks. Of course, there is a two-time MVP and the league's most dominant big man, Giannis Antetokounmpo. He dropped 50 points in Game 6 alone, sealing the deal for Milwaukee to take their second NBA Championship.
The Milwaukee Bucks won the 2021 NBA Championship on July 20th, 2021. Utilizing their newly acquired players Jrue Holiday and PJ Tucker, they were able to finally come together for their first title in 50 years.
Likewise, the team's best shooter, Khris Middleton, has been an integral part of the team's competitive performance for some time now. His play in the 2021 NBA Playoffs had been exceptional up to this point. In fact, on nights when Giannis did not show up, Middleton took over and kept the team scoring.
However, what the layman might not have noticed about the Bucks' first title win in 50 years was the support of the men around these stars. This not only goes for the bench players on the team. There were two main acquisitions this year that allowed the team to go deeper.
PJ Tucker Brings His Toughness To The Cheese State
For years, PJ Tucker was a defensive anchor and tough locker room leader for the Houston Rockets. When the landmark trade for James Harden was made in early 2021, Tucker knew that Houston was going for a total rebuild. Debating about his future, Tucker was soon traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. This was an effort to put a tough guy around Giannis, as well as a leader who can protect his teammates and play harassing defense.
The Tucker trade was a simple one. Houston traded P.J. Tucker and Rodions Kurucs to Milwaukee in exchange for guard D.J. Augustin, forward D.J. Wilson, and the Bucks' first-round pick in 2023. The only team this meant immediate effect for was Milwaukee, and they began to feel it right away. While his minutes and scoring went down, the intimidation he brought to his opponents was an extremely valuable intangible.
He averaged 4 rebounds a game in the playoffs, but his real claim to fame as a Buck came in his confrontation with Kevin Durant in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. During the third quarter, after an ugly, low-scoring game, Kevin Durant and PJ Tucker got involved in an altercation.
While it started as a routine foul during a closely contested game, it soon escalated. Tucker was called for a foul and appeared displeased. Durant began talking trash, Tucker stepped to him, and a slight skirmish broke out. This kind of contact is not uncommon for closely-contested playoff games, but what was strange was when a bodyguard stepped on the floor to personally break up the fight.
Kevin Durant's personal bodyguard, because of Durant's antagonistic nature on social media, is absolutely required at all games and events. The fight was broken up, but it only served to add to the animosity between Durant and Tucker. This kind of psychological edge is what gave Tucker the ability to hold off Durant's offensive onslaught and help his team get past the favorited Brooklyn Nets to make it to the NBA Finals.
Building The Bucks' Big Three
The 2020 playoffs were sort of depressing for Milwaukee. After Giannis won his first MVP, expectations were high. They ended up being bounced out of the second round, which was quite a disappointing run for the team. In the off-season, they made it their duty to find another star player to put around Giannis and Khris Middleton. They were lucky enough to find one in New Orleans All-Star guard Jrue Holiday.
In a rather large, four-team trade, Holiday found his way onto Milwaukee's starting roster. Previously, a large amount of stress was placed on All-Star shooter Khris Middleton. Since Giannis is only truly reliable in the paint, it made it hard for Khris to rest on the perimeter. Jrue was able to bring his exceptional shooting to the team and take some pressure off of the team's stars.
Indeed, it was a win-win for Jrue too. He was now on a competitive team and would be in more of a support role than he had ever been before. He excelled in this position, scoring 18 points per game for the year while also reaching a career-high 40% from three. While there isn't anyone thing Jrue brought to the team that won them a title, it was his shooting acumen, confidence, and team leadership that helped make the Bucks an actual title contender this year.
When added together with PJ Tucker's toughness, Khris' sniper abilities and Giannis’ utter dominance of the paint, Jrue's accurate three-pointers gave the Bucks a huge edge in the 2021 NBA Finals.
Building a Legacy For The Bucks
All of these additions pushed the Bucks from contenders to bona fide winners. They now have the skill and the confidence to continue their success. Looking forward to the 2021-2022 NBA Season, we can be sure that the Bucks will continue to dominate the Eastern Conference.
With guys like Brook Lopez, who is an effective two-way player, the roster is rounded out quite nicely. Perhaps the Bucks will continue to tinker and add to their championship team with some more signings this off-season.
One thing is for sure: the Milwaukee Bucks aren't going anywhere. They will be ready to defend their title against anyone this coming year, and their NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the anchor that holds it all together.
Opinions and Perspectives
The combination of Tucker's toughness and Holiday's skill really completed this team's identity.
After seeing how it all played out, these might be some of the most important trades in Bucks history.
The front office deserves a ton of credit. They saw exactly what was missing and fixed it.
Watching this team come together throughout the season was special. You could see the pieces fitting better each game.
These moves really showed faith in Giannis's vision for the team. They went all in on building around him.
It's amazing how Holiday adapted his game to fit what the team needed. True professional.
The way Tucker handled Durant in that series was worth the trade alone. Sometimes you need that enforcer.
Small market teams should really study how the Bucks built this roster. It's a masterclass in team building.
The article doesn't highlight enough how these moves helped in specific matchups during their playoff run.
We can't forget how risky these moves were at the time. The front office really put their necks on the line.
These moves showed such clear understanding of what they needed. Not just talent, but specific skills and personalities.
The chemistry between Holiday and Middleton in clutch situations was incredible to watch.
Tucker's playoff experience was invaluable. He'd been in those big moments before.
I miss the part about how these moves helped Giannis develop his game too. The spacing changed everything.
Holiday's leadership was so important. He brought a calmness they needed in big moments.
The way they built around Giannis should be studied by every NBA front office.
That 2023 first-round pick for Tucker seems like nothing now. Championships are forever.
Looking at the article now, it's crazy how perfectly these moves worked out. Everything just clicked.
Their defense in the playoffs was incredible. Tucker and Holiday really transformed that aspect of their game.
The way Holiday embraced his role was remarkable. Not every star can adapt like that.
I remember doubting the Tucker trade when it happened. Never been happier to be wrong!
The article understates how much pressure was on the front office after 2020. These moves could've backfired badly.
Sometimes the best trades are the ones that fill specific needs rather than just adding stars. Tucker proved that.
Holiday's shooting improvement was crucial. Teams couldn't just pack the paint against Giannis anymore.
That Durant-Tucker confrontation showed exactly why they brought PJ in. They needed that edge.
Everyone talks about the trades, but keeping their core intact while adding pieces was the real masterpiece.
Watching Giannis and Holiday develop chemistry throughout the season was fascinating. They just kept getting better.
The way they balanced veteran experience with their core players was really smart roster construction.
Not sure I agree with calling Holiday a support player. He was their closer in several crucial games.
Tucker's toughness really changed the team's identity. They weren't seen as soft anymore.
As a long-time Bucks fan, seeing these moves pay off after 50 years was just incredible. Still feels surreal.
The article doesn't mention enough about Holiday's defensive impact. He was just as important on that end as he was offensively.
I love how they didn't overreact to the 2020 failure and instead made calculated moves to improve the roster.
People forget how much criticism the Bucks got for their playoff exit in 2020. These trades really changed everything.
The Holiday addition was brilliant because it gave them a closer when Giannis was struggling at the free throw line.
Middleton's growth alongside Giannis has been incredible to watch. They really complement each other perfectly now.
I'm still amazed by how well Tucker fit into their defensive scheme. He brought exactly what they were missing.
Actually disagree about the blueprint part. Not every team has a Giannis to build around. This was a unique situation.
The way they built this team should be a blueprint for other small market teams. Smart trades and loyalty to your superstar.
Brook Lopez deserves more credit. His ability to space the floor and protect the rim was essential to their success.
Makes you wonder how different things would've been if they hadn't made the Holiday trade. Such a crucial decision.
I watched every playoff game, and Tucker's defense was way more important than his stats suggest. Numbers don't tell the whole story.
That 50-point closeout game from Giannis was legendary. The perfect way to cap off these smart roster moves.
The article misses how important team culture was. These weren't just good moves on paper, these guys genuinely clicked together.
Remember when people said Giannis needed to leave Milwaukee to win? This front office proved everyone wrong.
Holiday's shooting percentage improvement really surprised me. Shows what can happen when you're in the right system.
I'm curious about how they'll defend their title. The East is getting stronger, and they'll need even more from their supporting cast.
Anyone else think Tucker's confrontation with Durant was a turning point in that series? It showed the Bucks weren't backing down.
The chemistry between Holiday and Middleton in the backcourt really transformed this team's offense.
People keep talking about the new additions, but let's appreciate how Giannis and Middleton stuck together and built this over years.
Looking back, that Tucker trade was such a bargain. DJ Wilson and Augustin for a championship piece? I'll take that any day.
You're completely wrong about the luck factor. Every championship team deals with injuries. The Bucks earned this title fair and square.
Honestly feel like the Bucks got lucky with the injury situation in the playoffs. Not taking away from their achievement, but it's worth noting.
The article doesn't mention enough about Brook Lopez's contribution. His floor spacing was crucial for Giannis to operate in the paint.
I'm still impressed by how Holiday adapted his game to fit with the Bucks. 40% from three is no joke.
That bodyguard situation with Durant and Tucker was wild! I've never seen anything like that in all my years watching basketball.
You have to give credit to the front office. They knew exactly what pieces they needed to complement Giannis and went all in to get them.
Anyone else remember how everyone doubted this team after they lost in the second round in 2020? What a turnaround!
I actually disagree about Tucker being that impactful. He only averaged 4 rebounds in playoffs. We're overrating his contribution just because of that Durant confrontation.
The four-team trade for Holiday was definitely risky, but it paid off big time. His shooting really opened up the floor for Giannis.
Let's not forget Middleton though. I feel like he's still underrated despite being such a clutch performer throughout the playoffs.
What really stood out to me was PJ Tucker's impact. His defensive presence against Durant in that series was game-changing, especially during that heated moment in Game 3.
I'm amazed at how the Bucks managed to build such a complete team around Giannis. The Holiday trade was absolutely crucial for their success.