Bucks' Jrue Holiday Reportedly Commits to Play for Team USA at Tokyo Olympics
Jun 22, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) looks for an opening in Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday is the latest NBA star who will reportedly represent the United States at the Tokyo Olympics.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Holiday has given Team USA his commitment for the Summer Games.
The 12-man Olympic roster is close to being set. Prior to Tuesday, eight players were either confirmed participants or reportedly set to commit to the team.
Damian Lillard. Draymond Green. Bradley Beal. Jayson Tatum. Devin Booker. Kevin Durant. Bam Adebayo. James Harden.
I think Gregg Popovich has a decent shot at that elusive gold medal with @usabasketball in Tokyo.
Kevin Love's agent, Jeff Schwartz, told Wojnarowski on Tuesday that the Cleveland Cavaliers star is interested in playing for Team USA.
Holiday will become the 10th member of the team. Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported USA Basketball hopes to have the entire squad set and announced by the end of this week.
This will mark the first Olympic appearance for Holiday, though he has some familiarity with the process. His wife, Lauren Holiday, won two gold medals with the United States women's soccer team in 2008 and 2012.
Holiday has helped lead the Bucks into the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks. The 31-year-old averaged 17.7 points on 50.3 percent shooting, 6.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game during the regular season.
Bucks' Khris Middleton Commits to Play for Team USA at 2021 Tokyo Olympics
Jun 22, 2021
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, left, threatens as Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) looks for a shot in Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
One month away from the start of the Tokyo Olympics, Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton has committed to play for USA Basketball.
Middleton's agent, Mike Lindeman, told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski the nine-year veteran is going to join the national team in Japan.
Middleton was originally named to the USA men's basketball roster in 2018 and took part in minicamp with the club that summer.
Team USA included Middleton on the final 12-man roster for the 2019 FIBA World Cup team. He averaged 9.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in eight appearances. The United States finished seventh in the standings with a 6-2 record.
Middleton was one of 42 players named by USA Basketball as finalists in March for the Olympic team.
A two-time All-Star, Middleton has established himself as one of the best shooters in the NBA. The 29-year-old has averaged 20.6 points on 41.4 percent three-point shooting, 6.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 130 regular-season appearances since the start of 2019-20.
Middleton and the Bucks are getting set to host the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night.
The Summer Olympics are scheduled to run from July 23 through Aug. 8.
Woj: Mike Budenholzer Likely Secured Future With Bucks After Advancing to ECF
Jun 20, 2021
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 19: Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer celebrates the win with Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 and Khris Middleton #22 after game seven of the Eastern Conference second round at Barclays Center on June 19, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-111 in overtime to win the series. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Mike Budenholzer may have bought himself another season at the helm for the Milwaukee Bucks, and perhaps more.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on ABC's NBA Countdown on Sunday that Budenholzer has gone a long way to ensuring his future for the organization after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals (h/t RealGM):
Mike Budenholzer knew coming into this season that his future in Milwaukee would be judged by his postseason performance. He's gone through Miami and now he's gone through the Brooklyn Nets into the Eastern Conference Finals. I'm told that has gone a long way in securing Mike Budenholzer's future in Milwaukee. He has one year left on his contract.
Budenholzer, 51, has served as Milwaukee's head coach for the past three seasons, leading the team to a 162-65 record, three playoff appearances, two No. 1 seeds and two conference finals. He previously spent five seasons as the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks (213-197).
His future in Milwaukee was called into question, however, given the team's continued failures to reach the NBA Finals in the Giannis Antetokounmpo era.
Had the team not gotten past the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals—especially with the Nets never having their superstar trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden healthy at the same time during the series, with only Durant making it through the entirety of the matchup— a warm seat would have gone to scoring hot for Budenholzer.
Instead, the Bucks await the winner of Sunday's Game 7 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks.
They may not ever have a better chance of winning a title. While they don't have a completely clean bill of health—Donte DiVincenzo was lost for the postseason with a torn ligament in his left ankle—they are one of the few remaining teams with no major concerns regarding any of their star players.
"It was definitely exhausting but it's worth it. It's going to hurt a little bit if you want to be great."
The Greek Freak, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are healthy, outside of the normal wear and tear of a deep postseason run. The moment is now for these Bucks.
As for Budenholzer, it appears his future is secure.
Giannis on Bucks' Game 7 Win vs. Nets: 'The Job Is Not Done, We're Halfway'
Jun 20, 2021
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks talk during Round 2, Game 7 on June 19, 2021 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been here before. Still alive in the postseason through two rounds and close enough to the NBA Finals it no longer feels silly to dream about them.
He's trying not to look that far ahead, anyway. In fact, he had to reel in his emotions following a 115-111 Game 7 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on the road. It's the first time the Bucks have reached the conference finals since 2019, when they lost the series 4-2 to the Toronto Raptors. The Greek Freak isn't taking the return to this stage lightly.
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: "It's a great feeling. I try not to get too high or too low, but I almost got emotional a little bit out there. The team really tried their best. We kept our composure. ... But the job is not done. We're halfway."
Antetokounmpo poured in 40 points on 24 shots with 13 rebounds and five assists over 50 minutes in the win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: We worked extremely hard our whole lives for this moment. I wanted everyone to live up to this moment and cherish this moment. We are built for this.
Yet Antetokounmpo had to give himself a little room to enjoy the moment. Especially after Durant sent a Game 7 record for the most points scored with 48. That included an epic buzzer-beater with a second left to send the game to overtime tied at 109.
By that point both teams were completely and obviously gassed. Only eight points total were scored in overtime and the Bucks accounted for six of them.
"It was definitely exhausting but it's worth it. It's going to hurt a little bit if you want to be great."
Maybe that made it easier for Milwaukee to stay even-keeled after the win. After seven back-and-forth games filled with injuries, drama and epic performances, the Bucks had survived. Their reward is another best-of-seven series against the winner of Sunday's Game 7 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks.
"The job is not done," Antetokounmpo kept repeating. "The job is not done."
It is halfway complete, though, and that means something in Milwaukee.
After going 18 years between appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bucks are back for the second time in three years. They don't intend for that run to stop anytime soon, nor are they ready for this series to be their last of the 2021 playoffs.
This is only the midpoint, and while each win is worth celebrating this time of year, those moments can't overshadow the larger task.
The job is still not done for Milwaukee. Not even close.
Rick Carlisle Rumors: Former Mavericks Coach Linked to Bucks, Pacers Vacancies
Jun 18, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 02: Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle game 5 of the first round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers on June 02, 2021, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle may not stay unemployed for very long.
Appearing on Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collectivepodcast (h/t RealGM.com), ESPN's Tim MacMahon said Carlisle could end up with the Milwaukee Bucks if they decide to move on from Mike Budenholzer
MacMahon added "there's a lot of smoke" about Carlisle going to the Indiana Pacers.
Carlisle told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski via text message on Thursday that he informed Mavs owner Mark Cuban he wouldn't be returning as head coach next season.
"This was solely my decision," Carlisle added. "My family and I have had an amazing 13-year experience working with great people in a great city."
The Bucks job would be one of the most sought-after head-coaching positions in the NBA if it becomes available. They haven't finished worse than third in the Eastern Conference standings in each of the past three seasons, and Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a five-year extension in December.
Wojnarowski reported on the June 11 episode of his podcast (h/t RealGM.com) that "it's hard to imagine" Budenholzer, who has one year remaining on his current contract, returns if the Bucks lose their playoff series to the Brooklyn Nets.
The Pacers will going into the 2021-22 campaign with their third head coach in three seasons. Nate McMillan was fired by the team in August after a first-round playoff loss to the Miami Heat. Nate Bjorkgren was fired last week after a 34-38 record.
Carlisle is very familiar with the Indiana organization. He spent three years as an assistant coach under Larry Bird from 1997 to 2000. The 61-year-old returned to the Pacers as head coach from 2003 to 2007. He went 181-147 with three playoff appearances during that span.
Bucks' P.J. Tucker on Kevin Durant: 'He's the Best Scorer I've Ever Seen in My Life'
Jun 18, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Tucker (17) tries to force a turnover as Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) secures the ball in Game 5 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
P.J. Tucker had nothing but love for his fellow Texas Longhorn after the Milwaukee Bucks' 104-89 victory over the Brooklyn Nets to push their second-round series to seven games.
"Me and Kevin fight every year," he told reporters when talking about Kevin Durant. "... I love guarding him. I enjoy it. He's the best scorer I've ever seen in my life ... that's my brother, we compete, we fight every game, we're gonna fight again in Game 7."
"Me and Kevin fight every year...I love guarding him. I enjoy it. He's the best scorer I've ever seen in my life...that's my brother, we compete, we fight every game, we're gonna fight again in Game 7"
Tucker continued, talking about the opportunity to guard such an impressive player on this stage.
"It's the playoffs, man," he said. "I don't know what people think. We dream about this our whole lives. You dream about being in the playoffs and guarding the best player in the world. Like, I'll die out there. I'm living my dream."
Despite Tucker's solid defense, Durant still scored 32 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Yet he had seven turnovers and wasn't as unstoppable as he was in Game 5 when he exploded for a 49-point triple-double.
That it was Tucker and others guarding Durant and not Giannis Antetokounmpo was notable since there was some discussion about the Bucks' go-to option also defending KD.
The formula worked in Game 6, which means Tucker and Durant will have one more opportunity to go at it with the series on the line.
Giannis Says Bucks Are 'Built for This Moment' Ahead of Game 7 vs. Nets
Jun 18, 2021
MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks plays defense as James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball during the game during Round 2, Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 17, 2021 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images).
The Milwaukee Bucks have forced Game 7 in their Eastern Conference second-round playoff series with the Brooklyn Nets after defeating the visitors 104-89 in Fiserv Forum on Thursday.
Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 30 points on 12-of-20 shooting and 17 rebounds, spoke postgame with an eye on the series-deciding matchup.
"We're built for this moment," Antetokounmpo told reporters, per Ben Golliver of the Washington Post. "Simple as that. Nobody said it would be easy."
Khris Middleton added 38 points, 10 rebounds and five steals for the Bucks, who are looking to return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in three years. That appearance ended in a six-game loss to the eventual NBA champion Toronto Raptors in 2019.
The home team has won all six games of this series, which will head back to Brooklyn's Barclays Center on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Nets have been shorthanded for the entire series: James Harden was injured one minute into Game 1 (right hamstring tightness) but returned for Game 5. However, Kyrie Irving suffered a sprained right ankle in Game 4 and hasn't been back since. His status for Saturday's game is unknown.
Despite that, the Nets have prevailed largely because of Kevin Durant, who has been nearly unstoppable en route to averaging 33.3 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
KD could very well put the team on his back again like he did in Game 5 (49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists), and the Bucks obviously have to be wary of him as they look to survive and advance.
Milwaukee is looking for its first NBA Finals appearance since 1974 and first championship since 1971.
Kevin Durant: Nets 'Just Couldn't Get Over the Hump' in Game 6 Loss to Bucks
Jun 18, 2021
MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 17: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during Round 2, Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 17, 2021 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images).
The Milwaukee Bucks had an answer every time the Brooklyn Nets made a spurt during Thursday's contest, and the result was a 104-89 victory for the home team that forced a Game 7 in the second-round series.
"I felt like we were right there," Kevin Durant told reporters. "We just couldn't get over the hump."
Durant finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds in an impressive performance that wasn't quite the 49-point triple-double he posted during an epic showing in Game 5.
"I'm not trying to be a hero out there," he said. "I know we can't win a basketball game by myself."
Kevin Durant wasn't trying to duplicate his epic Game 5 performance in Game 6
"I'm not trying to be a hero out there. I know we can't win a basketball game by myself" pic.twitter.com/Gsm2OPCYnr
It seemed like Brooklyn was going to get over that hump multiple times in the second half. It closed the gap to five late in the third, but Khris Middleton answered with a 6-0 run by himself to end the quarter by pushing the advantage back to double digits.
The Nets then pulled within five again in the fourth quarter with a Joe Harris three-pointer just for the Bucks to respond with a 14-0 run that included Antetokounmpo converting a critical and-one and throwing down a dunk.
It was just the type of spark the Bucks needed after blowing a double-digit lead in Game 5 and should give them confidence for Saturday's decisive Game 7.
"Couple shots, couple questionable calls. It got ugly fast," James Harden told reporters when discussing Milwaukee's 14-0 run in the fourth.
Harden's performance was the one silver lining for the Nets, as he finished with 16 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals after shooting an ugly 1-of-10 from the field and 0-of-8 from three-point range in Game 5, which was his return from a hamstring injury.
If he resembles the nine-time All-Star version of himself in Game 7 alongside Durant, the Nets will have a much better chance of not only closing this series out with a win, but winning the championship even if Kyrie Irving continues to remain sidelined with an ankle injury.
Giannis Fuels Bucks with 30 Points to Force Game 7 vs. Kevin Durant, Nets
Jun 18, 2021
MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks plays defense as James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball during the game during Round 2, Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 17, 2021 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images).
There will be a Game 7 between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets.
Milwaukee salvaged its season for at least another contest with a 104-89 victory in Thursday's Game 6 of their second-round series at Fiserv Forum. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton led the way for the Bucks, who continued the pattern of the home team winning every game in this back-and-forth battle.
It's hard to script a game with much more pressure than Thursday's for Milwaukee.
It was facing elimination. It blew a 17-point lead in Game 5 even though Irving was sidelined. Antetokounmpo struggled down the stretch of the last one and put himself even further under the spotlight. And rumors about head coach Mike Budenholzer's future are swirling.
The star players rose to the moment in the early going.
Antetokounmpo didn't shoot a single three-pointer in the first half and instead aggressively attacked the basket. Middleton caught fire from deep, and Jrue Holiday was in double figures by intermission while also spearheading the perimeter defense and creating a number of turnovers. The result was a commanding 11-point halftime lead and plenty to cheer about for the raucous home crowd.
Still, the Bucks had a commanding lead in the last game just to blow it. The pressure remained in the second half, and there was palpable uneasiness as Brooklyn closed to within five in the final two minutes of the third quarter.
Rather than collapse, Middleton answered with two straight midrange shots and a tip-in to push the lead back to double digits heading to the fourth. It was a critical stretch and helped make up for Holiday forcing the issue as he shot 1-of-10 from three-point range.
It also set the stage for the Bucks to gradually pull away in the fourth with a 14-0 run that featured an and-one in transition and monster slam off an offensive rebound from Antetokounmpo. The defense was also excellent with the game hanging in the balance, and Milwaukee made a statement with its backs against the wall.
Nets Struggle on Offensive End in Loss
The biggest question coming into Thursday's game was what Durant had in store for an encore.
After all, he turned in a legendary playoff performance with a 49-point triple-double in Game 5 and had Antetokounmpo telling reporters he was "the best player in the world right now." With Irving out and James Harden limited by a hamstring injury, another such showing was not out of the question.
He wasn't as ruthlessly efficient out of the gates Thursday, though, and struggled to find his shot as the visitors fell behind by double digits by halftime. He helped make up for it on the glass, and Blake Griffin continued to provide important secondary scoring to keep Brooklyn within striking distance.
Perhaps most importantly, Harden was much better in his second game back and hit three triples while still facilitating in the first half. His ability to return to something resembling his typical form will be key for the Nets if they are going to deliver on their championship aspirations.
It was Durant's turn to carry the offense once again with 12 points in the third quarter behind an array of midrange jumpers. Yet the rest of the team had a mere seven points in the third, which prevented it from closing the gap even when Milwaukee went cold on the other end.
The run never came for the Nets even with Durant once again pouring in the points. They can at least take solace knowing that Harden played better, but the offense that was on display in the second half on Thursday as they scored 41 points will not be enough in Game 7 either.
What's Next?
The series returns to Brooklyn for the decisive Game 7 on Saturday.
Bucks Rumors: Rick Carlisle Could Be HC Target If Mike Budenholzer Is Fired
Jun 17, 2021
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 4: Head Coach Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the LA Clippers during Round 1, Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on June 4, 2021 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
Departed Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle could find a new home in Milwaukee should the Bucks part ways with Mike Budenholzer, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times, who pointed out that "rumblings" about Carlisle and the Bucks "have been circulating for weeks."
Carlisle told Mavericks governor Mark Cuban on Thursday that he does not intend to return as coach next season after 13 years with the franchise, according to ESPN. He had two years left on his contract.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported this week that Budenholzer may be on his way out unless he can engineer a dominant postseason run (h/t Kurt Helin of NBC Sports). The Bucks tip off in a must-win Game 6 against the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Thursday.
Carlisle's departure comes after Dallas' first-round loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, though Cuban told reporters he didn't plan on moving on from the 61-year-old.
Apparently, Carlisle wasn't interested in job security. Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported Monday that there is an expectation that Budenholzer could be on his way out if Milwaukee doesn't reach the NBA Finals, and Carlisle is interested in the opening.
The Carlisle move came amid a report from ESPN's Tim MacMahon that the relationship between the coach and his star player, Luka Doncic, was one of "simmering tension." That coincided with a report from Tim Cato and Sam Amick of The Athletic that suggested the Mavericks organization was in crisis.
Haralabos Voulgaris, a former professional gambler who was hired as the Mavs director of quantitative research and development in 2018, reportedly overstepped his role and worked directly with Cuban and Carlisle, much to the chagrin of Doncic.
Cuban took to Twitter to deny the report, but the latest development—which came one day after general manager Donnie Nelson's departure—may suggest that there is in fact turmoil within the front office.
As for Carlisle's future, even if the Milwaukee job doesn't materialize, there will be at least six NBA head coaching jobs to be had this offseason, and he's certainly a qualified candidate. He won 555 games in Dallas and leaves as the winningest coach in franchise history, and his 836 wins compiled through 19 years with Dallas, Indiana and Detroit are the third-most among active coaches.
