++GS plays like a vet team and closes out quarters strongly.
Been killing Clips in last 3 mins of seemingly every quarter.
+
So what's with Bulldog Drummond? Is he just a slug? Low motor? Doesn't care? Not in good shape?
Sure he puts up numbers because he's huge.
But he's lazy on defense, lazy changing ends, doesn't bother doing small stuff, just reacts when the ball is near.
Bucks shot a lot of 3's when Drummond sagged and didn't close out. Drum also 2-8 on FT's.
Drummond should be having Embiid like dominance, but doesn't seem interested in working for that.
I thought SVG did a good job when he put together Drummond, Reg Jax, added Stan John. I thought that looked like a genuine core. But RegJax is always injured, hasn't improved and isn't much of a floor general. Bucks ripped off their biggest lead in G3, going up 14. So Reg Jax comes down, does some fancy dribbling and multi-fakes and winds up taking a contested 18 footer over a taller defender. Ugly, and at the very wrong time.
My one takeaway from the last month of the season is how bad so many players are at reading the moment and understanding what is necessary. usually after the other team has a big run, and a team needs to settle down and get a good shot and easy basket, you get these knuckleheads taking stupid difficult shots. Drives me crazy.
Drummond has stagnated. Gets his and is impactful every 5th game or so. StanJohn already shipped out. Nice athlete, strong defender, but limited offense. Actually SJ is terrific on the break and started adding some dribble drive, but his J is just bad for now.
I have no idea why DET could never put together a bench. But draft picks such as Ellenson and Kennard and StanJohn haven't panned out. And since RegJax and Drummond stagnated, even adding Blake hasn't done much except put them in position to get thrashed by MIL. The last month I saw DET 3 times and mostly just hoped Blake wouldn't hurt himself doing everything out there. And of course he's very dinged up for these playoffs. He's Mr Effort.
For years I was keen on adding Bledsoe. And this year he finally busted out. Still more of a combo G, but he's playing hard and with confidence and purpose. Had injuries over the years. I wanted RegJax too, though less sure if he's be a good starting PG. He's still not consistent and doesn't run a team well. Oftentimes DET looks better with Ish at the helm.
I was always down on Boogie and big on Drummond. But looks like DET should have moved him while he was still intriguing. Wha't his value now? The new NBA isn't favorable for a load like Bulldog who isn't going to guard the 3-line at all. Guy needs to get in shape and learn to make FT's.