It’s way early, but this Bucks move doesn’t look good at all so far. Their defense is so much worse. Clearly it’s a move made for the playoffs, but hunting the weaknesses of a defense to exploit is usually amplified in the playoffs.

We have a bunch of players in the game at this point that are supremely talented on offense, yet are such defensive liabilities, I’m not sure how much value they bring. Dame to Kyrie to on the very low end, guys like Lavine. Lavine can score 50 and still be the lowest */- guy on most nights. Jalen Green is rapidly heading that direction.

Most guards aren’t great defenders, but the guys who can score 17 and aren’t turnstiles on defense are often worth more than the guy who scores 25 and is. Just being able to provide some resistance that allows for the good defenders to switch or rim protect is huge.

I’m sure the Bucks thought they could fade Dame’s defense, and it’s early, but Lopez is 35 now. They just look off. Their starting 5 were all like -25 against the Hawks.

Anytime you put stars together it’s awkward at first, so they’ll be very good and score 135 a lot of nights, but their defense is markedly worse and crowning them the team to beat might be a bit premature. I think their stars are all good dudes, so if it can be worked out, they’ll probably work it out, but I don’t love how it looks.