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Giannis named NBA’s Most Valuable Player (Audio)

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Giannis Antetokounmpo – (File Photo) – Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks may have finished two wins shy of a trip to the NBA Finals, but they cleaned up at the NBA Awards ceremony on Monday night in Los Angeles.

After Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer was named the NBA Coach of the Year and GM Jon Horst captured Executive of the Year honors, superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was awarded the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award for the 2018-19 season.

While leading the Bucks to their best record since the 1980-81 season and the top mark in the NBA at 60-22, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.7 points (3rd in the NBA), 12.5 rebounds (6th in the NBA) and 5.9 assists (T-20th in the NBA) per game, all career-highs.  He also shot a franchise record 57.8% from the field (11th in the NBA), blocked 1.5 shots (10th in the NBA) and swiped 1.3 steals per game.  Giannis became just the ninth player in NBA history to average at least 25.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game over the course of a season and did so with the highest shooting percentage [Read more…]

Jon Horst named NBA Executive of the Year

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Jon Horst

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager Jon Horst has been named NBA Executive of the Year, becoming the second GM in Bucks history to win the award.

In his second season as the Bucks’ General Manager, Horst hired Mike Budenholzer, who was named the NBA’s Coach of the Year and assembled a team that went on to have the best record in the NBA at 60-22.

The Bucks were the top scoring team in the league in 2018-19 and finished the regular season with a top five offense and defense.  The Bucks also advanced past the First Round of the playoffs, and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, for the first time since 2001.

The Bucks are now 104-60 (.634) over the last two seasons with Horst as the team’s general manager, having made the playoffs in each season.

Horst is the second Bucks general manager to earn NBA Executive of the Year, joining John Hammond who won the award following the 2009-10 season.

 

Bucks sign GM Horst to contract extension

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Jon Horst

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed General Manager Jon Horst to a multi-year contract extension.

In two seasons under Horst, the Bucks have generated a 104-60 (.634) record, hired Mike Budenholzer as head coach, and put the Bucks in position for long term success.  In the past season alone, the Bucks finished a league best 60-22 (.732), the first 60-win season for the Bucks since the 1980-81 season.  They advanced past the first round of the Playoffs for the first time since 2001.

Horst began his NBA front office career with the Detroit Pistons in 2005 and joined the Bucks basketball staff in 2008 as the team’s Director of Basketball Operations.

“I’m thankful to our ownership group for their continued trust and confidence in me,” Horst said.  “Wes, Marc and Jamie have been resolute in their commitment to building a championship-caliber team, providing the necessary tools and resources, and I look forward to continuing to execute their vision.  I am grateful for the partnership I have with Coach Bud and Peter and want to thank my hard-working staff, especially Milt Newton, for their dedication and support in building a championship-level team.”

Bucks Select DiVincenzo in NBA Draft

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The Milwaukee Bucks selected Villanova sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo with the 17th overall pick in the NBA Draft.

DiVincenzo was the star of the NCAA National Championship Game when he had 31 points and five 3-pointers.  He shot 40 percent from three-point range last season.  DiVincenzo was named the top sixth man in the Big East after averaging 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
The Bucks shot 35.5 percent from 3-point range last season, tied for 21st in the NBA. They averaged just 8.8 3s a game, 27th in the league.

DiVincenzo is very athletic, with a combine best 42-inch vertical leap.

Reports: Budenholzer to take over as Bucks head coach

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According to multiple reports, the Milwaukee Bucks have reached an agreement with Mike Budenholzer to become the 16th head coach in franchise history.

The deal was first reported by ESPN, which said Budenholzer’s deal will cover four years.

The 48-year-old Budenholzer was one of two finalists, along with San Antonio Spurs assistant Ettore Messina, to be interviews a second time by Bucks G.M. Jon Horst as well as the Bucks ownership team.

Budenholzer will replace Joe Prunty, who coached the Bucks for 37 games as well as this years playoffs, following the dismissal of Jason Kidd in January.  The Bucks finished seventh in the East this past season (44-38).  They fell to Boston in seven games in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. [Read more…]

Bucks fire Jason Kidd after 23-22 start

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Jason Kidd

Milwaukee Bucks fans have been calling for Jason Kidd’s job for some time now.  Today (Monday), the Bucks ownership group finally agreed, relieving Kidd of his coaching duties.

“We appreciate everything that Jason has done for the Bucks organization, but we have decided to make a coaching change,” said Bucks General Manager Jon Horst.  “We believe that a fresh approach and a chance in leadership are needed to continue elevating our talented team towards the next level, bringing us closer to our goal of competing for championships.  Jason led a historic turnaround during his first season and would guide our team to two playoff appearances.  He also played meaningful role in helping to keep the Bucks in Milwaukee.  We thank him for all of his contributions and wish him the best.”

The Bucks are 23-22 and currently the 8-seed in the Eastern Conference.  They’ve dropped four of their last five games entering tonight’s home game against the Phoenix Suns.

Bucks assistant coach Joe Prunty will serve as head coach for tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

In Kidd’s three and a half seasons as head coach, the Bucks had a regular season record of 139-152 and reached the first round of the NBA Playoffs in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons.

 

 

Parker still rehabbing with no extension yet

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Jabari Parker File Photo: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks opened their training camp doors, but it doesn’t include Jabari Parker.  Parker appeared at the teams Media Day on Monday, taking a break from the rehabilitation work on the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Parker said he’s making progress and getting stronger, but he’s not ready.  And he won’t be until at least February.

Parker is entering the fourth and final year of his initial rookie contract and the Bucks have an exclusive opportunity to sign him to a contract extension.

But there’s no extension yet and it’s possible there won’t be one until after the season.  Parker’s injury history would suggest he is a high-risk.  The Bucks have until October 16 to make a decision, or wait until later.

AUDIO: GM Jon Horst on trying to decide on an extension for Jabari Parker by Oct. 16 :16

AUDIO: Horst is impressed with Parker’s rehab :11

Bucks re-sign Tony Snell

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Tony Snell (file photo) Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks have re-signed restricted free agent guard Tony Snell.

“Tony was an integral part of our team’s improvement last season and we’re excited to re-sign him,” said General Manager Jon Horst.  “He is a tireless worker, a terrific teammate and a man of great character.  We look forward to having him back with the Bucks as we continue to build toward a championship.”

Snell had the best season of his four-year NBA career in 2016-17, his first with the Bucks.  He set new career highs in points (8.5), rebounds (3.1), assists (1.2) and minutes (29.2) per game while playing and starting a career high 80 games.  Snell also set new personal bests in 3-point percentage (.406) and field goal percentage (.455) during the 2016-17 season after he was acquired by the Bucks in October.

The 6’7 guard has career averages of 6.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 21.4 minutes per game.  He was originally drafted with the 20th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls out of New Mexico.