Photo Credit: Getty Images
Mike Budenholzer Is Getting Blasted For Not Having His Stars Play More Minutes
The Milwaukee Bucks have a mountain to climb if they want to save their season, as no team in NBA playoff history has ever come back from being down 3-0.
But the Bucks’ problems are of their own making, every player has been playing worse than in the regular season, Giannis Antetokounmpo included and coach Budenholzer hasn’t been able to find a solution to counter Miami’s style of play. More so, Bud has been receiving more and more criticism – not least because he’s still having his stars play limited minutes, during a time their entire season is on the line.
The night before, the Raptors for example, who were in the same position as the Bucks prior to their Game 3, desperately were in need of a win.
Nick Nurse went on to play Kyle Lowry 46 minutes, OG Anunoby 45 minutes, and Fred VanVleet 41 minutes. Budenholzer though played Giannis Antetokounmpo 34 minutes, Bledsoe 29 minutes and Middleton 36 minutes – similar to their previous playing time in Games 1 and 2.
Antetokounmpo’s injury wasn’t the reason for his limited minutes, the soon-to-be back-to-back NBA MVP even said that he felt great and could have played more minutes.
It seems as for now, the coach is getting most of the criticism, not only for not playing his stars longer, but also for failing to make adjustments.
Mike Budenholzer saying Giannis playing 35-36 minutes is “pushing the ceiling” https://t.co/ok0zPRexR2
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 5, 2020
With 10:10 left in the fourth quarter, the Bucks had a 91-80 lead. Miami scored 7 straight points to cut the lead to four. Mike Budenholzer rested Giannis for two minutes AFTER that run. Milwaukee was outscored 28–9 the rest of the way.
— Rohan Nadkarni (@RohanNadkarni) September 5, 2020
Imagine Belichick prepping for a playoff opponent and saying “I know they can’t stop the run but we are a pass first team and we aren’t changing who we are.”
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) September 5, 2020
This Bucks L is on Budenholzer, what’s he resting Giannis for? For the couch when they get swept?
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) September 5, 2020
Budenholzer:
– lost 4 straight to Cleveland in 2015
– lost 4 straight to Cleveland in 2016
– lost 4 straight to Toronto in 2019
– in danger of losing 4 straight to Miami— K. –– Free Iran (@ThatPersianGuy) September 5, 2020
Budenholzer right now pic.twitter.com/5n6JbaSzyw
— sandman (@sand2theman) September 2, 2020
