What will the Bucks do in the 2024 NBA Draft? (06.21.2024)
Bucks writers Jim Owczarski and Ben Steele join host JR Radcliffe to discuss the upcoming NBA draft. Will the Bucks keep the players they select, and if so, which players are most intriguing? How does Milwaukee's financial situation play into the picture. Can they trade a veteran and still get better? Ben discusses what he expects for the Marquette University players in the draft. Plus: Can the...
39m Jun 21, 2024
39m
A sad goodbye to the 2023-24 Milwaukee Bucks season (05.06.2024)
Snakebitten by injuries, the Milwaukee Bucks saw their 2023-24 season come to an unceremonious end in a 4-2 series loss to the Indiana Pacers. Was it just bad luck or something more fundamental? Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski gives a farewell to the season and also looks ahead. Will Milwaukee simply run it back? Is Jon Horst headed to Detroit? What do we make of the coaching carousel in retrospec...
53m May 06, 2024
53m
Bucks vs. Pacers: The injury story lines, the bad blood, Tyrese Haliburton and more (04.19.2024)
Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Pacers reporter Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star take a look at the looming clash between the two NBA squads in the first round of the 2024 postseason. What's the latest on the injuries? How have these teams changed since their regular-season meetings ended in early January? Who's got the edge? Plus: Predictions and more ...
41m Apr 19, 2024
41m
Was Doc Rivers the right move? Lori Nickel discusses the Bucks' chaotic last year (04.18.2024)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Lori Nickel stops by to discuss the bigger picture of the Milwaukee Bucks after a chaotic 2023-24 season. Was firing Mike Budenholzer the right move? What about hiring Doc Rivers and quickly moving on from Adrian Griffin? What about the trade for superstar Damian Lillard? How will this offseason look if the Bucks flame out early in the NBA playoffs? Music i...
31m Apr 18, 2024
31m
Bucks playoff preview: When will Giannis be healthy and a matchup with the Pacers (04.16.2024)
Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe dive into the first-round playoff series between Milwaukee and the Indiana Pacers. What's the latest on the injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo, and can they win the series without him? How will this moment impact the overall perception of Doc Rivers and Damian Lillard? What's changed since Indiana took four of five against Milwaukee in the regular...
46m Apr 16, 2024
46m
Bucks panic podcast! What's real and what's fake in Milwaukee's skid toward the postseason? (04.08.2024)
Milwaukee Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the Bucks' woeful skid toward the postseason with a series of losses at the time of year teams want to be peaking. Is it a mirage, or have they really lost control of the season? What does this mean for Doc Rivers? For Damian Lillard? For the possibility that a championship window is closing? They break it all down with four r...
48m Apr 08, 2024
48m
Is Damian Lillard the key to Milwaukee returning to title-contender status? (02.23.2024)
Jim Owczarski, Lori Nickel and JR Radcliffe discuss the Bucks at the all-star break, including Damian Lillard's massive weekend in Indianapolis. What's up with all these weird Bucks sound bites in all-star week interviews? Is this team courting some extra drama, and if so, does that means things have gotten a little desperate? Is the Bucks success as simple as Lillard achieving consistency? Wha...
54m Feb 23, 2024
54m
Patrick Beverley and the Bucks at the trade deadline. How concerned should fans be with slow start under Doc Rivers? (02.09.2024)
Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the Milwaukee Bucks' maneuvers at the NBA trade deadline in this edition of the Point Forward Podcast. How will Patrick Beverley fit? What was the purpose of trading Robin Lopez if it doesn't put the Bucks in better financial position? How alarming is Milwaukee's recent play under new coach Doc Rivers, with five losses in six games? Wha...
30m Feb 09, 2024
30m
Bucks make stunning change at head coach; Adrian Griffin out, Doc Rivers in (01.24.2024)
The Milwaukee Bucks made a big splash on Tuesday, firing first-year head coach Adrian Griffin and replacing him with long-tenured coach and Marquette University alumnus Doc Rivers. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski joins host JR Radcliffe to break down the maneuver. Why was now the time to make a change? What did the Bucks get wrong about Griffin in the hiring process? Will a gambit like this work, ...
45m Jan 24, 2024
45m
The Bucks are in a slump. How do they get back to championship-caliber basketball? (01.09.2024)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters Lori Nickel and Jim Owczarski join host JR Radcliffe to discuss the slumping Milwaukee Bucks, who have lost 4 of 5 to start the 2024 half of the season and still haven't fully clicked despite a great record. What has to happen for the Bucks to get back on a championship path? What's the latest evaluation on head coach Adrian Griffin? Is it as simple as Damia...
58m Jan 09, 2024
58m
Giannis scores 64 points and battles Indiana for the game ball in wild scene (12.14.2023)
A wild scene unfolded at Fiserv Forum on Dec. 13, when Giannis Antetokounmpo set a Bucks single-game record with 64 points but then got into a heated exchange with the Indiana Pacers over possession of the game ball. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski discusses what he saw in the Bucks win, what in the world happened and whether or not it ties into the frustration of early-season struggles (albeit st...
50m Dec 14, 2023
50m
Did the Bucks and Adrian Griffin turn a corner after their rocky start? (11.20.2023)
Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe are back to give an early-season progress report on the Bucks. After a shaky start, have they turned a corner? Specifically, has head coach Adrian Griffin rapidly evolved after some early struggles? How has the Damian Lillard-Giannis Antetokounmpo dynamic played out? How much thought and worry should we put into the Khris Middleton return-to-fu...
49m Nov 20, 2023
49m
Giannis signs extension for three more years and the 2023-24 season preview (10.24.2023)
Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the new extension for Giannis Antetokounmpo, one that caught everyone by surprise Monday night. Including the guys who already had a podcast ready to go ... oops. After discussing the elements that led Giannis to stay on in Milwaukee, they look at the season preview as a whole, including the massive acquisition of Damian Lillard. What w...
1hr 9m Oct 24, 2023
1hr 9m
Emergency Podcast: Bucks trade for star point guard Damian Lillard (09.27.2023)
The Milwaukee Bucks became the surprise winner of the Damian Lillard sweepstakes Wednesday, acquiring the Portland Trail Blazers star in a three-way deal that sent Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen elsewhere. The Bucks now find themselves as the favorite to win the East, and maybe the NBA title. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss what level of urgency, if any, Bucks GM...
31m Sep 28, 2023
31m
How will the tax-apron situation impact Milwaukee and a look back at summer league (07.21.2023)
What were the takeaways, if any, for the Milwaukee Bucks from the summer league? Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski is back from Las Vegas with some thoughts, limited as they might be for the 2023-24 regular-season Bucks. He talks about his conversation with general manager Jon Horst, including the revelation that the Bucks are past the second tax apron. What does that mean in the short term and long...
40m Jul 21, 2023
40m
Khris and Brook are back, summer league is here and we have a lot to catch up on (07.10.2023)
So much has happened since the last podcast, including the re-signing of Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Jae Crowder and ... surprise! ... Robin Lopez and Malik Beasley. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski looks at the entire free agency situation and what it says about Adrian Griffin's coaching philosophy, Milwaukee's chances next year and the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jim and host JR Radcliffe ...
52m Jul 08, 2023
52m
Bucks officially hire new head coach Adrian Griffin (06.07.2023)
The Milwaukee Bucks officially have a new head coach with the announcement of Adrian Griffin as the lead man. Reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel were there, and they discuss with podcast host JR Radcliffe their takeaways from the press conference. How will he fit with the current roster (including the players who are free agents)? Will he fortify a strong relationship with Giannis? What ab...
44m Jun 07, 2023
44m
Let's discuss Adrian Griffin, reportedly the next head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks (05.31.2023)
Jim, Lori and JR are back to discuss Adrian Griffin, the former Raptors assistant who's reportedly about to become the next head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. They talk about his fit as a player and a person, the role of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the search, the uncertainty of a hire without head-coaching experience, the accusations of domestic abuse from 2020 (and the lawsuit he brought against...
34m May 31, 2023
34m
The Bucks coaching search intensifies and forecasting the future of Giannis (05.22.2023)
Admittedly, we recorded this just before news that the Bucks coaching search has zoomed in on Nick Nurse, Kenny Atkinson and Adrian Griffin, but Journal Sentinel reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe look at where things stand in the Bucks coaching search, what traits the team is looking for and what kind of timeline might exist for an announcement. Then, it's a look to the future. What ...
56m May 22, 2023
56m
Mike Budenholzer is out at Bucks coach. We discuss every angle. (05.08.2023)
While teams are playing in the conference semifinals, the Milwaukee Bucks are looking for a new coach. Quite the unexpected turn of events! Reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel join host JR Radcliffe to discuss the end of Mike Budenholzer's tenure with the Bucks after five seasons following a shocking first-round playoff exit, and we have many questions. Would this move have happened anyway ...
57m May 08, 2023
57m
Disaster in Milwaukee: What went wrong in the Bucks shocking first-round playoff loss? (04.27.2023)
The 2023 season is over, ending in a shocking five-game loss to the Miami Heat. Bucks reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel join host JR Radcliffe to discuss the improbable setback, capped by a 16-point meltdown in Game 5 at Fiserv Forum. What are the root causes for the loss? What do they make of Mike Budenholzer's decision not to use timeouts in certain situations, and what about his rotati...
1hr 6m Apr 27, 2023
1hr 6m
The Bucks are facing a 3-1 deficit and we are freaking out (04.25.2023)
The Milwaukee Bucks are in a massive bind after a meltdown in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round, facing a 3-1 deficit and the prospect of being eliminated by the No. 8 seed. Jim Owczarski and JR Radcliffe discuss the shocking result, the injury and health status of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the struggles of Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday (and everyone else, for that matter), and the f...
48m Apr 25, 2023
48m
Bucks go on record-setting 3-point barrage to win Game 2 and even series (04.20.2023)
Jim Owczarski, Lori Nickel and JR Radcliffe look at a lopsided Game 2 win at Fiserv Forum on April 19, during which the Milwaukee Bucks tied an NBA record with 25 three-pointers. Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, it was a winning combination and helped Milwaukee even the first-round series at 1-1. Why was Pat Connaughton, one of the stars of the night, missing from the late-season rotation again? ...
25m Apr 20, 2023
25m
Game 1 loss to Heat could be extra painful with Giannis Antetokounmpo injury (04.17.2023)
The Bucks are facing another 0-1 series deficit after a setback against the Miami Heat on Sunday, one that featured an injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo. What was the temperature around the team postgame? Journal Sentinel writers Lori Nickel and Jim Owczarski join host JR Radcliffe to discuss the landscape if Giannis can't play in Game 2 and what the Heat showed that might be sustainable going fo...
53m Apr 17, 2023
53m
Get to know the Miami Heat, the Bucks first-round playoff opponent (04.14.2023)
Host JR Radcliffe is joined by ESPN West Palm's Ken LaVicka, who offers insight into the Milwaukee Bucks' first-round playoff opponent, the Miami Heat. How does a team go from the top seed in the East to the eighth in one year with roughly the same roster? How does Miami perceive Marquette University alumnus Jimmy Butler and Whitnall High School graduate Tyler Herro? Is Bam Adebayo still seen a...
15m Apr 15, 2023
15m
The highlights of the 2022-23 regular season and Khris Middleton's health (04.11.2023)
It's a full house for a lengthy Point Forward Podcast, with Jim Owczarski, Lori Nickel, Ben Steele and JR Radcliffe looking at the best of the 2022-23 season. Who was the team's non-Giannis MVP? What was the best game? The biggest surprise? The coolest moment? They also discuss the team's relative health heading into the playoffs, especially Khris Middleton. Is he going to be here next year? Pl...
1hr 2m Apr 11, 2023
1hr 2m
Concerns after a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics (04.04.2023)
Journal Sentinel reporters Ben Steele, Lori Nickel and Jim Owczarski join host JR Radcliffe to discuss Milwaukee's lopsided loss to Boston and how it impacts the confidence that Milwaukee can indeed win the Eastern Conference. At least the team bounced back with a big win over Philadelphia on Sunday. Plus: Could the 76ers realistically supplant either Boston or Milwaukee? What would a potential...
56m Apr 04, 2023
56m
The Bucks are approaching the chase for the top seed differently this year (03.27.2023)
In past years, the Milwaukee Bucks have played down their interest in grabbing the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but it's different this year. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the home stretch of the season, including a looming battle with the Celtics. The guys look back at a meeting vs. top dogs in Denver (sadly on the back half of a back-to-back), the immi...
44m Mar 27, 2023
44m
Examining the Bucks' playoff roster depth, their "invisible" starter and Giannis Antetokounmpo's vision (3.20.23)
Columnist Lori Nickel and beat writer Jim Owczarski examine the Bucks' playoff roster depth, their "secret" starter and Giannis Antetokounmpo's vision.
53m Mar 20, 2023
53m
Just how much damage will Marquette do in the NCAA Tournament? (03.13.2023)
Marquette Golden Eagles reporter Ben Steele joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the Marquette men's basketball team's draw in the NCAA Tournament, including a No. 2 seed and first-round meeting with Vermont. They look at the potential matchups that await, including with No. 1 seed Purdue, and gauge how strong their chances are. Where does MU rank this season relative to other teams in recent his...
32m Mar 14, 2023
32m
How strong are the Bucks' cases for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year? (03.13.2023)
Bucks reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel join host JR Radcliffe to look at the NBA awards race; what are the realistic chances for Giannis Antetokounmpo (MVP), Brook Lopez (Defensive Player of the Year) and Bobby Portis (Sixth Man of the Year) to win some postseason hardware as we hit the home stretch of the 2022-23 season? First, Giannis must get healthy; how concerned is Jim about that n...
41m Mar 13, 2023
41m
Goran Dragić joins the fold, and the Bucks finally drop a game (03.07.2023)
The epic Milwaukee Bucks winning streak is snapped at 16 games, though the team quickly picked up a new one and have the best record in the NBA. Bucks reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel join host JR Radcliffe to discuss that and the newest member of the Milwaukee Bucks, Goran Dragić. Is it strange that Jae Crowder wasn't used down the stretch against Philadelphia. How serious are the red f...
37m Mar 07, 2023
37m
Let's talk about Big East champion Marquette (03.03.2023)
This isn't an episode about the Milwaukee Bucks, but it is about another big Milwaukee basketball story. Host JR Radcliffe and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Ben Steele chat about the Marquette men's team, which went from picked ninth in the preseason to outright champion in the Big East Conference. What's made Shaka Smart so effective in his second season, even without liberal use of the ...
26m Mar 04, 2023
26m
Ownership change, Giannis ailing, a winning streak and Jae Crowder (02.28.2023)
It's a newsy Point Forward Podcast this week, starting with an official agreement between Bucks owner Marc Lasry and Jimmy Haslam for a 25% stake in the team. Jim Owczarski, Lori Nickel and JR Radcliffe of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discuss that as well as the on-the-court stories in the midst of a 14-game winning streak. Giannis Antetokounmpo was back from one injury but incurred another. ...
46m Feb 28, 2023
46m
The latest on Giannis Antetokounmpo's wrist injury and an NBA all-star recap (02.20.23)
Breaking down the latest on Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his right wrist injury and recapping all things Wisconsin at the 2023 NBA all-star game.
42m Feb 20, 2023
42m
Potential new owner emerges, 10 straight wins and a looming battle with Boston (02.14.2023)
Could there be a new owner in town soon? Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski, columnist Lori Nickel and host JR Radcliffe look at the report that Marc Lasry has had conversations with Dee and Jimmy Haslam about taking over his 25% ownership stake. How should Bucks fans feel about the potential move? On the court, the Bucks have won 10 in a row with a Valentine's Day battle with mighty Boston just ahea...
43m Feb 14, 2023
43m
Emergency podcast: Bucks trade for Jae Crowder (02.09.2023)
The Milwaukee Bucks made a deal at the trade deadline, bringing in Jae Crowder, the NBA veteran and Marquette University alumnus who's long been linked to the Bucks. Jim Owczarski, Lori Nickel and JR Radcliffe discuss his fit on the team, the price the Bucks paid to get him, the two open roster spots that remain and the shape of the league after the dust settles from this year's deadline. Musi...
33m Feb 09, 2023
33m
Trade deadline week arrives, Jrue Holiday is an all-star and Kareem's record on the brink (02.06.2023)
It's trade deadline week; will the Bucks finally land Jae Crowder, or someone else? Or make no move at all? Bucks reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel join host JR Radcliffe to chat about that and Jrue Holiday, who's back in the all-star game for the first time in 10 years. Are the Brooklyn Nets officially no longer a threat following their trade of Kyrie Irving, and how does that move shape...
41m Feb 06, 2023
41m
Middleton's back, Bobby's out and Giannis just takes over (01.31.2023)
Khris Middleton is finally back on the floor for the Bucks, albeit on a minutes restriction, but an injury to Bobby Portis once again means Milwaukee has to play short-handed. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss what those things mean, plus Giannis Antetokounmpo once again taking over to lead his team on a run of victories. He'll be an all-star captain once again. What ab...
37m Jan 31, 2023
37m
Giannis and Khris are finally back and Serge Ibaka wants out (01.24.2023)
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are finally healthy enough to return for the Milwaukee Bucks, and now's the time for the Bucks to rack up some wins with the schedule ahead. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss that and the situation with Serge Ibaka, who's asked to leave the team. The trade deadline continues to loom over everything. Plus: Grayson Allen is a bett...
31m Jan 24, 2023
31m
Are we sure the Bucks are a top-six team in the Eastern Conference? (01.17.2023)
Are alarm bells sounding for the Milwaukee Bucks? Journal Sentinel reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss Milwaukee's recent up-and-down play, most recently with a rally for victory Monday against Indiana. Khris Middleton has been out for a prolonged stay and Giannis has missed three games in a row; at some point, when does this become a serious problem for the Bucks? Can the team...
40m Jan 17, 2023
40m
Is Bill Simmons right that Bucks have issues with chemistry? (01.03.2023)
The Bucks' protracted rut continued last week even with a brief respite against Minnesota. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss Milwaukee's continued struggles with injuries and shooting the basketball. Podcaster Bill Simmons suggested the Bucks have chemistry issues ... is that right? And how should the average Bucks fan feel about news that Marc Lasry might be selling hi...
35m Jan 03, 2023
35m
Are we seeing red flags after Bucks drop three straight? (12.27.2022)
The Milwaukee Bucks are suddenly in a rut, unable to shoot the ball and falling to three straight powerful Eastern Conference foes. Just how much should we worry? Host JR Radcliffe is joined by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel to discuss the losses, including a Christmas Day setback in Boston. How concerning has Khris Middleton's injury gotten? What's holding b...
44m Dec 27, 2022
44m
Joe Ingles joins the party (12.19.2022)
The Milwaukee Bucks prepare to add Joe Ingles to the floor this week, roughly 10 months after ACL reconstructive surgery. How will Milwaukee's offseason addition impact what the Bucks have going on? Bucks reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel join host JR Radcliffe to discuss that and more about the team with the top record in the NBA. Milwaukee beats the Warriors, suffers a burn-the-tape mom...
42m Dec 19, 2022
42m
Khris Middleton injury part of bad night in Houston and get to know MarJon Beauchamp (12.13.2022)
The Bucks had a good week, but a rough night in Houston spoils the porridge. Khris Middleton is out again; will the Bucks be using him sparingly the rest of the year? Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Lori Nickel and host JR Radcliffe discuss the week's events, including a massive game-winner from Brook Lopez and the odds that he's around next year. Plus, Lori talks about her interview with ...
31m Dec 13, 2022
31m
Khris Middleton is back and Bucks have an entertaining loss to Lakers (12.05.2022)
Khris Middleton is back! The Bucks had their Big Three together for an entertaining game against the Los Angeles Lakers, even though it ended with a loss. Milwaukee book-ended it with an ugly win over the Knicks and an uplifting bench win over Charlotte. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss Giannis' current place in the MVP discussion, the true contenders in the East, a se...
26m Dec 05, 2022
26m
Giannis is on fire and Bucks re-discover their groove (11.29.2022)
The Milwaukee Bucks won three of four last week, led by a resurgent Giannis Antetokounmpo, who perhaps was pretty fired up after Ladder Gate. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss his play, the overall improvement of the team, the role Bobby Portis has played this season and the likelihood that some players on the roster (George Hill, Wesley Matthews, Jordan Nwora) will be ...
33m Nov 29, 2022
33m
Breaking down Giannis Antetokounmpo's involvement in 'ladder gate'
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was caught on film pushing a ladder over in Philadelphia after the Bucks loss Friday. A bad look or something that requires greater context? Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski was there and talked to Giannis in the immediate aftermath, and he discusses the situation with columnist Lori Nickel and host JR Radcliffe. How much is on him and how much should be a...
46m Nov 21, 2022
46m
Just how worried should Bucks fans be about injuries? (11.14.2022)
Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss Milwaukee's increasing injury issues, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday sidelined. When are Khris and Pat ever coming back? They discuss the legend of Jevon Carter, the team's shooting woes, the tradeable asset of Grayson Allen, a new-look defense limiting threes and yet one more addition to the jersey wardrobe. Music intro p...
37m Nov 14, 2022
37m
Bucks stay perfect, but the true tests remain. Also, Giannis is MVP, right? (11.08.2022)
Milwaukee Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and columnist Lori Nickel join host JR Radcliffe to look at the still-perfect Milwaukee Bucks and just how excited fans should be about the historic start given the kind schedule. MarJon Beauchamp gets some run, Jevon Carter has been a rock-solid addition and Giannis ... well, he's definitely the MVP so far, right? Sure, it's too early to tell, but so what...
41m Nov 07, 2022
41m