Monday Morning Media Roundup: August 23rd, 2021

We’re back here another week, digging desperately for even a hint of pay dirt in the form of an interesting article or two. Is this what it was like to be a miner during the California gold rush? Pretty close, I reckon.

I might not have found those life-changing nuggets I’d hoped for, but the wider internet is as desperate for clicks as I am, so we did dig up a little Bucks-adjacent story or two. More importantly, based on the wonderful suggestion of resident MMMR partner retired janitor, I’ll be rolling out the first of our “question(s) of the week” segment in lieu of the beloved “Know Your Enemy” section.

Intrigued? You should be!

Let’s roundup!

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Run The League In The Past 3 Years: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard Aren’t Even Close (Fadeaway World)

Milwaukee’s title was validating for a lot of different groups, but what might be sweetest is how definitively it will change Giannis’s long-term legacy and, hopefully, short-term perception among league watchers. The two MVP seasons were dazzling and would have guaranteed his place in the annals of NBA history, but without a ring the naysayers could always deny him ultimate validation. Now, with a shiny trophy in tow, the past three seasons look all the more glowing for the accolades he’s racked up and production he’s rolled out. Will this be the start of the Giannis Era in league history where the LeBrons/KDs/Currys of the world phase out and Antetokounmpo really cements himself on top?

Giannis Antetokounmpo surprises Greek fans on the streets with the championship trophy & Impressive portrait of Giannis Antetokounmpo made from thousands of Lego bricks (Greek City Times)

I can never recall whether the Greek City Times has been on the MMMR, and I also struggle to determine if it is a legitimate news site. And then you see a Lego masterpiece getting front page coverage and your doubts and worries wash away.

Hall of Famer Ray Allen takes basketball coaching job at Miami prep school (ESPN)

I’m not implying that this is the first step on Ray’s path to eventually taking the reins in Milwaukee a decade or two down the line... but I’m not not implying that, either.

NBA free agents: Team-by-team lists for 2022 and 2023 (ESPN)

Always helpful to have a quick guide on who is going to be heading into free agency when, especially with the Bucks having to constantly retool around the Khris/Jrue/Giannis deals.

2022 looks like chaos for Milwaukee, with Pat Connaughton’s player option decision, Donte/Grayson Allen/Jordan Nwora/Sandro Mamukelashivili all entering restricted free agency, and having to thread the Bobby Portis re-payment needle with is early bird rights. I’m sure Jon Horst has a plan, though. He always has a plan.

Fan Post of the Week

Ham Slamwich (aka actually Darvin Ham who I'm sure peruses the site; hi Darvin!) beat me to the question punch with “Doldrum Series: Top 15 Alphas”. In fact, I’m a little mad I didn't think of “Doldrum Series” first. What an excellent name for the segment!

Question of the Week

Well, okay, so this isn’t as abstract as Ham Slamwich’s, but after a year in which I had to simply accept that Giannis wouldn’t be in the MVP discussion, I believe the horizon of possibility is reset by his winning a ring. So, this week’s question (which you can ignore, if desired):

• What do you think it will take for Giannis to win the 2021-2022 MVP award?

For a list of other potential candidates per Vegas, here are some odds I found:

Last year he managed to average 28.1 points (.569/.303/.685), 11.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 61 games on a 46-26 team, all of which fall just a little below his totals for the 2019-2020 campaign. Compare that to last year’s MVP, Nikola Jokic: He played in all 72 games for the 47-25 Nuggets (2nd in the West) and averaged 26.4 points (.566/.388/.868), 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. Jokic was helped by there being no other no-doubt MVP candidates and had built up an impressive resume in the years prior.

Giannis will be hurt this coming year by the probably need to continue to manage his workload and that Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton will be another year more used to working in conjunction with their star. Given all that, do you think there is a secret statistical output formula he’ll have to hit? Will it depend on how high up the standings Milwaukee can go? Is this even a proper question for this segment? Let us know in the comments!

The Social Media Section

Curtis Miller, go on the Brew Hoop Pod

Giannis informing Yelich that he’s taking his spot in the lineup from now on

Sure

Shot...

...chaser

Veronica styling and STILL rocking Bucks gear around the globe

Semi “Muscles Jesus” Ojeleye strikes again

First NBA jersey swap in the books

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So uh... see you guys here next week? I believe Kyle said we have intentions of putting up a post for a podcast mail bag (yes, we are lazy), so please come prepared with things for us to discuss. Otherwise...

Happy Monday!