Milwaukee Bucks Point Forward Podcast

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? Hav...

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 forwa...

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 as a...

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? Plus,...

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 lo...

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 imminen...

Columnist Lori Nickel and beat writer Jim Owczarski examine the Bucks' playoff roster depth, their "invisible" starter and Giannis Antetokounmpo's vision. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski. Music during segments from SoundCloud, "Pursuit Music Logo."

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 histor...

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 nagg...

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 flag...

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 tra...

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. Are...

 Journal Sentinel columnist Lori Nickel fills in for J.R. Radcliffe and Nickel and Bucks beat writer Jim Owczarski break down the latest on Giannis Antetokounmpo, who suffered in a right wrist injury in the Milwaukee Bucks' last game before the NBA all-star break, and while he participated in the weekend he is heading further testing. They also recap the entire all-star weekend and talk about Milw...

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 ahead....

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. Music in...

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 th...

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 about...

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 better...

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 ke...

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 his s...

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 back...

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 moment...

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 Mar...

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 seque...

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 her...