Milwaukee Bucks Point Forward Podcast

The lopsided loss to an Atlanta team missing its best player was bad enough. But an injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo has cast a pall over the rest of Milwaukee's playoff future, and perhaps beyond? Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and podcast host JR Radcliffe ask the main question everyone will ask Wednesday morning: Can the Bucks still win the series without their best player? What happened to t...

The Bucks are up 2-1 and Hawks star Trae Young is fighting an ankle injury; it feels very, very good to be a Bucks fan right now. Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe break it down. If Atlanta were to get back into it, how would they do it? Khris Middleton's signature performance. Bobby Portis winning the heart of Milwaukee. Pat Connaughton big off the bench. Giannis being otherworld...

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writer Jim Owczarksi and host JR Radcliffe take a look at the Eastern Conference finals matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. Do the Hawks have the horses to keep up with the Bucks? Could this be a Jrue Holiday bounce back? How does a team slow down Trae Young? Let's take one last look at the Bogdan Bogdanovic situation and how a preseason deal for the shooter might have falle...

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe look at a remarkable series win over the Nets, including all the elements of the overtime win in Game 7. The excellence of Durant and Giannis, the way a Bogdan Bogdanovic trade might have precluded bringing in P.J. Tucker, the struggles (but some redemption) of Jrue Holiday, the status of Mike Budenholzer's hot seat, the tightening of the rot...

The Milwaukee Bucks have surged back to tie the series with the Nets at 2-2 following a win Sunday. If Kyrie Irving and James Harden remain sidelined by injuries, are the Bucks now the favorite to win? Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss big game PJ Tucker, Pat Connaughton, the adjustments from Game 3's rock fight, Jrue Holiday trying to break free from a slump and ... there...

The Milwaukee Bucks were knocked around in the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals in Brooklyn; as they head back to Fiserv Forum, can we cling to any shreds of hope? Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe look at what went wrong, examine the most optimistic and pessimistic takes, and ponder the future of coach Mike Budenholzer if this keeps heading where it seems...

Bucks radio voice Ted Davis and host JR Radcliffe look back at the 2001 Bucks playoff run 20 years later, just as this year's team looks to make a similar run. Ted talks about the lighthearted moment that played into a season turnaround, the forgotten thrills of the Hornets series, Glenn Robinson's Bucks legacy, the star turn of Ray Allen and, yes, the "conspiracy" that still lingers over the East...

The Milwaukee Bucks crushed defending Eastern Conference champion Miami in a four-game sweep, so does that mean we should start thinking of them differently in their upcoming (potential) matchup with Brookyln? Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe look back at the key differences between this battle and what happened in the dreaded bubble, the significance of losing starter Donte...

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe look at Milwaukee's fast start in the Miami series; is it as promising as it looks, or does danger remain around the corner? After all, we remember what happened when the Bucks got a 2-0 lead on Toronto two years ago. How in the world did the Bucks go from missing everything in Game 1 to making everything in Game 2? Why have Jimmy Butler and...

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarzski and host JR Radcliffe preview the Milwaukee Bucks' playoff series against the Heat. Why would this year be different given that the Heat have the same players (and talents) as the team that beat Milwaukee last year? Will Milwaukee regret the decision to play all-out against the Heat in the penultimate game of the season? The guys talk about their picks to win the...

Host JR Radcliffe and special guest Eric Nehm of The Athletic chat about the potential first-round playoff opponents and which one represents the scariest. I mean, it's gotta be the Heat, right? Or is it? What pitfalls to the Knicks or Hawks present? Also, what's up with Milwaukee allowing big point totals to lesser teams? Then, Journal Sentinel beat reporter Jim Owczarski stops by briefly to talk...

Sure, the Milwaukee Bucks have beaten the Nets and 76ers in recent days, but what about that brutal loss to Houston? And how nervous should we be about Giannis Antetokounmpo's shaky ankle? Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe take a look at the Bucks with eight games left to play, including a flashy rematch against Brooklyn as a potential playoff preview. Might the Bucks see the...

The former voice of the Milwaukee Bucks, Eddie Doucette, joins host JR Radcliffe to look back at the 1971 Milwaukee Bucks. The man who coined 'skyhook' and 'Bango' had a front-row seat to the franchise's first and only championship. How did the Bucks go from expansion draft to NBA title in three years? What was it like playing many home games, including playoff battles, in Madison? Did someone rea...

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Milwaukee Bucks' one and only championship in 1971, travel back in time with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Lori Nickel to learn what Milwaukee was like in the late 60s, when a new pro basketball team came to town and quickly took over the NBA.

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe look at where the Bucks stand after five straight home losses, including an overtime loss against the Suns hampered by a controversial late call. Once again, they ask if this team has shown it can win seven-game series in the playoffs, even with injuries frequently keeping the team from full strength. We hear what Jon Horst had to say on coac...

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters Jim Owczarski and JR Radcliffe discuss the lingering injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo, talk about the team's strategy of resting everyone at once and check in on a player having a pretty good season: Pat Connaughton. Is it possible the Bucks don't particularly care if they get the No. 1 seed in the playoffs? Then, Jim chats with former Bucks power forward Scott...

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Bucks writer Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss where the concern-o-meter should be with Giannis Antetokounmpo's balky knee and Jrue Holiday's massive week. He's on an elite level right now; is the extension he just signed with the Bucks a risk down the road? Also, Khris Middleton has been a bit of a lightning rod, but is it warranted? Then, Jim chats with forme...

The Milwaukee Bucks added a guard to the roster with the addition of Jeff Teague and split a couple games in Los Angeles. Milwaukee Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski offers his impressions of a team looking to dig out of a mini-slump and how the situation shapes up in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. Plus, The Thanasis Game and a check-in on the MVP discussion. Music intro produced by Olivia...

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the trade deadline; did the Bucks' biggest competitors in the Eastern Conference get better? Milwaukee stood pat, but recent new acquisition P.J. Tucker has looked great. Milwaukee held off a furious Celtics comeback for a win to run its winning streak to eight games, and does it feel like the Bucks are playing at the peak of their po...

After the Bucks' thrilling win in Philadelphia, Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the tension between the two teams in light of some Giannis celebration, the weird final seconds of regulation, the value of the big win and the significant pregame trade that brought PJ Tucker to Milwaukee. How will Jim describe the Torrey Craig era in Milwaukee? Plus, plenty of MVP conv...

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe re-visit a big all-star weekend for Giannis Antetokounmpo and discuss what about the performance might be a great sign for Milwaukee. Plus, discussing Jim's midseason awards, looking ahead to the second half and wondering about Marques Johnson's Hall of Fame chances. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski.

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the return of Jrue Holiday, the continued inspired play of Giannis Antetokounmpo, a fun win over the Clippers, a tough loss to the Nuggets and the recent play of Brook Lopez. Oh, and yes, lots of Mamadi Diakite. Then, Jim and JR discuss if any Bucks player is likely to see their jersey retired before Giannis. Big Dog? Ray Allen? Jack...

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the Bucks as they continue to wait for Jrue Holiday's return. Why is the team struggling so badly without its No. 3 player, and what should we expect now that he can sign an extension? Some thoughts on the All-Star Game (including Khris Middleton's absence from the East) and what's fueling the Giannis turnaround? Music intro produced...

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe discuss the recent up-and-down stretch of Milwaukee Bucks basketball as a lengthy homestand dawns. Jim offers three reasons why Bucks fans should still feel confident that the Bucks can hit another gear and three reasons to be concerned. Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michelle Rutkowski.

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarksi and host JR Radcliffe discuss an interesting stretch for the Milwaukee Bucks, with two disheartening losses followed by two superb blowout wins. Which components of those games are sustainable, and which are legitimate concerns? When is it no longer "early" for the Bucks? If the bench scoring is such a key to Bucks wins, will they be vulnerable in the postseason?...