Milwaukee Bucks Point Forward Podcast

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe take a look at the recent Bucks showings; how close are they to the Lakers and to elite status? What did we learn from the close losses to Brooklyn and L.A.? Is Giannis no longer the clear go-to threat for clutch offense or defense? Is Torrey Craig going to finally get some minutes?  Music intro produced by Olivia Reiner and voiced by Michell...

The rebranded Point Forward Podcast, featuring Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writer Jim Owczarski and host JR Radcliffe, takes a look at how the Eastern Conference picture changes with James Harden joining the Nets. Is Giannis Antetokounmpo on his game so far? Has coach Mike Budenholzer evolved in his approach? Does Jim think the NBA could see a stoppage at some point because of COVID?

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarksi and host JR Radcliffe discuss the Bucks' offensive breakout, the disappearing role of DJ Wilson and the fire of Bobby Portis and Thanasis Antetkounmpo. Plus, the guys take a look at Milwaukee's act of protest in the aftermath of the DA's decision to not file charges against the police officers involved in the shooting of Jacob Blake. They speculate: Could a bigger...

Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the Milwaukee Bucks' ugly start to the year. We said it might be tought sledding early! Is it fair to say Giannis is struggling? Is there anybody to take the reins if Jrue Holiday struggles? Khris Middleton is en fuego. Should we already be nervous about the Pat Connaughton contract? Wait, did the Bucks really lose by 20 to the K...

Just like that, the 2020-21 Milwaukee Bucks season is upon us. Bucks beat reporter Jim Owczarski joins host JR Radcliffe to look at what's ahead. Which newcomer aside from Jrue Holiday will have the biggest impact? Is Mike Budenholzer really on the hot seat? Can Giannis somehow win a third straight MVP? Will Donte DiVincenzo take a lunge forward? Over/under 55 wins? Who wins the East? Music intro:...

Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a five-year "supermax" extension to stay in Milwaukee on Tuesday, which was music to the ears of Bucks fans. Journal Sentinel Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski joins host JR Radcliffe to talk about the deal. Plus: some early impressions after two preseason games with the regular season a week away, and get to know Owczarski as the new man on the Bucks beat. Music intro: "Wi...

We're officially on Giannis Watch as he returns to Milwaukee with the Supermax Extension looming over everything. It's our final podcast with Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez, who's relocating to Indianapolis. He offers some fearless predictions for what's ahead in Milwaukee.

Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez and host JR Radcliffe discuss the many eccentricities of the reported Bogdan Bogdanovic deal that fell through. Will there be consequences for the Bucks? Is the league making too harsh an example of Milwaukee? Why would anyone leak that information anyway? Eventually, the guys do discuss the changes the Bucks actually did make to their roster, including the repor...

The Bucks made some huge splashes late Monday, reportedly trading for Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanovic to create a stellar starting five. Does it mean Giannis is destined to sign his Supermax extension, perhaps as soon as Nov. 22? How big of a risk was surrendering as many as five first-round draft picks in the exchange for Holiday? Who's gonna fill out the rest of the roster now that so many ol...

How does a Bucks team up against the salary cap improve, especially as it seeks to convince star Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign an extension? Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez looks at the Bucks' offseason options, potential trade assets and areas the Bucks might be willing to take a step back so they can take a step forward elsewhere. Does Matt expect Eric Bledsoe back at the point next year? Qui...

Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez and host JR Radcliffe provide a post-mortem on the 2019-20 Bucks season, one ended in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Was there something different about Giannis' comments after the loss that reassure he's staying long-term in Milwaukee (3:30)? Was the criticism of Mike Budenholzer warranted, and would the Bucks actually be willing to move on at head coach (8:...

The Bucks took care of the Orlando Magic with a convincing Game 5 win, but the real story was the team sitting out its scheduled game Wednesday, a maneuver that ignited a wave of mini strikes for social justice around the sports world. Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez and host JR Radcliffe look back at the Orlando series (Marvin Williams!) and again preview what's to come with Miami (14:00). The...

Milwaukee Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez and host JR Radcliffe discuss Milwaukee's swift turnaround from a Game 1 loss to three straight wins in the Eastern Conference opening round. They take a look at Khris Middleton's Game 4 resurrection, explore a potential next opponent in the Miami Heat and briefly ponder whether Indiana or Philadelphia can return to the fray next season (plus, look back...

The Milwaukee Bucks struggled mightily in their first playoff game a 122-110 upset at the hands of the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic. Is it as bad as it seems? Was it actually a question of effort? How grave is the overall concern, and what tweaks must Milwaukee make to turn away the upset over the course of the series? Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the unusua...

Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the potential fallout after Giannis Antetokounmpo's headbutt of Mo Wagner in Tuesday's game against the Wizards. Where's Matt's concern level with the way the Bucks have played so far? What do we know about the Orlando Magic, the team that will be Milwaukee's first-round playoff foe? Is Brook Lopez really better when he's near h...

The Milwaukee Bucks started with two losses in three games in the Orlando bubble, but of course, that required some explanation. Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the team, three games into the resumption of the NBA season. How seriously should we consider red flags raised by allowing 73 points in a half to Brooklyn? What's up with the turnovers and shaky defens...

Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez and host JR Radcliffe look back at the Milwaukee Bucks' three scrimmages in the Orlando bubble and preview what's to come, starting Friday with Boston. Matt also discusses his postseason awards votes, plus conversation about Eric Bledsoe, Pat Connaughton and Magic Wings.

Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez and host JR Radcliffe discuss the implications of no Eric Bledsoe or Pat Connaughton, at least in the short term, as the Bucks prepare for Thursday's scrimmage and a July 31 restart. With the window for NBA awards voting now cemented to everything before the shutdown, is a second MVP for Giannis Antetokounmpo secure? How do the refashioned rosters impact a potent...

The Milwaukee Bucks are in Orlando and ready to return to basketball. Beat reporter Matt Velazquez joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss what we need to know. How concerning is the closure of the Bucks practice facility after a positive COVID-19 test? What are the odds this season gets to completion? What basketball-specific story lines remain intriguing? How will the eight-game 'season' impact the B...

Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez looks at the plan to restart the NBA season in Orlando, how the format impacts the Bucks and what comes next. Even with basketball on the horizon and the virus still in play, Bucks players were joining marches in Milwaukee to protest racial injustice. And Giannis made a comment that could shed light on his future with the Bucks. Can we squash those insane Golden...

After a long hiatus, Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez and host JR Radcliffe are back to discuss the potential return of the 2019-20 NBA season and which scenarios for return would most favor the Bucks. What would a group stage concept potentially look like? Will this feel anything like an actual title if the Bucks get a chance to win the championship?

Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez and host JR Radcliffe ponder some the logistics surrounding the return of basketball. Are the Bucks about to be basketball's version of the 1994 Expos? Will Mike Budenholzer repeat as Coach of the Year now (since we're pretty sure Giannis is gonna repeat as MVP). We then test Matt's knowledge of past Bucks teams, given that he was once a contestant on the game sh...

Host JR Radcliffe and Journal Sentinel beat reporter Matt Velazquez discuss a newsy stretch of basketball for the Milwaukee Bucks, from the injury to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the renewal of the MVP debate to three straight losses. Including one game for bench-only players? What was that about? Should the Bucks be expected to win a first-round playoff series without Giannis? Matt spends a lot of t...

Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez and host JR Radcliffe discuss Milwaukee's most recent loss to the Miami Heat, a setback that now has some people viewing Miami as a potential Bucks-stopper in the playoffs. And is Giannis still the clear-cut MVP after a groundswell of support for LeBron James? Plus: James Harden isn't a big Giannis fan and Malcolm Brogdon is back in Milwaukee ... we're not talkin...

Was that the best Milwaukee Bucks stretch of the season, with wins over Philadelphia, Washington and Toronto? Bucks beat reporter Matt Velazquez and host JR Radcliffe discuss Milwaukee's recent play, including Giannis bouncing back in an unusual way. Did the Bucks know adding Robin Lopez would create a defensive powerhouse? Plus: Chase Buford's amazing postgame rant.