‘Milwaukee Won Because of Jrue Holiday’: Legendary Coach Gives Bold Take on Bucks’ Championship Triumph

In every NBA season, there are basically two kinds of franchises on the show. One, those which are aiming for a championship win at all costs. Two, those which are settling for a long-term vision for a rebuilding of their entire roster. The Milwaukee Bucks, just like the other units in the Brooklyn Nets and Lakers, fell in the latter category in the previous season.

The teams like Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic are some of the teams that are currently focusing on the rebuild. But does this mean that a team focusing on the drafts, like the GSW, can not make it big? Perhaps there are exceptions too.

George Karl and his bold claim about Milwaukee Bucks and the winning mindset

George Karl did not enjoy a very convincing NBA career as a player, but he surely had a ball as a head coach. He coached six teams over a crazy span of three decades and spent five seasons in Milwaukee too. 

In a recent interview, coach Karl detailed his opinion on the Bucks’ stunning success. The 70-YO expressed, “Milwaukee won because of Jrue Holiday acquisition. We needed that to cover Chris Paul, take a player that most of the playoffs dominated… When a team houses enough talent to win a championship, the draft doesn’t matter. Developing young players don’t matter.” 

The Bucks played a masterstroke last year as they traded Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, and future drafts in a four-team deal. In return, they received a star 2-way player in Jrue Holiday and that changed their fate.

Jul 17, 2021; Chris Paul passes the ball against Jrue Holiday during game five of the 2021 NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Read more – Jrue Holiday Charity: What is the Jrue and Lauren Fund?

What should the teams aiming for the title do?

Well, something that the Bucks are currently doing can work as a blueprint for other organizations. Marc Lasry was quick to understand Jrue’s worth when they signed the star guard for a whopping $135 million into a 4-year extension. The bonuses can add up to give the rising talent a crazy $160 million. The same Bucks franchise had previously signed Giannis Antetokounmpo for a super max extension, knowing that Khris Middleton is here to stay. This way, they now have a sturdy core that can give them more title-winning opportunities.

“If you want to win an NBA Championship, you got to go over the luxury tax”

Longtime NBA Head Coach @CoachKarl22 tells @talkhoops, @DarthAmin, & @HowardBeck what the key was for the Bucks to capture their first championship since 1971 #FearTheDeer #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/ptpEVpYlFZ

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 23, 2021

Just as coach Karl added, “What you need at that moment is what takes you over the top. So few organizations make that decision. So few ownerships want to go into the luxury tax. So if you want to win an NBA Championship, you got to go over the luxury tax.”

So what do you say, is this a better strategy than attracting top 3 picks and building a shiny future? Because notably, that’s what the Bucks did with Giannis and that’s what the Warriors did with the Splash Brothers (or now with James Wiseman). Help us know your views in the comments below.

Watch this story – Rarely Known Facts about Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo

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