Episode 217: Season Preview Series with Eric Balkman

After a brutal 45-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, Jackson and Finn are ready to pull the plug on Doc Rivers as head coach. From the frustrations of how Doc runs the team, the inability to get the most out of his players, and the seeming lack of accountability, they break down why Rivers shouldn't be commanding this sinking ship. There was also plenty of trade news about the Bucks, so Jackson and Finn broke down the latest news and what potential deals would look like for the players the Bucks have already been linked too. Finn's Badger Bites returns with a fantastic sushi place, while Jackson combines his football roundup with a future build on the way.

It was an eventful week for the Milwaukee Bucks, and the duo of Jack and Jackson is here to break it down. From an unacceptable loss to the Wizards, a comeback win without Giannis, and two let-down losses, all under the backdrop of intensifying trade rumors around Giannis. They also analyze the maddening lack of use of Myles Turner and Doc Rivers’ center rotations, and why, among other reasons, he should be fired. To end off the pod, Jack brings two more Aussie slang words to the table, while Jackson switches it up and breaks down the current state of the Chicago Bears after their heartbreaking loss to the Green Bay Packers.

It was a rough week for the Milwaukee Bucks, but Kyle, Jack, and Van at least found a positive as the Bucks ended the week with a win. They discuss what the Bucks can do to improve their rebounding. How much the personnel and rotations can be tweaked, and with the return of Kevin Porter Jr., where does that leave Ryan Rollins and Cole Anthony?Then Jack teaches some Aussie Slang, Kyle highlights the most recent season of the Great British Baking Show, and Van takes us to the UK Punk Rock scene in the 80s, talking about The Stranglers. Golden Brown by The Stranglers: https://open.spotify.com/track/5GpfyJrKHJI36jDKtQiyGN?si=19b732ff17e34063

It’s been a tough road for the Milwaukee Bucks in the first two and a half games without Giannis Antetokounmpo; they’re 0-3 and sit at 8-9. In the latest edition of Deer Diaries, Jackson and Jack break down the struggles the Bucks have been having, including the lack of involvement on offense from Myles Turner, the rough play of Cole Anthony, and the pressure that’s been placed on Ryan Rollins. The two answer the question of whether the Bucks should be involved in getting one of the two bigger players in the reported Sacramento Kings sell-off: Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan. Before the end of the show, Jack debuts his new segment called "What's that Aussie Slang?" while Jackson shows his second Lego set he had to rebuild.

It was an up-and-down week for the Milwaukee Bucks, where they went 2-2 with two of them being the second game of a back-to-back. Jackson, Jack, and Morgan discuss the issues on both sides of the ball, which area the Bucks should focus on the most, and the confusing rotations that Doc Rivers has been implementing. Morgan then talks about his trip to Utah and the national parks he hiked through with his Dad. Jack and Jackson throw out a few curveballs with their segments, with Jackson showing a Lego Build he had to remake and Jack bringing up a grammar debate about coach’s challenge or coaches challenge in the NBL.

After a 2-2 week, which could have been 3-1 or 1-3, Kyle and Jack go through the Bucks' week that saw a game-winner, a fourth quarter collapse, and everything in between. They discuss Milwaukee's late-game offensive plan and identity, and how sustainable it is. They also question the defensive assignments some players have and whether that's the best option for the team. With an underrated showing this season, is the Kyle Kuzma rehabilitation project going well? What could throw a wrench into those plans, such as playing him at the 3? Then Jack gives his updates on the 36ers, and then they discuss season 2 of the Netflix rom-com "Nobody Wants This"

Kyle, Jackson, and Jack are here to discuss the Bucks' accomplishment of another 2-1 week. They talk about the great week that Ryan Rollins had, setting a career high in points twice, including a 32-point showing in Giannis Antetokounmpo's absence. Then they discuss the Bucks' offense and the ebbs and flows of a three-point shooting-reliant team, along with the ball sometimes getting in the way of the offense, as seen against the Kings. They then touch on the disaster of a refereeing job that happened in the Kings game and give props to Kyle Kuzma (yes, that happened) while highlighting the defensive flaws on the perimeter.Then, during the miscellaneous topics, Jack recaps a week of Australian basketball, Jackson recommends a LEGO set gift, and Kyle explains the messy season of Love Is Blind.

The first three regular-season games have come and gone for the Milwaukee Bucks, sitting at a 2-1 record. Jackson and Jack bring on writer Finn Kuehl to break down the Bucks' wins over the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors, as well as their lone loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The trio discusses the greatness of Giannis, how Myles Turner is fitting himself into the team, and the frustrating play of big man Bobby Portis.If you’re a fan of our miscellaneous segments, we have three on tap for you! Finn debuts his Badger Bites, while Jack tells us of the Adelaide 36ers’ surprise signing of Bryce Cotton and what it means for them. While he doesn’t have a Lego set on hand, Jackson tells you some to look out for as the Holiday season approaches.

For the last edition of the season preview series, Kyle made sure to have a reunion with former Deer Diaries co-hosts Riley Feldmann and Adam Paris. While discussing the potential opening and closing lineups, the group come to terms that Kyle Kuzma might be the most important Buck role player on the team. They wonder if this will be Giannis' last season as a Buck and plan to enjoy the time they have before Riley reviews a fountain pen(cil) to wrap things up.

In the final instalment of our season preview series, Jackson sits down with Eric Balkman, sports radio host for The Score Wisconsin on 95.3 in Appleton and 99.1 in Oshkosh. The two predict who will make the final 15-man roster, how much Myles Turner has embraced the city of Milwaukee and its culture, and where they see the team nine days before the season begins against the Washington Wizards. After all of that, if you’re looking for some fantasy football insights, we debut Balky's Beard of Fantasy Football Wisdom!