After being beaten to death at the foul line in Game 1, the Milwaukee Bucks were picked apart at the three-point line in Game 2 of the 2021 NBA Finals, allowing 20 three-pointers in 40 attempts to Devin Booker, Chris Paul and company.
In addition to playing a team whose starters are at least at full strength, is coach Mike Budenholzer losing a chess match to Phoenix Suns counterpart Monty Williams?
"I am not really into trying to coach those guys, I am trying to beat them," Suns power forward Jae Crowder said, who has experience with teams schooling the Bucks as a member of the Miami Heat last year.
The Bucks deserve credit in reaching the Finals, although part of the reason in emerging victorious was injuries to key players on opposing teams (James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Trae Young).
But the bar is rightfully set on winning the NBA title with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton in their career primes, bowing out gracefully in the NBA Finals would still be considered a disappointment.
Many of these facts were brought out in Chris Haynes Yahoo Sports column. Haynes went as far to say that changes might be in order in Milwaukee should the Bucks not rebound from their latest 2-0 series deficit.
A head coach cannot correct Jrue Holiday's current shooting slump or even Antetokounmpo's ongoing free throw drama - but throughout the playoffs coaching and making adjustments has also appear to be part of the equation.
It sounds harsh, but NBA title-winning windows are short and a Halley's Comet event. Needless to say, the season will be on the line in Game 3 in Milwaukee.