By Adam Roberts – 7/21/2021

In 2013, a skinny kid from Greece was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Draft. That kid was a relative unknown even withing knowledgeable basketball circles, and few expected him to turn into a force to be reckoned with in the league. In fact, even the local market struggled to pronounce his last name. I know that as a college kid passively following the Bucks at the time, I had never heard of a guy named, erm, Yee-ah-nus Ahn-teh-tuh-ku-noom-pouo? Gee-ah-nis Ah-te-kuh-num-poh?

Eight years later, Giannis Antetokoumnpo has etched his name into the long and storied history of Wisconsin sports legends with another piece of hardware to add to a growing list of accolades.

The Bucks are NBA champions for the first time in 50 years after beating the Suns 105-98 in Game Six of the NBA Finals in Milwaukee. Giannis went off for 50 points and 14 rebounds, earning NBA Finals MVP honors. The Greek Freak is just the seventh player all-time to score 50 or more in the Finals. The Bucks also become just the fifth team to win a title after trailing 2-0 in the Finals. It’s just their second championship and first since 1971. Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday were each double figure scorers, and while they didn’t explode in the points column they were contributors in other ways and Middleton DID have a clutch shot late. Holiday also defended well again against Devin Booker and had 11 assists and nine rebounds to go with his 12 points. Bobby Portis also continued his rise to the status of folk hero with 16 points off the bench.

It was also a historic evening outside the arena last night. More than 65-thousand fans crowded into the Deer District, and the whole area erupted in celebration when the Bucks won it. Milwaukee asked for, and the governor gave them, 150 National Guard troops to help direct traffic and manage the crowds. There were lots of reports of celebrations, but no reports of any damage or rioting.

However, three people are recovering after being shot around North Water Street downtown during the celebration. A suspect is under arrest after a 22-year-old man was wounded in one shooting overnight as thousands of fans poured into the streets to celebrate the Bucks’ 105-98 win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Authorities say two other people were wounded in another incident at the exact same time. No arrests yet in that case. Police say they are looking into the circumstances around both shootings.

As for the victory parade in Milwaukee, team president Peter Feigin did say this week on The Wendy’s Big Show the plan is to celebrate both this year’s champions and the 1971 Bucks champs, who were never truly given any kind of celebration by the city when they swept the Baltimore Bullets. Feigin also told WTMJ in Milwaukee the parade is being planned for Thursday.

In any case, the real story today should be the path this team has taken over the last fifty years to get to this point. From falling off the top the world after Kareem goes to LA, to getting close but never to the top in the 1980s. From struggling through the 90s and then once again getting close but not quite there in 2001. From the dark years of mediocrity last decade and the 15 win season in 2013-14. From dealing with the real threat of relocation before Fiserv could be secured and another bout of close but no cigar over the last few years. To now, on July 21st, 2021, where the Bucks sit atop a league where many never gave them a chance. A league where many expected their superstar to bolt and join a super team to get a ring.

To quote Bucks play-by-play announcer Ted Davis: “Wisconsin, we’ve got a room at the top of the world tonight!” Somewhere this morning, Brandon Jennings is smiling as he overlooks the Milwaukee skyline and says quietly to himself…

“Bucks In Six”

By Adam Roberts – 7/202021

The Mitch Olson era has begun at Central High School.

Olson was named the Riverhawks’ newest head football coach this morning by athletic director Mark Ambrose. He takes over for Tony Servais, the school’s new dean of students.

But it shouldn’t be too difficult of a transition; Olson served as the Riverhawks’ defensive coordinator last season, his sixth with the program. On the offensive side of the ball, Olson will also inherit senior quarterback Mason Herlitzke, a running back in 2019 that in his first season as quarterback last spring threw for 803 yards, nine touchdowns, and completed 62% of his passes in six games played. Herlitzke has attracted some attention from recruiters at the D2, D3, and NAIA levels and is Wissports.net’s 11th ranked quarterback of the senior class.

The Riverhawks open the season at Roger Harring Stadium August 19th against Eau Claire North.

By Adam Roberts – 7/19/2021

Speaking as someone who has partaken in the fun of the Deer District this postseason, I can say wholeheartedly the experience was worth the 3.5 hour drive there and the 2.75 hour drive back early the following morning to work. Having remembered the days of nosebleed seats at the Bradley Center and top athletes from other teams being the main draw only for them to sit out Bucks’ games, the complete 180 from those days that has built up over the last few years has been remarkable to see.

Now combine the ludicrous prices for tickets to tomorrow night’s Game Six of the NBA Finals plus the prospect of a historic opportunity for the home team, and that area will be rocking on a whole ‘nother level tomorrow night. So much so that more space will be needed to accommodate the insanity.

Bucks team president Peter Feigin was on WSSP 1250 The Fan in Milwaukee today saying the Deer District will be expanding for tomorrow night’s game. To quote Wendy’s Big Show executive producer Dan Plocher’s tweet today: “The Deer District will expand another 5 acres to accommodate for another 15,000 people. We are forging new ground for an excess of 40,000-50,000 people.”

Now when I was there, the Bucks had just expanded the district to the south side of Fiserv where the Bradley Center used to stand, and it was about 50% full for Game Three. I don’t know where the extra space will come from, but it should be a welcome sign for anybody who can’t afford to shell out four figures for a top-of-the-arena seat (though I’ve sat in those seats in Fiserv, and it really is true that there isn’t a bad seat in the house).

Also don’t forget, our coverage tomorrow night from Milwaukee begins at 7pm on ESPN La Crosse 105.5 and espnlacrosse.com!

By Adam Roberts – 7/19/2021

The challenge for the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night: go into a raucous Footprint Center and win on the road against a Suns team that had won two previous home games in the NBA Finals fairly decidedly.

The response from the Bucks: 32, 9, and 6 from Giannis, 29, 7, and 5 from Khris Middleton, and 27, 4, and 13 from Jrue Holiday. Also, Pat Connaughton had four big threes and a +10 plus/minus.

The highlight: A Holiday rip-away steal and subsequent and-1 lob to Giannis on the other end.

The result: A 123-119 Milwaukee win that puts them on the doorstep of their first championship since 1971.

It wasn’t easy to say the least; Phoenix was electric from long range shooting a whopping 68.4 percent from three. Devin Booker was also spectacular once again with another 40 point performance. But after Chris Paul made a layup to bring the game within one for the Suns, Booker had a chance to take the lead late and was immediately met by the Bucks defense, resulting in the critical turnover to Holiday.

So now the series moves back to Milwaukee, where another roaring Deer District and Fiserv Forum will hope to witness history. Coverage begins at 7pm tomorrow evening on ESPN La Crosse 105.5 and espnlacrosse.com!

By Adam Roberts – 7/16/2021

The Packers won’t be heading overseas this year, and won’t have to give up a possible home game for an overseas contest until either 2022 or 2024. But the NFL does have details for how international games will work starting this season.

The NFL says each team will play at least one international game every eight years. That will start next year and more places around the globe will be added to the current rotation. The league says that includes holding games in Canada and South America. More European cities will be added as well.

This year’s games in London will feature the Atlanta Falcons facing off against the New York Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars going up against the Miami Dolphins. With the addition of 17 games this year, teams that are scheduled to host nine of those 17 will be subject to having a home game played overseas. That won’t happen to the Packers until at least 2022. To date, the Packers are the only team that hasn’t played overseas at all, let along giving up a home game. Much of the resistance has been over how much the revenue from game day impacts a smaller community like Green Bay compared to larger markets.

Meanwhile, training camp is coming up soon and the team is no further along to our knowledge with their quarterback than at any other point this offseason. Camp opens up July 28th in Green Bay, and will also include the return of Family Night August 7th.