NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: HAWKS VS. BUCKS

July 1, 2021

Mike Budenholzer

Milwaukee Bucks

Game 5: Pregame

Q. Who are you starting tonight?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: We'll decide between now and tip.

Q. Game 5 against the Nets, Khris played 45 minutes. Is that something that you can do with guys like Khris and Jriue tonight with such a short rotation and all the injuries that you have?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: Yeah, you know, I think Khris has an ability, Jrue both have an ability, I think to take a heavy load and play big minutes. Sometimes you've got to feel it out, see how the game is going, just the rhythm of the game, the pace of the game, things like that. But you know, I think fortunately they are both the type of players that have done it, I think their body has hopefully actually built up some kind of preparedness for it.

Q. Bryn [Forbes] got loose against the Heat and struggled a little bit more to have another big night. What can you do to get him going and get him some open shots?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: I think when we are playing basketball, when it's moving a little bit, we are playing fast, maybe some off-ball screens and things like that, get to the paint, kick outs, offensive rebounds, kick outs. I think it's got to -- I think if we force it to him too much, it hasn't been good. It has to be a balance of just letting it happen and playing in space and getting penetration, a swing/swing type pass and all those other ways and maybe free him up and get some screens for him, too, a little bit of both.

Q. You ruled Giannis out pretty fast today, which as media members, we appreciate the time and manner that happened.

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: That's why we did it.

Q. I'm sure you did. Was he able to do anything today at shootaround?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: He did stuff in the weight room, kind of the sports performance area, training area but he didn't come on the court with us this morning.

Q. We all know he doesn't have any structural damage, but the hyperextension looked pretty nasty. Do you think he'll be able to play again this series?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: I thought we were done, just because we let it out early, I thought we wouldn't get that question.

We'll update when it's appropriate. He has a great mindset. He's putting his time and effort in. We'll update you guys, and I guess I'll be updated as things progress. I think either way, there's nothing more to add at this point.

Q. So after you spoke last game, Jrue, P.J. and Khris all talked about the desperation Atlanta played with; Jrue again talked about rebounding and energy. So what is, I guess, not like there's flipping of tables going on before games but when the guys talk like that, is there -- can you look back and find a cause or a reason for slow starts?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: I would stop short of saying it is what it is, but there’s routines and things we kind of do on a nightly basis when we come out and play well and do all those things, it's usually the same types of routines, the same types of things and preparation. I think you just have to lay your hat there. They are human. So I think we are excited to be back here. I think those guys have high character. They are great competitors. Expecting their best tonight and that's the great part about them, they look at themselves, they are hard on themselves and they will push themselves.

Q. Will Giannis be here tonight?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: I'm assuming, yes.

Q. I don't know how much chance you and your staff have had to look at game film and the games you've played when Giannis wasn't available. I know you know what it's like when he's in the rotation. What have you and your staff learned about those games and what you guys can do?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: You know, I think there's some confidence gained from the way that the group has been able to play both defensively and offensively. And I think the group has been together awhile. That gives them some confidence. There's obviously things that may be different emphasis, different things, and there's things that will be similar that we've got to do at a high level, and at the same time let guys just be themselves.

They have done it. They have seen it. They know what it feels like and I think they are prepared ready to play.

Q. With all that in mind, what's the difference between needing to do it in the middle of the game and getting 48 hours to get ready for it?

MIKE BUDENHOLZER: I mean, you know, I think tomorrow -- or, sorry, yesterday, was mostly kind of a day to get away as players and just take care of their bodies mentally and this morning get to have a little bit of shoot around, walk through a few things. I think you have to keep them where they are playing, where they are free and they are not over thinking it, and I think just to hammer a little bit of that more than anything this morning.