My thoughts on some of the Bucks players development

One thing that frustrates me more than anything about the NBA over the years is the growing lack of shot selection and good offense. I’ve been watching the NBA since the 1990-91 season (yup grew up a Bulls fan sorry Buck fans) in that time at least it seemed offenses were so organized and precise. Players took good shots, they were aggressive to the basket, and their free throw percentage was just as important as their shooting percentage.

Now it seems the NBA is based on one on one plays and chucking up as many 3 point baskets as possible. Most players’ free throw percentages are pathetically sad, and for the most part the mid range game is dead. Player’s games don’t develop anymore, for the exception of some of the top stars. Some of the other top stars can get away with no development in their game they cover it by taking more shots doing Nike commercials and taking their talent to South Beach, but I won’t get into that right now.

Two Bucks players in particular haven’t really developed as much as their talent really should have so far. Brandon Jennings although I love his game and think he is going to be a great player; he has not really developed his game in his first two seasons. Jennings was the Bucks only real threat in the fourth quarter, but because of a lack of a real offensive threat he was forced to take a lot of shots, and try to be a scorer. For that reason I don’t really blame Jennings shooting percentage entirely on him, just a victim of poor offense. Jennings absolutely has to be a point guard. Jennings needs a scorer to play off of, and he needs to concentrate on spreading the ball around, and using his speed to get to the basket and the foul line. Jennings will be a success in the league if he develops his game and if not he’ll have an average career that more than likely he’ll finish in Turkey or some other European team.

The other Bucks player that really needs to develop is Carlos Delfino. Unlike Jennings who has the excuse of youth Delfino just seems to be unwilling to do anything but throw up 3 pointers the entire game. Someone on the Bucks staff should really sit Delfino down and say, “Carlos we know you’re a shooter, but if you move in four feet guess what bud you go from a shooter to a scorer!” Delfino absolutely must take the mid range shots, and get to the foul line. He has the talent to be the scorer the Bucks so desperately need. If he can’t take the next step he will continue to get minutes at least till someone better comes along, then he will find himself getting further and further down the depth chart.

I do hope since Bucks coach Scott Skiles was an old school type player during his career he’ll take advantage of these two players tremendous talent, and show them how to take best advantage of what they bring to the game. If he can do that the Bucks will be a success, and get the 50 wins I think they are capable of.

Thoughts about the season, and predictions for next season

I’ve taken the last couple days trying to think about what my feelings are about this past season. I saw some articles about the end of the Bucks season, grading their performance and mostly being pretty negative, thought about doing something similar for this one. I decided not to do that but I will reflect on some of the good things that happened this season, some of the not so good things that happened this season, and some of the things I questioned.

I do think that Brandon Jennings made some good strides this season in some aspects of the game. He is no doubt the floor leader of this current Bucks squad. Jennings will take any shot at any time and has really been the only positive player on the Bucks in the fourth quarter and clutch time.

Jennings though he has played well, he desperately needs help. He is just a second year pro, and his playing style is really that of a guy living on talent alone. Jennings no doubt is going to be a great player, but he simply is not ready to shoulder the load of carrying a team. Jennings needs a scorer he can play off of instead of trying to do it all by himself. He can still be the leader and I think he will, but I don’t see him or the Bucks being successful if he is forced to try to carry the scoring load. I have no doubt that Jennings will put in the off season work and have a much better season next year. My Jennings prediction for next season 18 to 20 points, 6 to 8 assist.

Andrew Bogut as everyone knows has just had surgery on his right elbow, and battled through that elbow injury all season. Bogut played incredibly tough this year, his elbow hindered his ability to even shoot the ball, his shooting percentage reflected that dropping from 52 percent last year to 49.5 percent this season, and he shot just 44.2 percent from the free throw line. Bogut did however continue to be one off the premier defenders at the center position, he lead the league in blocks per game this season 2.6 per game.

Boguts offensive game is the key for the Bucks success next season, he simply has to score on a regular basis. He sometimes does not attack the basket and look to score as much particularly against players I, and I think even he sees as more talented than him. That cannot happen next year. He is a number one draft pick someone should remind him of that. My Bogut prediction for next year is 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

Scott Skiles is the only one I kind of question this season. Don’t get me wrong I like Skiles as a coach but I don’t understand his depth chart this year particularly with Corey Maggette. Meggette is a scorer on a team that frankly can’t put the ball in the basket, but for some reason Maggette couldn’t get off the bench. Maggette is not exactly known for being a system kind of player and I imagine that burned Skiles just a bit. Maggette is a veteran he plays how he plays the Bucks knew what they got, when they got him, they shouldn’t have expected different. On a top 5 defensive team that’s losing put the scorer on the floor coach.

I do think the Bucks are on the right track, and I do think they will have a good season next year. Skiles is a good coach and a few of the Bucks players should have a nice sized chip on their shoulder because they have a lot to prove next year. My Bucks prediction for next season 50 wins. Yup I’m calling it now 50 wins for the Bucks next year.

Bucks beat the Thunder 110-106 in overtime to end the season

Well Bucks fans the season is over. For some of us that’s a big sigh of relief. For some of us it’s always sad no matter if it’s a good season or bad. After the impressive season last year, we all came in thinking at least the Bucks could make some noise in the East this year. We all know that just wasn’t in the cards this year. Because of injuries and what I can only call a stagnant offensive attack this just wasn’t a great season for Bucks basketball.

The Bucks finished out their year in Oklahoma City Wednesday night against the Thunder. It was pretty much a go out and win if you can, just don’t get hurt kind of game for the Thunder. They were locked into the 4th seed in the playoffs, and really had nothing to gain by winning this game. Thunder coach Scott Brooks did play his starters for the first three quarters hoping to beat Milwaukee, but as always in the playoffs or out of the playoffs the Bucks don’t lay down for anyone and opponents do have to play 48 minutes of basketball to beat Milwaukee.

The Bucks went into the final game of the season shorthanded as usual this season, with John Brockman, and Andrew Bogut being shut down for the season earlier in the week. The Bucks played this game hard as usual as well. No Bucks fan could ever say this team is not putting forth the effort this season, they continuously play hard, play good defense, and try their ass off. Scott Skiles is no doubt the reason for that.

I’m sure some fans don’t like him as a coach. I’m sure some love Skiles as the coach. Skiles was a hardnosed tough player he played solid defense and played well above his talent level. Throughout his coaching career his teams have played the same way.

The Bucks struggled in the first quarter, but managed to come back and make a game of it against the Thunder. Seems to be a trend with the Bucks doesn’t it? This one was no different than most of the games have been lately. Struggles in the first quarter catch up in the second and third quarters (they led this one at halftime 46-43), and of course the close fourth quarter which has been a nightmare this season. That wasn’t the case this time Milwaukee scored nine straight points in the last minute and a half to tie the game at the end of the fourth quarter, and took the game to overtime. Brandon Jennings broke a 106-106 tie game late in overtime with a pretty reverse layup and Jennings sealed the 110-106 win with two free throws at the end.

With the regular season over I will continue to blog on this page. I am really looking forward to looking at the current roster, looking at the draft, and potential free agents. I enjoy sharing my opinion of this team, and how things are going. Anything I didn’t cover or Bucks fans would want me to cover let me know leave a comment on this page or find me on twitter @mikebears54. Yeah I’m a Bears fan but I’ve watched and loved the NBA for many years.

Where do you see Redd?

Was last night’s 93-86 win against the Toronto Raptors, Michael Redd’s last home game in a Bucks uniform? I say yes! I know Redd has been with the Bucks for eleven years. I know it is the only team he has ever known, but it just makes sense that it ends here.

Redd is without a doubt one of the best players ever to put on a Bucks uniform. If it is his last season with the team he will finish in the top 7 among all time leaders for the Bucks in 8 categories. He is 7th in games played (577), 4th in points (11,543),7th in field goals made (4,058),4th in field goal attempts (9,035), 2nd in 3 pointers made (1,002), 1st in 3 pointer attempted (2,616), 2nd in free throws made (2,425), and 3rd in free throws attempted (2,887). Redd is a NBA All-Star, and an Olympic Gold medalist.

Redd is also in the last year of a 6 year, 91 million dollar contract, not a bad deal for a second round draft pick. For four of those years by basketball standards ,that was money well spent. But as everyone knows Redd has missed the majority of the last two seasons because he tore his ACL and MCL ligaments in his left knee twice.

Now I’m not one of those fan’s that says,” Oh screw that guy get rid of him.” I do respect what Redd did for the Bucks. Michael Redd is one hell of a NBA player and did a lot for the Milwaukee Bucks. In a time were this team hasn’t been very good he at least made them respectable.

I am not saying end the relationship with Michael Redd for just the Bucks sake. I do think it’s the best thing for both parties involved that things end now. The Bucks can build on a good thing they have going with the current roster. The available cap space may not bring in a big name free agent but it could bring in a couple players that along with a good draft pick could be great for the franchise.

For Redd there is always going to be a playoff team willing to give a veteran player with his ability a roster spot. He can get in with one of them and earn himself a championship. Redd has had a great career, he’s made his money, now he needs to go get his ring. Then he can get in the hall of fame, gain some weight, and become a commentator.

Your probably bigger than Earl Boykins, but can you do this?

Some of my all time favorite basketball players are the little guys. Spudd Webb was awesome back in the day with the Hawks throwing down dunks in the dunk contest in 1986. Webb was only 5’7”, the fact that he can even dunk amazes me (since I’m 6’2” and never got close).

Then there was Tyronne “Mugsy” Bogues. Bogues at only 5’3” tall in my opinion at least was one of the premier point guards in the NBA. Bogues played alongside two of the best players in the NBA at the time Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning, but Bogues , even with his small stature was one of the leaders of the then Charlotte Hornets. He was in Spaced Jam too. (love that flick)

The Bucks signed their own little guy this season when they picked up, Earl Boykins. Earl again is one of my favorites. At just 5’ 5” and 133 lbs Earl is the smallest player in the NBA right now. Earl is a 12 year NBA veteran, but for some reason has never found that long term home in the league. He is once again a free agent after this season ends, the Bucks only signed him to a one year deal.

I hadn’t heard it before but I recently found a story about Earl that amazed me. Earl is a great floor leader, great fundamental basketball player, and like most NBA players is in fantastic condition. That conditioning was put to the test last year when Earl was trying to get on with the Washington Wizards. The Wizards of course put Earl through many conditioning test, one of which was a bench press. At 5’5” tall and just 133 lbs, Earl benched an amazing 315 lbs. Earl apparently amazed all the coaching staff, and the players on the Wizards.

I truly hope the Bucks sign Earl to a long term deal. Fact is this is a big man’s game, but it is not a game that is always given maximum effort from its players. A guy like Earl Boykins just by surviving a 12 year career shows that he is giving max effort all the time, and is in it for the love of the game. There are not enough Earl Boykins type players in the NBA, and I hope the Bucks brass does the smart thing and keeps him around.

Milwaukee is eliminated, but take down the Heat 90-85

Milwaukee was eliminated from the playoffs after Indiana defeated the Washington Wizards. The Pacers game concluded during the Bucks game with the Miami Heat Wednesday night.

The Bucks went into Miami to battle the Heats “big three” trying to hold on to their playoffs hopes. Things started out on the Bucks side even before the game started. The Heat would be without, at least in my opinion the biggest of their big three Dwayne Wade. Wade suffered a thigh injury on Sunday night.

The Bucks started off well for a change in the first quarter. The Bucks led after the first quarter 25-15. The Bucks shot an unreal, at least for the Bucks 52.4 percent in the first quarter.

“King” James scored his first basket, a three pointer till there was 5:28 seconds left in the first half. That shot trimmed the Bucks lead to 37-34. James ran off 8 straight points for Miami to pull them within one. Corey Maggette answered with two free throws and layup for Milwaukee to close out the first half with the Bucks up by 5, 45-40.

John Salmons scored 17, and was the man of the night for Milwaukee, he kept the Bucks ahead for most of the third, but two threes by Mike Bibby and a James three tied up the game at 53-53 with 7:07 left in the third quarter.

The game remained tied through the third quarter, and the teams went into the fourth quarter tied at 63, sending Milwaukee into yet another close game.

Drew Gooden was ejected from the game initially after he was called for a flagrant 2 foul, on a layup attempt by Miami’s Joel Anthony. The play was reviewed by the officials and downgraded to a flagrant 1 foul, and Gooden was allowed to stay in the game. Anthony made the free throws to put Miami up 67-63.

John Salmons continued his good night sinking to straight jumpers, to tie the game back up. Carlos Delfino gave the Bucks the lead back with a jumper 81-79. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (the absolute best name in the NBA for a blogger) put the put the Bucks back up by for with 1:46 left. The Heat cut the lead back to one 83-82, and had the ball with a chance to take the lead, but Heat guard Mike Bibby was called for an offensive foul. Delfino hit another three to put Milwaukee up 86-82, with 24.8 seconds left. The Bucks finished off the Heat the rest of the way to win 90-85.

Although the Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs, this was a huge win. They came in played great defense again and played good team offense. They still shot a lot of jumpers, but at least for this game they went in. A win like this one is a confidents builder going into next season. Yeah this season didn’t exactly go the way Bucks brass and Bucks fans probably intended, but this win shows they can play with anyone.

I think this was a huge loss for Miami as well, even without Wade they had the offensive talent to win this game. The fact that they were not able to win the game when they are trying to catch Boston for the second seed in the playoffs, says a lot about Miami down the stretch.

Bucks lose ugly game to Orlando 78-72

Well Bucks fans the Bucks went into Orlando last night against a clearly superior Magic team, and played Bucks basketball once again. Orlando’s Hedo Turkoglu started things off with a three, which began a 14-0 run to start the game.

Scott Skiles benched every starter with 6:40 left in the first quarter, and the Bucks still didn’t score their first points till Dwight Howard was called for goal tending. The Magic led the first quarter 26-14. The Bucks shot just 27.8 percent from the floor in the first quarter.

The Bucks managed just 33 first half points, and trailed Orlando 42-33 at halftime. Milwaukee did manage to make the game close through the third quarter, and set up another close game for Milwaukee.

With the Bucks trailing by two 74-72 with just a minute left, an Andrew Bogut pass was stolen away by Orlando’s Jameer Nelson, Nelson got the ball to Turkaglu. Turkaglu hit a jumper to put the Magic ahead by four. The Magic hit another jumper to finish the game off defeating the Bucks 78-72.

So what went wrong? Milwaukee went in to Orlando against a physical monster Dwight Howard and allowed him to dominate. With Howard’s tendency to get a lot of fouls and his known frequency to get technical fouls, the Bucks had to attack Howard. They shot way too many jumpers and not enough layups and free throws. Orlando shot 36 free throws, Milwaukee shot just 17, a few more trips to the line and the Bucks win this game.

A look at the future of the Bucks

Taking a look at the future of the Milwaukee Bucks I see some positive things. They may not make the playoffs this season, but that may not be a bad thing. They would have to play Chicago, and i don’t think that would be a long playoff series this year.  The Bucks have a great mix of young guys and veteran players. They play great team defense (3rd in the NBA in opponents scoring). They just don’t have that consistent offensively explosive player to battle the stars in the East this year.

Michael Redd has returned from his fourteen month absence do to tearing his ACL and MCL twice. Redd is in the last year of a max contract, he was once the go to guy for Milwaukee but he hasn’t played very much in his return, making me wonder if he is not 100 percent, or do the Bucks brass have no intentions of bringing Redd back at all.

Brandon Jennings is the future for the Bucks. He is without a doubt the most talented offensive player for Milwaukee, but he is incredibly young and has a lot of work to do on the offensive end. Jennings has a tendency to fall in love with the jump shot instead of attacking the basket, using his quickness, drawing fouls and getting to the line, the Bucks are 14-6 this season when Jennings shoots 8 or more free throws. If Jennings is going to be a premier player in the NBA he has to be more like Tony Parker and less like Allen Iverson.

If Milwaukee does not bring back Michael Redd, John Salmons may not be the fix at the two guard spot. Salmons like Jennings just shoots way to many jumpers and not enough free throws. Salmons shooting percentage is way down from every area on the floor for the exception of three point range. Salmons is shooting just 40.1 percent from the field this season, well below his career average of 43.9.

Carlos Delfino is you’re your basic three point gunner, like great three point shooters before him in the NBA; Delfino has had games this season when he has been amazing. He is shooting 46.4 percent from the three point line in the last 10 games. Like most shooters of the past, Delfino has been inconsistent this season, and is a defensive liability. I think his future is as a sixth man for the Bucks, with his shooting ability he could become a very valuable asset off the bench.

Andrew Bogut just has to get and stay healthy. Bogut has been working through an arm injury this season. The arm has not bothered him defensively, he is the league’s leading shot blocker at 2.60 per game and is grabbing just over 11 rebounds a game. Boguts offense has dropped off this season form 17 points a game to 13, but as long as he’s healthy Bogut will be the man in the middle for the Bucks.

Playoffs or no playoffs I don’t see Milwaukee pulling in a big time free agent in the off season especially with the NBA’s upcoming lockout. Milwaukee has to be improved through the draft. In my opinion the Bucks have to look at the best scorer available at the two guard spot, or either forward position.

I don’t think the Bucks will, or should bring Michael Redd back. His injury is just too big of injury to come back from at his age, and the odds just aren’t good that he could come back and be what he once was for the Bucks.

I do think Scott Skiles is a great NBA coach. Skiles has really taken his tough attitude he had as a player and instilled it in this Bucks team. As long as Skiles is the coach, the Bucks will play good defense and play fundamentally sound basketball.

Jennings struggles in regulation, but shines in overtime to beat the Sixers 93-87

The Bucks did it again, Saturday against the Philadelphia Seventy Sixers. Milwaukee had a shot again to win. The regulation ended the way so many had before for the Bucks, they once again just couldn’t finish the game. The Bucks ended regulation with a run of five minutes without making a single field goal. After the Bucks Keyon Dooling was called for traveling with 30 seconds left, the Sixers had the chance to end it in regulation. Sixers guard Drew Holliday tried to get the ball down low for the win, but his pass bounced off the backboard. The ball was rebounded by the Bucks, and Bucks coach Scott Skiles called a time out to set up the potential game winner.

The inbounds play was set up for Brandon Jennings, the ball was inbounded to Jennings at the top of the key just beyond the three point line, Jennings got a good look but it just wouldn’t fall.

In the overtime Jennings made up for going 0-6 earlier in regulation. Jennings had never finished a game he had started without a field goal. Jennings took over the o.t. period scoring nine of his 13 point in the o.t. Jennings in fact outscored the Sixers by himself in overtime 9-8. The Bucks finished off the game beating the Sixers 93-87.

The Bucks aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoff race; they still are three games back of the Indiana Pacers for the 8th playoff spot, and still have to leap over the Charlotte Bobcats, who are a game ahead.

The Bucks are forced to play the win and wait game over their final six games of the season, the Pacers magic number to eliminate Milwaukee is two, meaning a combination of Pacers wins and Bucks loses totaling two ends Milwaukee’s chances for the playoffs.

Bucks lose playoff killer against the Pacers 89-88

Milwaukee went into Indiana Friday night to play the Pacers. The Bucks were three games behind the Pacers for the 8th playoff spot in the East, so Fridays game was a perfect opportunity to make up ground, and get back in the playoff race.

The Bucks Andrew Bogut missed Friday morning shoot around, he was being treated in an Indianapolis hospital, Bogut was suffering from another migraine that coach Scott Skiles said he gets often. Bogut was treated and released, he returned to the team hotel around 2 pm.

Bogut made the start against the Pacers, and like the rest of the Bucks, he came out shooting. Bogut went 4-4 in the first quarter scoring eight first quarter points. Brandon Jennings also scored six points in the first quarter, helping the Bucks start out 10-19 shooting, and end the first quarter with a 22-14 lead.

Indiana took that first quarter blow, and came back with one of their own. The Pacers scored 32 points in the second quarter. Darren Collison led the way Pacers in the first half with nine points and five assist, helping the Pacers recover from a very slow start. Indiana finished the first half strong, taking a seven point lead at 46-39.

The Pacers scored the first six points of the third quarter, causing Bucks coach Scott Skiles to look to the bench for a spark. Skiles dusted off Corey Maggette. Maggette had only played two minutes in the previous seven games for the Bucks, he entered the game with Earl Boykins. Maggette calmly went down the floor and drilled a three pointer to cut the deficit to nine at 60-51.

Roy Hibbert countered the Maggette three with a basket. Tyler Hansbrough sank one of two free throws, and sank a jumper on the following Pacers possession to make the score 65-51. The Bucks managed to get a little ground back, and a Luc Richard Mbah a Moute jumper pulled the Bucks back within nine to end the third 69-60.

Milwaukee gained ground quickly in the fourth quarter, a Corey Maggette dunk on a fast break, and a jumper on the next trip down the floor made the score 75-71 with 8:03 left in the game. Five straight points from Brandon Jennings made the score 81-78, and two more buckets by Jennings pulled the Bucks within two 86-84. Tyler Hanbrough drew Boguts sixth foul, to put Bogut out of the game. Hansbrough hit one of two free throws making it 87-84. John Salmons hit a jumper to put the Bucks within one with 1:29 left. Roy Hibbert scored on a dunk for the Pacers, but Salmons came back with a 22 foot jumper to make it a one point game with 26.7 left.

Darren Collison missed a shot for the Pacers, the rebound was tapped out to Maggette, Skiles called a Bucks time out with 2.7 left. The Pacers sniffed out the inbounds play, clearly set up for John Salmons, which caused the last option on the play Drew Gooden to take the potential game winner, along jump shot that missed badly. The game ended 89-88, another one point loss for the Bucks on their 3 game road trip, and for the most part ending the Bucks playoff chances.

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