Not your Daddy's Milwaukee Bucks

[sidewinder]

The always down in the dumps Milwauke Bucks (3-2) has seemingly rises from the ashes in this early edition of the 2009/2010 NBA season. Gone are the days of being pushovers and training fodder for the the majority of NBA teams. Todays Bucks are carrying a swagger unseen in these parts in decades.

Why? As with any sucessful team, there is no one reason why the Bucks are off to a good start, but all the excitment that is building is because of the play of Brandon Jennings, the brash confident PG who broke tradition by getting in David Sterns dog house bypassing college and playing a year over seas, opening the potentil flood gates for other prep stars to follow.

But it has not just been Jennings. Below is a quick synopsis of the current Bucks roster and how they are all fitting together.

Luc Richard Mbah A Moute: Long , athletic, versatile. One of the top five defensive players in the league. Can gaurd four positions. Has been quite thus far. We haven’t seen the payoff yet on his jumper he worked on all off season. If he, Ersan and DelFino break out, we could be scary good.

Hakim Warrick: Dunks a lot. Long, athletic, versatile. Knows how to draw fouls. Would much rather have him for one year at 3.5 mill as opposed to Charlie Villanueva at 7-8 mill per for five years.

Ersan Ilyasova: Considered the top player in Europe playing for Barcelona. Long, athletic (kinda) and versatile. He’s adjusting to the NBA. Once he gets reacclimated, I want him shooting. Has range to beyond the arc.

Carlos DelFino: Rugged, smart, hasn’t had a breakout game yet. Very physical, good rebounder, scrappy, very good range. Good guy to have, but haven’t seen his best yet.

Jodi Meeks: Will be seeing more of him. Excellent shooter, live body, knows defense comes first in order to get out on the court.

Brandon Jennings: Would rather have Jennings for four years as opposed to Sessions being the starter the next four years. He is actually a very nice, well mannered genuine kid, who puts team first. He is exciting, but he is doing a nice job of getting everyone involved, including center Andrew Bogut.

Andrew Bogut: Mr. Everything has been showing off his immense skilles these last three games (19/10). Not coincidently, Redd has been out all three games. Excellent passer, when half court offense goes through him ,good things happen, I mean almost always.

Luke RidNour Steady heady PG, a nice compliment to BJ3.

Charlie Bell: Has been playing steady defense, but Meeks will beat him out soon, then we will use an all rookie backcourt at times this year, and that’s a good thing.

Dan Gadzurich: Rule of thumb still applies “Never count on Danny G.” I will say this though, so far so good this year. Skiles has had an effect on Gadz. He has slowed down on the offensive end, and brought some positive vibes defensively. However I still hold my breath when he enters a game and that feeling won’t go away anytime soon, nor should it.

Roko Ukic: I like him. I like he is six feet four and seems fundamentally sound with a good head on his shoulders. Too early to tell anything concrete.

Francisco Elson: Incomplete. Gadz beat him out which should tell you something.

Mike Redd: I have never liked his game. A designated shooter who would be a good third option on a good team. No leadership whatsoever, terrible passer, can not finish on a break. The two time’s he did he got hurt. Chucker mentality.

Joe Alexander: Biggest disappointment for me personally in several years, after I defended this pick to the bitter end. I still think he is going to be a NBA player in time.

Kurt Thomas: I like Skiles candor when he said about Thomas…” he is too slow to play with us.” As long as Gadz is playing the way he has been this year, Thomas won’t be needed as much save for going up against Boston, Cleveland, Spurs, ect.

Overall we are all excited about the tough defense, the unselfishness, and a kid named Jennings. We are number one in scoring defense and rebounding. Everyone is contrubuting. We're playing Duke basketball basically, moving, cutting, sharing the ball, and on defense, well, Scott Skiles is our coach, nuff said. Keep your eye on the Bucks, they may be a team you want to start watching

[El Pimpo]

I like your passion!

Nice to see a true fan of another team than the usual suspects (boston,la,cavs,magic)!

But common it could be you sell your players too high!

Mbah a Moute my man from cameroon: I like him a very good defender,actually i saw many times in person but he's not top 5 defensive players in this league at least not yet,what about KG,Battier,Duncan,Dwight,Ariza,Kobe,Artest,Cp3,Ron do for example.


Ersan Ilyasova was never considered as the top player in europa,he was euroleague mvp of the month(october i think),but the best player in europa,common way too high,say one of the best talents for sure but top player europa no way,you should follow more the euroleague then you'll know names like Ramunas Siskauskas,Papaloukas,Tiago Splitter(great great player hope he'll come to the nba real soon),Spanoulis,Pekovic.... and the best player on Barcelona last year was Juan Navarro euroleague MVP this year by the way!


Jennings over Sessions so far jennings is great but don't forget poor Sessions didn't get the freedom last year that Jennings has now,i don't understand why is sessions not starting in Minnesota but any way i agree Jennings real big big talent,about his attitude as long he doesn't talk in radio,he's good kid,actually he has now a press coach!



Andrew Bogut barring injury is a top10 nba center!

Don't hate Redd,he's not his fault,ya know you can't predict injuries,and the time he signed that big contract he was bombing the ball like hell!His 2005 season was truly crazy good,too bad injuries and expectations not reached but at one time he was worth that money ya know!Now not anymore!


Now don't be excited so far with bucks wins this year cause you know it was against sub-par teams like Minnesota and new york ya know teams that will not make the playoffs and another win against Detroit a rebuilding team who likely will not make the playoffs this year!

I just tell you that cause don't be surprised to see them at the botton of the league again cause really they can match with the potential playoffs teams!

Enjoy the ride of jennings and Bogut,maybe the revival of Redd but don't expect a lot of wins this year.

By the way welcome to the forum!

[nEwImEr]

what about KG,Battier,Duncan,Dwight,Ariza,Kobe,Artest,Cp3,Ron do for example.

you name kobe and not LBJ, man wheres your love gone

and welcome to the forums sidewinder, nice post

[El Pimpo]

you name kobe and not LBJ, man wheres your love gone

and welcome to the forums sidewinder, nice post

i Forgot Kobe

of course is a great defender when he has to!

[sidewinder]

Thanks for the comments fella's. Yes I know it's early, but if they fall on their face from here on out, I had to take this window of opportunity to at least try to get people looking our way. Scott Skiles said Mbah A Moute was a top five defender this off season. When you consider he can equally shut down PG's, SG's, SF's and PF's, he adds a deminsion others you name don't have.

Ersan? He was ranked with Splitter as a top Euro player. I think once he gets the cob webs out of his head, and re groups, he will be shooting "lights" out. The kid is deadly. Same with DelFino, whom many will remember as being a leader on the Argitine team that upset USA basketball a few years back. You add Jodi Meeks and now all of a sudden you can knock down some outside shots.

I know the league now how a book on the Bucks and NBA coaches aren't stupid, but I do like what I see, compared to past Bucks teams, not so much how they stack up against the rest of the league.

At least with us playing hard nosed tough defense now, we should be in allot more games than in recent past. My prediction is 34 wins...but hopeing for more.

========

When the Golden State Warriors (3-5) visit the Bradley Center tonight to play the Milwaukee Bucks (4-2), an excitement will be in the air. The Warriors are second in the league in scoring at 109 ppg, but they are also last in the league in scoring defense, giving up an unconscious able 111 ppg.

The Warriors have six players averaging in double figures, led by PG Monta Ellis at 18.5 ppg, and Steven Jackson at 16.0 ppg. Rookie PG Stephen Curry is averaging 7.6 ppg in 26 minutes.

Milwaukee on the other hand is second in the league in scoring defense, yielding a mere 88 ppg, while ranking a modest 23rd in scoring (93 ppg).

The Bucks are led by an exciting duo. Brash, confident and most of all talented rookie PG Brandon Jennings leads the team in scoring at 20.7 ppg and assist (5.2) in just over 32 minutes a game.



The other half of Milwaukee’s new found duo is fifth year center Andrew Bogut, (15/9)



So is it going to be a track meet? Or a grind it out defensive slug fest??

I am thinking this will be the highest scoring game thus far the Bucks will have been involved in these first seven games. Why?

Because slowly but surely, with the team…

• coming in a month early

• then going through training camp

• 8 preseason games

• six regular season games

• several days to practice and watch film in between these first six games

• They have been home for a week.

• They are playing faster it seems every game.

• They are getting some chemistry from all of this time together.

• The players have been focused, they have been attentive, and they have been good soldiers all, to Head Coach Scott Skiles and his basketball bible.

Certainly their hard nosed defensive philosophy will still be present, but I think they want to move the ball and play fast.

They have been getting better at early offense, and with their continued unselfish play, and getting more efficient at moving the ball faster, combined with the Warrior’s “lack of something” on defense, I see an up and down game tonight.

I think tonight is the perfect night for the Bucks offense to explode. Of course defense and rebounding is the key. Last night the Warriors had only 17 assist on 45 made field goals, meaning they must “iso” allot.

Hold the fort defensively, rebound and get out and put up IF you got a good shot early. If not, swing it around, go through Bogut, and do it over and over again, all night, just be aggressive against this team, constantly moving and passing to the more open shooter.

Last year in China we played GS, and those games were played the same way I am saying here, but now even faster. Throw in the fact Bucks rookie PG Brandon Jennings thrives in this style of pla.y…in my crystal ball I see the table set for some good old fashion up and down 1980’s basketball tonight.

Then when we need too late in the game, I think we are starting to have the ability to slow things down, get some defensive stops and close out another one, with an inside/outside game.

You don’t wanna miss this one.



Bucks 113
Warriors 104

[El Pimpo]

Thanks for the comments fella's. Yes I know it's early, but if they fall on their face from here on out, I had to take this window of opportunity to at least try to get people looking our way. Scott Skiles said Mbah A Moute was a top five defender this off season. When you consider he can equally shut down PG's, SG's, SF's and PF's, he adds a deminsion others you name don't have.

Ersan? He was ranked with Splitter as a top Euro player. I think once he gets the cob webs out of his head, and re groups, he will be shooting "lights" out. The kid is deadly. Same with DelFino, whom many will remember as being a leader on the Argitine team that upset USA basketball a few years back. You add Jodi Meeks and now all of a sudden you can knock down some outside shots.

I know the league now how a book on the Bucks and NBA coaches aren't stupid, but I do like what I see, compared to past Bucks teams, not so much how they stack up against the rest of the league.

At least with us playing hard nosed tough defense now, we should be in allot more games than in recent past. My prediction is 34 wins...but hopeing for more.

I hope for you!

Most important you have a way and hope to rebuild and be competitive!

[Rip #32]

i agree
bucks have put a nice little team together
though as good as they've been, without redd it'll get tough to break through the 25-win-margin

[beatpole2]

i Forgot LeBron

of course is a great defender when he has to!

fixed

[Alvy]

Great name for this thread.

[BaLLa]

I like the Bucks defensive mentality this year. Its something they've been lacking in recent years. 35 wins would be a good estimation in my opinion but hey the signs for the future are all good .

[Kendrick Perkins]

they've shocked me, to say the least. i pegged them between 10 and 20 wins this year. jennings has been surprisingly good. still, two of their best players get hurt for a lot of every season (Redd and Bogut). we'll have to wait and see...

[walkr]

Roko Ukic: I like him

lol love the post, next we should do a suns breakdown

[rodstriker]

Ersan Ilyasova was never considered as the top player in europa,he was euroleague mvp of the month(october i think),but the best player in europa,common way too high,say one of the best talents for sure but top player europa no way,you should follow more the euroleague then you'll know names like Ramunas Siskauskas,Papaloukas,Tiago Splitter(great great player hope he'll come to the nba real soon),Spanoulis,Pekovic.... and the best player on Barcelona last year was Juan Navarro euroleague MVP this year by the way!

Now don't be excited so far with bucks wins this year cause you know it was against sub-par teams like Minnesota and new york ya know teams that will not make the playoffs and another win against Detroit a rebuilding team who likely will not make the playoffs this year!

I just tell you that cause don't be surprised to see them at the botton of the league again cause really they can match with the potential playoffs teams!

Enjoy the ride of jennings and Bogut,maybe the revival of Redd but don't expect a lot of wins this year.

By the way welcome to the forum!

I like what I see about the Bucks. About Ilyasova you can't say there is a top 5 in Europe. That's bullshit. Nobody plays 35+ minutes or takes 15+ shots a game to show that dominance.

PG's - Jasikevicius, Papaloukas, Spanoulis, Prigioni, Rubio
SG's - Kaukenas, Siskauskas, Rakocevic, Spanoulis, Diamantidis
SF's - Childress, Kleiza, Boki Nachbar,
PF's - Velikovic, Pekovic, Fotsis, Lorbek, Garbajosa, Lavrinovic, Ilyasova (the time he was there)
C's - Boroussis, Splitter, Reyes, Vazquez, Andersen (the time he was there)

They're all the top players. You pick a top 5 based on who you like the most, not like the NBA where it's LeBron, Kobe, Wade, Paul and Howard/Duncan

[sidewinder]

Last night’s game pitting the Milwaukee Bucks (4-2) vs the Denver Nuggets (6-3) was a litmus test of sorts for Milwaukee. They had been playing well this season, but hadn’t faced an elite team before hosting the Nuggets at the Bradley Center.

These “new look” Bucks have had a swagger about them all this early season, and last nights game shows you reasons why. The Bucks have been playing Duke type of basketball.

They are extremely unselfish, from one through 12, who ever is on the court, they are expected to play sound, solid hard nose defense, because if you don’t, Bucks Head Coach Scott Skiles will sit your BEHIND on the pine.

Case in point…starter Hakim Warrick wasn’t putting out the effort expected by the demanding coach on the defensive end, so Skiles sits him for the next twelve minutes.

The Bucks have been getting contributions from every direction, as evidenced once again by the leagues leading rebounding team having at least four players with at least six rebounds, while two other players had five and four rebounds as well.

The constant big guns for the Bucks are their two best players, fifth year center Andrew Bogut, who turns 25 this month, and 20 year old rookie PG Brandon Jennings.

After that, it’s a “BY Committee” type of thing, where on a given night two or three other players come up big as well. Top to bottom this has been a roster full of contributors.

Some numbers from last night reads…

Brandon Jennings: Career high 32 points on 11-19 shooting from the field, 8-8 from the free throw line, and 2-2 from three point range . He had 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 turnovers in 38 minutes.



If you can believe it, Jennings had a “quite” 32, that is until he hit those big three’s and knocked down 6/6 at the free throw line in the final minute..

Jennings is getting his numbers within the flow of the offense. He isn’t forcing anything, he is sharing the ball, and he has been playing very efficient, showing maturing beyond his years.

With Milwaukee ahead 91-90 late in the fourth, Jennings delivers two back to back daggers from beyond the arc to put Milwaukee up seven, 97-90. The Bucks withstood a strong push at the end by Denver.

Andrew Bogut: His 23 points on 10-15 shooting (3-3 FT’s), 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 blocks, and 2 turnovers in 38 minutes once again gave the Bucks an inside presence, opening things up for everybody else. He hit perhaps the biggest shot of the night with 24 seconds left, when he hit an 8 foot runner, putting his team up 102-97.



Since SG Mike Redd’s injury, the last four games Bogut is averaging 19.5ppg, 10.3rpg.

Ersan Ilyasova: 17 points on 5-8 shooting from the field, 4/4 FT’s, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover in 22 minutes.



Ersan is finding his way. After playing all summer in international ball, he had eight days off before starting training camp. He is seemingly getting more comfortable every game, going 3 for 3 from downtown, all in the first half, helping the Bucks open a double digit lead..

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute: 10 points on 3-8 shooting (4-4 from the line), 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, and 1 turnover in 35 minutes. Carmelo Anthony got his 32 points on 9/25 shooting. When Luc and Carmelo were matched together, Luc Richard made him shoot 7/20 (35%) while forcing Melo into five of his game high seven turnovers..



He too is starting to come around after a slow start recovering from a bruised left knee he got in practice prior to the opening of the regular season.

The most impressive thing through all of this, is the overall team play. The unselfishness, the chemistry between Bogut and Jennings, the effort, the fast pace by which they play, all has been a pleasant surprise for this (going on 40 years) Bucks fan.

Can they sustain it? Can Bogut stay healthy? Will the wear and grind of a long NBA season be too much for the slight framed Jennings to handle?

Who knows? We’ll see, but the early returns are these are not your Daddy’s Milwaukee Bucks. In fact, these guys are fun to watch, especially with the next four games still to be played at the Bradley Center.

Stay tuned.

[rodstriker]

Just amazing

Delfino needs to get more involved. He's a scoring threat like few in the world. He can change games

[sidewinder]

Just amazing

Delfino needs to get more involved. He's a scoring threat like few in the world. He can change games

You are correct. We have not seen the best of Carlos DelFino yet. He has been contributing with toughness, leadership and even has knocked down a couple of big three's for us, but his shot has not been falling the way it will when he breaks out of his funk. Same with Ersan, Luc Richard, Warrick.

Jodi Meeks played 13 minutes and went 1-7, yet didn't take a bad shot. Once he gets used to playing, he will be a nice addition to the bench rotation as well.

Chauncey Billips was giving Jennings props last night after the game.

[El Pimpo]

I like what I see about the Bucks. About Ilyasova you can't say there is a top 5 in Europe. That's bullshit. Nobody plays 35+ minutes or takes 15+ shots a game to show that dominance.

PG's - Jasikevicius, Papaloukas, Spanoulis, Prigioni, Rubio
SG's - Kaukenas, Siskauskas, Rakocevic, Spanoulis, Diamantidis
SF's - Childress, Kleiza, Boki Nachbar,
PF's - Velikovic, Pekovic, Fotsis, Lorbek, Garbajosa, Lavrinovic, Ilyasova (the time he was there)
C's - Boroussis, Splitter, Reyes, Vazquez, Andersen (the time he was there)

They're all the top players. You pick a top 5 based on who you like the most, not like the NBA where it's LeBron, Kobe, Wade, Paul and Howard/Duncan

I don't think i spoked about any top 5!

Hey listen, Side my new buddy wroted Ilaysova was the top europa player last year means the best in europa,so just wanted to remember him that actually top talent would be more accurate,cause actually there's a lot of guys about them people can say this one or that one the top player in europa depending of whom the like!I just gave him a list of possibilties!Nothing more!


Next time better read me or read me twice then you'll not missunderstand my posts!

[stayfly]

The always down in the dumps Milwauke Bucks (3-2) has seemingly rises from the ashes in this early edition of the 2009/2010 NBA season. Gone are the days of being pushovers and training fodder for the the majority of NBA teams. Todays Bucks are carrying a swagger unseen in these parts in decades.

Why? As with any sucessful team, there is no one reason why the Bucks are off to a good start, but all the excitment that is building is because of the play of Brandon Jennings, the brash confident PG who broke tradition by getting in David Sterns dog house bypassing college and playing a year over seas, opening the potentil flood gates for other prep stars to follow.

But it has not just been Jennings. Below is a quick synopsis of the current Bucks roster and how they are all fitting together.

Luc Richard Mbah A Moute: Long , athletic, versatile. One of the top five defensive players in the league. Can gaurd four positions. Has been quite thus far. We haven’t seen the payoff yet on his jumper he worked on all off season. If he, Ersan and DelFino break out, we could be scary good.

Hakim Warrick: Dunks a lot. Long, athletic, versatile. Knows how to draw fouls. Would much rather have him for one year at 3.5 mill as opposed to Charlie Villanueva at 7-8 mill per for five years.

Ersan Ilyasova: Considered the top player in Europe playing for Barcelona. Long, athletic (kinda) and versatile. He’s adjusting to the NBA. Once he gets reacclimated, I want him shooting. Has range to beyond the arc.

Carlos DelFino: Rugged, smart, hasn’t had a breakout game yet. Very physical, good rebounder, scrappy, very good range. Good guy to have, but haven’t seen his best yet.

Jodi Meeks: Will be seeing more of him. Excellent shooter, live body, knows defense comes first in order to get out on the court.

Brandon Jennings: Would rather have Jennings for four years as opposed to Sessions being the starter the next four years. He is actually a very nice, well mannered genuine kid, who puts team first. He is exciting, but he is doing a nice job of getting everyone involved, including center Andrew Bogut.

Andrew Bogut: Mr. Everything has been showing off his immense skilles these last three games (19/10). Not coincidently, Redd has been out all three games. Excellent passer, when half court offense goes through him ,good things happen, I mean almost always.

Luke RidNour Steady heady PG, a nice compliment to BJ3.

Charlie Bell: Has been playing steady defense, but Meeks will beat him out soon, then we will use an all rookie backcourt at times this year, and that’s a good thing.

Dan Gadzurich: Rule of thumb still applies “Never count on Danny G.” I will say this though, so far so good this year. Skiles has had an effect on Gadz. He has slowed down on the offensive end, and brought some positive vibes defensively. However I still hold my breath when he enters a game and that feeling won’t go away anytime soon, nor should it.

Roko Ukic: I like him. I like he is six feet four and seems fundamentally sound with a good head on his shoulders. Too early to tell anything concrete.

Francisco Elson: Incomplete. Gadz beat him out which should tell you something.

Mike Redd: I have never liked his game. A designated shooter who would be a good third option on a good team. No leadership whatsoever, terrible passer, can not finish on a break. The two time’s he did he got hurt. Chucker mentality.

Joe Alexander: Biggest disappointment for me personally in several years, after I defended this pick to the bitter end. I still think he is going to be a NBA player in time.

Kurt Thomas: I like Skiles candor when he said about Thomas…” he is too slow to play with us.” As long as Gadz is playing the way he has been this year, Thomas won’t be needed as much save for going up against Boston, Cleveland, Spurs, ect.

Overall we are all excited about the tough defense, the unselfishness, and a kid named Jennings. We are number one in scoring defense and rebounding. Everyone is contrubuting. We're playing Duke basketball basically, moving, cutting, sharing the ball, and on defense, well, Scott Skiles is our coach, nuff said. Keep your eye on the Bucks, they may be a team you want to start watching

I agree 100% with your team and individual evaluations

I'm a huge Bucks fan and am SUPER excited about how they are playing so far this season!!!

Go Bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sidewinder]

Two years ago Jim Pauske, the Bucks play by play guy for television, said repeatedly Ersan, Louis Scola and Tiago Splitter were the top three players in Europe. He sited that was the general consensus of the majority of the European coaches, whom I think were polled.

You'll learn I just don't throw bullshit out there. If I say it, it's either true or I am quoting someone else

The reason I am here is am am locked out of one of my forums, and the other one closed down, so I am looking for a cyber home, if you will.

So don't beat up on me too badly, we're family.

[El Pimpo]

Two years ago Jim Pauske, the Bucks play by play guy for television, said repeatedly Ersan, Louis Scola and Tiago Splitter were the top three players in Europe. He sited that was the general consensus of the majority of the European coaches, whom I think were polled.

You'll learn I just don't throw bullshit out there. If I say it, it's either true or I am quoting someone else

The reason I am here is am am locked out of one of my forums, and the other one closed down, so I am looking for a cyber home, if you will.

So don't beat up on me too badly, we're family.

WE learn from each other,all of us!


Welcome home Bro!