With the NBA Playoffs underway and the Milwaukee Bucks watching from home, that can only mean one thing to Bucks fans and general manager John Hammond – time to make the team better.
When the 2009-10 season kicks off in just over six months, the Bucks will already have two top-notch players on the floor who had no part in the team’s Playoff push this season; Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut. Redd missed the team’s last 36 games, while Bogut missed the final 32 games. Both are recovering from injuries, and are expected to make full recoveries in time for next season.
But while the Bucks may add two starters, they also face the reality of potentially losing two other starters this off-season in free agency. Ramon Sessions, who took over the starting point guard position in early February after Luke Ridnour broke his thumb, is a restricted free agent, and is certainly due a large raise from the two-year rookie contract he signed as a late-second round pick in 2007.
Additionally, Charlie Villanueva, who started 47 games at power forward and was third on the team in scoring (16.2 points per game), is also a restricted free agent.
With Redd and Richard Jefferson set to make a combined $31 million next season (which takes up over half of the team’s salary cap space), Bogut’s contract extension kicking in for $10 million, and bench players Dan Gadzuric and Charlie Bell on the books for a combined $10 million, the Bucks have very little financial flexibility to re-sign Sessions or Villanueva, much less be able to add other players through free agency.
Add in the fact that the NBA’s salary cap is expected to be lowered next season due to the poor economy, and it’s safe to say that Hammond finds himself in a tough situation.
Perhaps the answer to improving is through the NBA Draft. Fortunately, the Bucks won a tie-breaker over the New Jersey Nets (both teams finished 34-48) and now have the 10th best chance to win the number one overall pick, rather than the 11th. Unfortunately, that still means only having a one-percent chance of winning the Draft lottery, and ultimately, having the opportunity to draft Oklahoma sophomore sensation Blake Griffin. For comparison purposes, the Sacramento Kings (who had the worst record in the league) have a 25-percent chance of landing the number one pick.
If the Bucks don’t miraculously land one of the top three picks, they will draft somewhere between pick 10 and 13. The question is; could they find a difference-maker that late?
With the Bucks’ salary cap being maxed out, the answer then has to be to improve through trades. Of the Bucks top three paid players (Redd, Jefferson, Bogut), who is the most expendable? Of those three, who would other teams want to trade for? And would those teams be willing to give up anyone good to get them?
I believe that the answer lies in trading Michael Redd.
Redd has spent his entire career (nine seasons) in Milwaukee, and sometimes, change is good for everyone. Moving Redd could certainly rejuvenate him as a player, simply by the change of scenery. And for the Bucks, it would allow younger players such as Bogut (and perhaps Sessions if re-signed) to become the face of the franchise, and no longer rely on Redd to carry the team.
Since signing his max-contract with the Bucks in the summer of 2005, Redd has been expected to be the guy that takes Milwaukee to the next level. But as is usually the case in the NBA, pure outside shooters like Redd cannot be the best player on top-tier Playoff teams (ala Ray Allen’s lack of Playoff success in four-and-a-half seasons in Seattle as their best player, compared to his two highly-successful seasons in Boston as their third best player).
And if you believe that Redd is no longer the Bucks’ best player, then unless you envision this team making a deep Playoff run next season, why use nearly one-third of your salary cap space on him?
So should the Bucks trade Redd for nothing more than salary cap flexibility? What if trading Redd for little in return means having the money to be able to re-sign Sessions? If that option is presented to Hammond, I think that any non-Playoff team would prefer having a 23-year old point guard rather than a soon-to-be 30-year old shooting guard.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Bucks are on the right track
It’s easy for pessimists to say that the Milwaukee Bucks had another disappointing season, one which ended without a trip to the post-season. But unlike recent Bucks teams, where effort was questioned and an unproven head coach was at the helm, this year’s team clearly took a step in the right direction.
Two of the Bucks top players, Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut, each missed more than half of the team’s games this season. Redd played in only 33 of their 82 games, and has been out since January 24th when he tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee. Bogut was not on the court much more than that, playing in 36 games, missing the majority of the season with a lingering back problem.
And despite those major injuries, the Bucks still finished with eight more wins than last season, due in large part to new head coach Scott Skiles. They were also a legitimate Playoff contender up until the final three weeks of the season, when a stretch of going 4-16 put an end to any thoughts of post-season basketball in Milwaukee in 2009.
But with all things considered, the 2008-09 season was a success, starting with the acquisitions and roster moves of new general manager John Hammond last summer.
First, he turned the terrible contract of Bobby Simmons (had 2 years and $20 million left at the time of the trade) and the incredibly disappointing Yi Jianlian into proven veteran player Richard Jefferson. In terms of straight up talent-for-talent, the Bucks destroyed the New Jersey Nets in this trade. Luckily, Hammond was able to take advantage of a team that was looking to clear salary cap space for the summer of 2010 when LeBron James and other big-name players hit free agency.
And while Simmons continued to prove that he’s one of the worst contracts in the league (7.8 points per game in ’08-09, made $10 million) and Yi showed his second team in two years that he’s a lottery pick bust (8.6 ppg, 38% shooting in ’08-’09), Jefferson played all 82 games for an injury-plagued Milwaukee team, averaged just under 20 points per game, and was by all accounts, the steady presence that kept the Bucks afloat and in the Playoff race through the middle of March.
Additionally last summer, in a move that appeared to be more about team chemistry, Hammond also traded Mo Williams to the Cleveland Cavaliers, only to see Williams become a first-time All-Star this season. But in Milwaukee, Williams was expected to be a pass-first point guard in an offense filled with guys looking to get 15-20 shots each game (namely Redd and Charlie Villanueva), along with the Bucks desire to also get Bogut the ball more in the post. But in order for Williams to be most effective, he needs to be on a team where he can take plenty of shots, and playing alongside LeBron James in Cleveland was a perfect fit for him.
I do think, however, that the Bucks could have gotten more than Luke Ridnour, the expiring contract of Damon Jones, and Adrian Griffin (who ended up as an assistant coach, not a player) in exchange for Williams and Desmond Mason, so I can’t justify this as a good move. But it did get Williams’ contract (5 years, $43 million left at the time of the trade) off the books. Most felt that the Bucks (under previous general manager Larry Harris) overpaid Williams in the summer of 2007 to prevent him from signing with the Miami Heat.
In Hammond’s first NBA Draft as general manager of the Bucks, I think credit is due. While some consider Joe Alexander (Bucks’ 2008 1st round pick, 8th overall) a disappointment after one season in Milwaukee, more has to be considered before calling it a wasted first-round lottery pick. Sure, D.J. Augustin and Brook Lopez (overall picks 9 and 10 to the Charlotte Bobcats and New Jersey Nets, respectively) had better individual seasons than Alexander, but consider the positions that those two play. Augustin is a point guard, and Lopez is a center, and we had young guys at both positions already in Ramon Sessions and Bogut. Plus, with Alexander’s athleticism, he certainly has a chance to live up to his billing as a top ten pick.
But even if you can’t find a positive in using an 8th overall pick on Alexander, there is no denying that the Bucks came away with one of the two steals in the second round, drafting Luc Richard Mbah a Moute with the 37th overall pick (the other being Mario Chalmers 34th overall to Miami). Mbah a Moute had an outstanding rookie season, defending the other teams’ best perimeter player every game, and showing his versatility by starting 51 games this season at two vastly different positions, shooting guard and power forward.
With Hammond’s second off-season approaching as general manager in Milwaukee, Bucks’ fans should be confident that this team is heading in the right direction for the first time in several years.
Next week I’ll be talking about how the Bucks can improve this summer through free agency, trades, and the draft.
Two of the Bucks top players, Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut, each missed more than half of the team’s games this season. Redd played in only 33 of their 82 games, and has been out since January 24th when he tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee. Bogut was not on the court much more than that, playing in 36 games, missing the majority of the season with a lingering back problem.
And despite those major injuries, the Bucks still finished with eight more wins than last season, due in large part to new head coach Scott Skiles. They were also a legitimate Playoff contender up until the final three weeks of the season, when a stretch of going 4-16 put an end to any thoughts of post-season basketball in Milwaukee in 2009.
But with all things considered, the 2008-09 season was a success, starting with the acquisitions and roster moves of new general manager John Hammond last summer.
First, he turned the terrible contract of Bobby Simmons (had 2 years and $20 million left at the time of the trade) and the incredibly disappointing Yi Jianlian into proven veteran player Richard Jefferson. In terms of straight up talent-for-talent, the Bucks destroyed the New Jersey Nets in this trade. Luckily, Hammond was able to take advantage of a team that was looking to clear salary cap space for the summer of 2010 when LeBron James and other big-name players hit free agency.
And while Simmons continued to prove that he’s one of the worst contracts in the league (7.8 points per game in ’08-09, made $10 million) and Yi showed his second team in two years that he’s a lottery pick bust (8.6 ppg, 38% shooting in ’08-’09), Jefferson played all 82 games for an injury-plagued Milwaukee team, averaged just under 20 points per game, and was by all accounts, the steady presence that kept the Bucks afloat and in the Playoff race through the middle of March.
Additionally last summer, in a move that appeared to be more about team chemistry, Hammond also traded Mo Williams to the Cleveland Cavaliers, only to see Williams become a first-time All-Star this season. But in Milwaukee, Williams was expected to be a pass-first point guard in an offense filled with guys looking to get 15-20 shots each game (namely Redd and Charlie Villanueva), along with the Bucks desire to also get Bogut the ball more in the post. But in order for Williams to be most effective, he needs to be on a team where he can take plenty of shots, and playing alongside LeBron James in Cleveland was a perfect fit for him.
I do think, however, that the Bucks could have gotten more than Luke Ridnour, the expiring contract of Damon Jones, and Adrian Griffin (who ended up as an assistant coach, not a player) in exchange for Williams and Desmond Mason, so I can’t justify this as a good move. But it did get Williams’ contract (5 years, $43 million left at the time of the trade) off the books. Most felt that the Bucks (under previous general manager Larry Harris) overpaid Williams in the summer of 2007 to prevent him from signing with the Miami Heat.
In Hammond’s first NBA Draft as general manager of the Bucks, I think credit is due. While some consider Joe Alexander (Bucks’ 2008 1st round pick, 8th overall) a disappointment after one season in Milwaukee, more has to be considered before calling it a wasted first-round lottery pick. Sure, D.J. Augustin and Brook Lopez (overall picks 9 and 10 to the Charlotte Bobcats and New Jersey Nets, respectively) had better individual seasons than Alexander, but consider the positions that those two play. Augustin is a point guard, and Lopez is a center, and we had young guys at both positions already in Ramon Sessions and Bogut. Plus, with Alexander’s athleticism, he certainly has a chance to live up to his billing as a top ten pick.
But even if you can’t find a positive in using an 8th overall pick on Alexander, there is no denying that the Bucks came away with one of the two steals in the second round, drafting Luc Richard Mbah a Moute with the 37th overall pick (the other being Mario Chalmers 34th overall to Miami). Mbah a Moute had an outstanding rookie season, defending the other teams’ best perimeter player every game, and showing his versatility by starting 51 games this season at two vastly different positions, shooting guard and power forward.
With Hammond’s second off-season approaching as general manager in Milwaukee, Bucks’ fans should be confident that this team is heading in the right direction for the first time in several years.
Next week I’ll be talking about how the Bucks can improve this summer through free agency, trades, and the draft.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
New starting line-up pays off as Bucks defeat Oklahoma City
MILWAUKEE -- After losing four games in a row and nine of their last 10, the Milwaukee Bucks are looking to end the season on a high note. On Saturday night they completed step one of that goal by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-98.
Looking to shake things up, Bucks coach Scott Skiles put together a new starting line-up. He had both of his point guards, Ramon Sessions and Luke Ridnour, starting together in the backcourt. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute also got the nod, starting in place of Charlie Villanueva at power forward.
“We had to change something,” Skiles said. “I probably waited too long. I was probably a little bit too patient with the other (starting line-up), based on the fact that we went 4-16 in our last 20 games coming into tonight. We’ll go the same way on Monday and see what happens.”
Villanueva, who has started 47 games this season, seems to be taking his new assignment in stride.
“I knew since yesterday’s practice (that I was not going to start),” Villanueva said. “I’m actually fine with it. (Coach wanted) to get the second unit going, and have a scorer out there, and that’s what I’m going to bring for the next game if I come off the bench.”
And at least for one game, it worked.
Richard Jefferson scored 12 of Milwaukee’s 22 first quarter points, connecting on five of his eight shots, including 2-3 from three-point range.
Villanueva came off the bench and provided a powerful scoring punch, scoring 10 points in the second quarter and playing all 12 minutes.
Milwaukee carried a five point lead into the locker room at halftime, but the Bucks were aware that the third quarter had been an issue for them recently.
Tonight, however, was another story. Milwaukee opened the second half on an 11-2 run, seven of those points coming from Jefferson.
Oklahoma City responded with a 6-0 run, with Jeff Green and Kevin Durant hitting back-to-back three’s.
But the Bucks picked up where they left off, outscoring the Thunder 37-21 in the third quarter, and assisting on 11 of their 13 made field goals.
“That (the third quarter) was the biggest key to the game,” Skiles said. “It was important we came out and imposed our will, and we did. We took control of the game there and never let them back in it.”
Sessions knew his team needed to start performing better coming out of the halftime break.
“It’s been a while since we got off to a great start like that (in the second half),” Sessions said. “I feel like that was the key to the game. We got out to a nice little run and was able to maintain it.”
Sessions finished one assist shy of another double-double, scoring 10 points and dishing nine assists.
Jefferson was one rebound away from a double-double of his own. He had a game-high 35 points, tying his season-high, to go along with nine rebounds and four assists.
Back in the starting line-up, Ridnour didn’t miss a shot, hitting all eight of his field goal attempts, finishing with 18 points and eight assists.
Villanueva also put up strong numbers in his new role, with 14 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
The win also guarantees Milwaukee a winning record at home, improving the team to 21-19 this season at the Bradley Center.
The NBA’s fourth-leading scorer Kevin Durant only had three points in the first quarter for Oklahoma City, but scored six in the opening minutes of the second, and had 16 entering halftime.
But with the Thunder down 21 heading into the fourth, Durant sat out the final quarter, and finished with 19 points, six under his season average.
Shaun Livingston, the fourth overall pick in the 2004 Draft, played in his sixth game with Oklahoma City after being signed on March 31. Livingston tore three ligaments in his left knee in February 2007, and has been attempting to come back ever since. Wearing a large knee brace, the 23-year old point guard played 25 minutes, and was a perfect 7-7 from the floor, scoring 14 points.
“He says that he feels like he’s 90-percent fully healed,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said of Livingston before the game. “With him not playing in roughly two years it’s going to take some time to get the rust off of his game, and I see that happening.”
Saturday was also a homecoming for Oklahoma City’s rookie shooting guard Kyle Weaver. Starting in place of injured Thabo Sefolosha, the Beloit native had 12 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. He scored seven of the Thunder’s final nine points.
“It feels almost like a high school game,” Weaver said, who estimated that there were “a couple hundred” friends, family, and fans in attendance. He added, “Hopefully I don’t miss the bus.”
The Bucks have two games left on the schedule, including their home finale on Monday against the Orlando Magic. When the two teams squared off less than one month ago at the Bradley Center, Orlando dismantled Milwaukee 106-80. The Bucks then close out their season on Wednesday night in Indiana against the Pacers.
Looking to shake things up, Bucks coach Scott Skiles put together a new starting line-up. He had both of his point guards, Ramon Sessions and Luke Ridnour, starting together in the backcourt. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute also got the nod, starting in place of Charlie Villanueva at power forward.
“We had to change something,” Skiles said. “I probably waited too long. I was probably a little bit too patient with the other (starting line-up), based on the fact that we went 4-16 in our last 20 games coming into tonight. We’ll go the same way on Monday and see what happens.”
Villanueva, who has started 47 games this season, seems to be taking his new assignment in stride.
“I knew since yesterday’s practice (that I was not going to start),” Villanueva said. “I’m actually fine with it. (Coach wanted) to get the second unit going, and have a scorer out there, and that’s what I’m going to bring for the next game if I come off the bench.”
And at least for one game, it worked.
Richard Jefferson scored 12 of Milwaukee’s 22 first quarter points, connecting on five of his eight shots, including 2-3 from three-point range.
Villanueva came off the bench and provided a powerful scoring punch, scoring 10 points in the second quarter and playing all 12 minutes.
Milwaukee carried a five point lead into the locker room at halftime, but the Bucks were aware that the third quarter had been an issue for them recently.
Tonight, however, was another story. Milwaukee opened the second half on an 11-2 run, seven of those points coming from Jefferson.
Oklahoma City responded with a 6-0 run, with Jeff Green and Kevin Durant hitting back-to-back three’s.
But the Bucks picked up where they left off, outscoring the Thunder 37-21 in the third quarter, and assisting on 11 of their 13 made field goals.
“That (the third quarter) was the biggest key to the game,” Skiles said. “It was important we came out and imposed our will, and we did. We took control of the game there and never let them back in it.”
Sessions knew his team needed to start performing better coming out of the halftime break.
“It’s been a while since we got off to a great start like that (in the second half),” Sessions said. “I feel like that was the key to the game. We got out to a nice little run and was able to maintain it.”
Sessions finished one assist shy of another double-double, scoring 10 points and dishing nine assists.
Jefferson was one rebound away from a double-double of his own. He had a game-high 35 points, tying his season-high, to go along with nine rebounds and four assists.
Back in the starting line-up, Ridnour didn’t miss a shot, hitting all eight of his field goal attempts, finishing with 18 points and eight assists.
Villanueva also put up strong numbers in his new role, with 14 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
The win also guarantees Milwaukee a winning record at home, improving the team to 21-19 this season at the Bradley Center.
The NBA’s fourth-leading scorer Kevin Durant only had three points in the first quarter for Oklahoma City, but scored six in the opening minutes of the second, and had 16 entering halftime.
But with the Thunder down 21 heading into the fourth, Durant sat out the final quarter, and finished with 19 points, six under his season average.
Shaun Livingston, the fourth overall pick in the 2004 Draft, played in his sixth game with Oklahoma City after being signed on March 31. Livingston tore three ligaments in his left knee in February 2007, and has been attempting to come back ever since. Wearing a large knee brace, the 23-year old point guard played 25 minutes, and was a perfect 7-7 from the floor, scoring 14 points.
“He says that he feels like he’s 90-percent fully healed,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said of Livingston before the game. “With him not playing in roughly two years it’s going to take some time to get the rust off of his game, and I see that happening.”
Saturday was also a homecoming for Oklahoma City’s rookie shooting guard Kyle Weaver. Starting in place of injured Thabo Sefolosha, the Beloit native had 12 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. He scored seven of the Thunder’s final nine points.
“It feels almost like a high school game,” Weaver said, who estimated that there were “a couple hundred” friends, family, and fans in attendance. He added, “Hopefully I don’t miss the bus.”
The Bucks have two games left on the schedule, including their home finale on Monday against the Orlando Magic. When the two teams squared off less than one month ago at the Bradley Center, Orlando dismantled Milwaukee 106-80. The Bucks then close out their season on Wednesday night in Indiana against the Pacers.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Grizzlies outscore Milwaukee by 20 in second quarter en route to win
MILWAUKEE -- With a 107-102 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, the Milwaukee Bucks are one step closer to being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
Milwaukee carried a four-point lead into the second quarter, but a 20-6 Memphis run to begin the next period jump-started the Grizzlies. They shot 10-15 from the field in the quarter, outscoring the Bucks 38-18 in the second, and led the rest of the way.
The Bucks made it interesting in the closing minutes, cutting a 10-point Memphis lead with less than two minutes down to three, but after a strong defensive stand and an opportunity to tie the game, Charlie Bell shot an air-ball from the corner, allowing O.J. Mayo to seal it for the Grizzlies from the free throw line.
“We didn’t come ready to play,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles said after the game. “Our defense was poor. They had the most energy and they deserved to win.”
Bucks guard Charlie Bell agreed.
“We had no life,” Bell said. “No energy. They came out and pretty much did what they wanted to do.”
Milwaukee was out-rebounded 41-28, and also shot 13 fewer free throws than Memphis.
The Bucks were led offensively by Richard Jefferson with 24 points. Charlie Bell added 23 points, connecting on 5-8 from beyond the arc.
Ramon Sessions followed up his triple-double against the Lakers with a double-double, scoring 16 points and dishing 11 assists.
Milwaukee was in the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff standings at the beginning of March, but have only won three of their last 16 games. They are now five games back of the eighth-place Detroit Pistons with only four games left, and are on the verge of officially spending another post-season watching from home.
“The beginning of March we were right there,” Bell said. “We had a nice feeling. We thought we could make a run. March just fell apart on the defensive end. Offensively we just hit a rut. We’ve got to do a better job finishing out these games and get some wins.”
Despite Memphis having the fifth worst record in the league, they have now won four straight games.
“The confidence level is really high right now,” Grizzlies rookie O.J. Mayo said. “It’s something we can carry into next year to show people what we are capable of doing.”
Mayo, who will receive strong consideration for Rookie of the Year, had 0 points at halftime on 0-4 shooting. He finished with 12 points and seven assists.
Another Memphis rookie, Marc Gasol, recorded his 17th double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds. He was 11-14 from the free throw line, a career-high in both makes and attempts.
“It’s huge having a guy that draws so much attention down low like Marc (Gasol),” Grizzlies second-year guard Mike Conley said.
Conley had a team-high nine assists to go along with 17 points and six rebounds.
Rudy Gay poured in a game-high 26 points, 12 of which came in the Grizzlies’ commanding second quarter.
Earlier in the day, the Bucks officially announced that Andrew Bogut would not return this season as he continues to rest a lingering back injury. Bogut has missed over half of the team’s games this year, averaging 11.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in 36 games.
Milwaukee also signed three-point shooting specialist Salim Stoudamire to a multi-year contract last night. Stoudamire was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the first pick of the second round (31st overall) in the 2005 NBA Draft, but has not played this season. He was not in uniform for tonight’s game.
With only four regular season games remaining, the Bucks have three days off before hosting the Atlanta Hawks at the Bradley Center on Wednesday night. Atlanta is currently fourth in the East, and will more than likely host either the Philadelphia 76ers or Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Milwaukee carried a four-point lead into the second quarter, but a 20-6 Memphis run to begin the next period jump-started the Grizzlies. They shot 10-15 from the field in the quarter, outscoring the Bucks 38-18 in the second, and led the rest of the way.
The Bucks made it interesting in the closing minutes, cutting a 10-point Memphis lead with less than two minutes down to three, but after a strong defensive stand and an opportunity to tie the game, Charlie Bell shot an air-ball from the corner, allowing O.J. Mayo to seal it for the Grizzlies from the free throw line.
“We didn’t come ready to play,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles said after the game. “Our defense was poor. They had the most energy and they deserved to win.”
Bucks guard Charlie Bell agreed.
“We had no life,” Bell said. “No energy. They came out and pretty much did what they wanted to do.”
Milwaukee was out-rebounded 41-28, and also shot 13 fewer free throws than Memphis.
The Bucks were led offensively by Richard Jefferson with 24 points. Charlie Bell added 23 points, connecting on 5-8 from beyond the arc.
Ramon Sessions followed up his triple-double against the Lakers with a double-double, scoring 16 points and dishing 11 assists.
Milwaukee was in the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff standings at the beginning of March, but have only won three of their last 16 games. They are now five games back of the eighth-place Detroit Pistons with only four games left, and are on the verge of officially spending another post-season watching from home.
“The beginning of March we were right there,” Bell said. “We had a nice feeling. We thought we could make a run. March just fell apart on the defensive end. Offensively we just hit a rut. We’ve got to do a better job finishing out these games and get some wins.”
Despite Memphis having the fifth worst record in the league, they have now won four straight games.
“The confidence level is really high right now,” Grizzlies rookie O.J. Mayo said. “It’s something we can carry into next year to show people what we are capable of doing.”
Mayo, who will receive strong consideration for Rookie of the Year, had 0 points at halftime on 0-4 shooting. He finished with 12 points and seven assists.
Another Memphis rookie, Marc Gasol, recorded his 17th double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds. He was 11-14 from the free throw line, a career-high in both makes and attempts.
“It’s huge having a guy that draws so much attention down low like Marc (Gasol),” Grizzlies second-year guard Mike Conley said.
Conley had a team-high nine assists to go along with 17 points and six rebounds.
Rudy Gay poured in a game-high 26 points, 12 of which came in the Grizzlies’ commanding second quarter.
Earlier in the day, the Bucks officially announced that Andrew Bogut would not return this season as he continues to rest a lingering back injury. Bogut has missed over half of the team’s games this year, averaging 11.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in 36 games.
Milwaukee also signed three-point shooting specialist Salim Stoudamire to a multi-year contract last night. Stoudamire was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the first pick of the second round (31st overall) in the 2005 NBA Draft, but has not played this season. He was not in uniform for tonight’s game.
With only four regular season games remaining, the Bucks have three days off before hosting the Atlanta Hawks at the Bradley Center on Wednesday night. Atlanta is currently fourth in the East, and will more than likely host either the Philadelphia 76ers or Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Blazers open second half on 14-3 run to help defeat the Bucks
MILWAUKEE – The Portland Trail Blazers kicked off the second half on a 14-3 scoring run and led the rest of the way, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 96-84 on Saturday night at the Bradley Center.
It was a tale of two halves for the Bucks, as Milwaukee jumped out to an early 9-0 lead, and led the entire first half. But Portland countered with a 9-0 run of their own to start the second half, outscoring the Bucks 30-17 in the third quarter.
“First half we had some defensive sequences that were as good as we’ve had all year,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles said after the game. “And then we started the third quarter flat. They picked up their level of intensity. We seemed like we wanted to ease our way into the quarter. Our defense broke down and, as so often happens when you come out like that, you can’t get it back.”
Milwaukee shot nearly 45 percent in the first half, but the third quarter proved to be their demise. The Bucks shot only 25 percent in the third on 5-20 shooting, turned the ball over six times, and were out-rebounded 14-7.
Blazers guard Steve Blake scored 12 of his 21 in the third quarter. He also tied his season-high with six three-pointers in the game, three of which came in the third quarter.
“For whatever reason, and we’ve done this a bunch of times this year, we come out to start the half and don’t have much,” Skiles said. “In the third quarter, we were very casual, very careless. It’s very difficult then once the momentum starts going to get it back.”
Frustration began to boil over for Milwaukee in the second half, as both Keith Bogans and Scott Skiles were issued technical fouls for arguing with the officials.
Portland head coach Nate McMillan sensed the momentum shifting to his team.
“They turned the ball over five times in the third quarter early, and we scored off of that,” McMillan said after the game. “We kept our heads with the physical play. We played through it and we executed, and we had a 30-point quarter.”
Charlie Villanueva scored 20 of his team-high 26 points in the second half, and also led the Bucks with nine rebounds.
Richard Jefferson added 16 points for Milwaukee, but was disappointed with his play.
“I haven’t played as well as I would’ve liked in the second half,” Jefferson said. “I have to play better down the stretch, and I haven’t done that the past few games.”
Jefferson added, “We didn’t come out and play the way we needed to. Steve Blake hit some big shots. I think they kinda took the momentum going into the second half and just carried it over.”
Portland’s two-time All-Star Brandon Roy had a game-high 30 points, and also contributed eight rebounds and a team-high seven assists.
“He (Roy) is a very good player,” Bucks rookie Luc Richard Mbah a Moute said, who guarded Roy most of the game. “We put a lot of pressure on him, but he made tough shots. He just had a good night tonight.”
Portland coach Nate McMillan said, “In the first half, he (Roy) could not hit a shot and I told him to stay with it. We need him to play well, and he stayed with it. He was able to get one to go, got his confidence, and started to open up that floor.”
Starting in place of former number one overall pick Greg Oden, former Buck Joel Przybilla had a game-high 14 rebounds.
Oden appeared in his third game back tonight after injuring his left knee in February. Coming off the bench, he scored two points and grabbed three rebounds, but also had four turnovers and five fouls in just over nine minutes on the floor.
With the loss, the Bucks concluded their season-long six-game home stand with a 2-4 record, but Richard Jefferson didn’t sound too discouraged.
“Look at the home stand, look at the people that we played against,” Jefferson said. “We played against some quality teams. We didn’t play as well as we would have liked. Just because we didn’t get it done tonight, I still think that we have positive things that we’ve done here.”
Milwaukee drops to 31-40 on the season with 11 games to go, but did not lose any ground in their attempt to re-claim the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, as Chicago and Charlotte also each lost. The Bucks remain one and a half games back of Chicago for the final spot in the East, and now head on a four-game road trip to Toronto, Orlando, Miami, and New Jersey. The team has three full days of rest before the game in Toronto on Wednesday night.
It was a tale of two halves for the Bucks, as Milwaukee jumped out to an early 9-0 lead, and led the entire first half. But Portland countered with a 9-0 run of their own to start the second half, outscoring the Bucks 30-17 in the third quarter.
“First half we had some defensive sequences that were as good as we’ve had all year,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles said after the game. “And then we started the third quarter flat. They picked up their level of intensity. We seemed like we wanted to ease our way into the quarter. Our defense broke down and, as so often happens when you come out like that, you can’t get it back.”
Milwaukee shot nearly 45 percent in the first half, but the third quarter proved to be their demise. The Bucks shot only 25 percent in the third on 5-20 shooting, turned the ball over six times, and were out-rebounded 14-7.
Blazers guard Steve Blake scored 12 of his 21 in the third quarter. He also tied his season-high with six three-pointers in the game, three of which came in the third quarter.
“For whatever reason, and we’ve done this a bunch of times this year, we come out to start the half and don’t have much,” Skiles said. “In the third quarter, we were very casual, very careless. It’s very difficult then once the momentum starts going to get it back.”
Frustration began to boil over for Milwaukee in the second half, as both Keith Bogans and Scott Skiles were issued technical fouls for arguing with the officials.
Portland head coach Nate McMillan sensed the momentum shifting to his team.
“They turned the ball over five times in the third quarter early, and we scored off of that,” McMillan said after the game. “We kept our heads with the physical play. We played through it and we executed, and we had a 30-point quarter.”
Charlie Villanueva scored 20 of his team-high 26 points in the second half, and also led the Bucks with nine rebounds.
Richard Jefferson added 16 points for Milwaukee, but was disappointed with his play.
“I haven’t played as well as I would’ve liked in the second half,” Jefferson said. “I have to play better down the stretch, and I haven’t done that the past few games.”
Jefferson added, “We didn’t come out and play the way we needed to. Steve Blake hit some big shots. I think they kinda took the momentum going into the second half and just carried it over.”
Portland’s two-time All-Star Brandon Roy had a game-high 30 points, and also contributed eight rebounds and a team-high seven assists.
“He (Roy) is a very good player,” Bucks rookie Luc Richard Mbah a Moute said, who guarded Roy most of the game. “We put a lot of pressure on him, but he made tough shots. He just had a good night tonight.”
Portland coach Nate McMillan said, “In the first half, he (Roy) could not hit a shot and I told him to stay with it. We need him to play well, and he stayed with it. He was able to get one to go, got his confidence, and started to open up that floor.”
Starting in place of former number one overall pick Greg Oden, former Buck Joel Przybilla had a game-high 14 rebounds.
Oden appeared in his third game back tonight after injuring his left knee in February. Coming off the bench, he scored two points and grabbed three rebounds, but also had four turnovers and five fouls in just over nine minutes on the floor.
With the loss, the Bucks concluded their season-long six-game home stand with a 2-4 record, but Richard Jefferson didn’t sound too discouraged.
“Look at the home stand, look at the people that we played against,” Jefferson said. “We played against some quality teams. We didn’t play as well as we would have liked. Just because we didn’t get it done tonight, I still think that we have positive things that we’ve done here.”
Milwaukee drops to 31-40 on the season with 11 games to go, but did not lose any ground in their attempt to re-claim the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, as Chicago and Charlotte also each lost. The Bucks remain one and a half games back of Chicago for the final spot in the East, and now head on a four-game road trip to Toronto, Orlando, Miami, and New Jersey. The team has three full days of rest before the game in Toronto on Wednesday night.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Dwight Howard scores 18 in the first quarter as Magic rout Bucks
MILWAUKEE – The Orlando Magic led by 16 after the first quarter and by 30 at halftime, cruising to a 106-80 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night at the Bradley Center.
Orlando finished the first quarter on a 24-7 run, led by Dwight Howard who scored the final 10 points during that stretch. Howard already had 18 points and six rebounds at the end of the first quarter.
“We really didn’t compete at all,” Bucks Coach Scott Skiles said after the game. “We weren’t anywhere near ready and that’s my responsibility.”
Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva added, “The way we played today wasn’t acceptable at all. We came out flat from the start of the game. They’re a very good ballclub and you dig yourself a hole like that and it’s very tough to come out of it.”
Villanueva led the Bucks with 17 points, but along with the rest of the starters, did not play at all in the fourth quarter.
Milwaukee entered tonight’s game coming off a huge win over the defending champion Boston Celtics on Sunday, but Coach Skiles noticed a pattern from his team following wins this season.
“This year a little bit what we’ve done is followed up a big win with a celebratory attitude and sometimes it’s spilled over into the next game,” Skiles said in his post-game press conference. “We had tremendous difficulty yesterday in practice getting any focus and it carried over into tonight.”
The loss by the Bucks, accompanied by back-to-back wins by the Chicago Bulls, has placed Milwaukee a game and a half behind Chicago for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. And with 12 games remaining on the schedule, the Bucks will face Orlando another two times as the team vies for the post-season.
“We’re still on a mission,” Villanueva said. “Still trying to accomplish, trying to go to the playoffs. We’ll remember this loss, and whenever we play them (Orlando) again, we’ll try to come out and have a chip on our shoulder.”
Richard Jefferson scored 13, and Dan Gadzuric and Luke Ridnour each added 10 points off the bench. Ramon Sessions had a team-high seven rebounds and five assists.
Dwight Howard had a game-high 28 points and 12 rebounds en route to his 53rd double-double of the season. Howard ranks second in the league in double-double’s, and is now only one behind New York’s David Lee.
Hedo Turkoglu added 14 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists for the Magic. Rashard Lewis and rookie Courtney Lee also each chipped in 13 points.
Orlando improves to 50-18 on the season, and is now only a half-game back of the Boston Celtics for the second seed in the East.
Milwaukee drops to 31-39 overall, and to 2-3 on its current season-long six-game home stand. The team has the next two days off before hosting the Portland Trailblazers on Saturday night to close out the home stand.
Orlando finished the first quarter on a 24-7 run, led by Dwight Howard who scored the final 10 points during that stretch. Howard already had 18 points and six rebounds at the end of the first quarter.
“We really didn’t compete at all,” Bucks Coach Scott Skiles said after the game. “We weren’t anywhere near ready and that’s my responsibility.”
Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva added, “The way we played today wasn’t acceptable at all. We came out flat from the start of the game. They’re a very good ballclub and you dig yourself a hole like that and it’s very tough to come out of it.”
Villanueva led the Bucks with 17 points, but along with the rest of the starters, did not play at all in the fourth quarter.
Milwaukee entered tonight’s game coming off a huge win over the defending champion Boston Celtics on Sunday, but Coach Skiles noticed a pattern from his team following wins this season.
“This year a little bit what we’ve done is followed up a big win with a celebratory attitude and sometimes it’s spilled over into the next game,” Skiles said in his post-game press conference. “We had tremendous difficulty yesterday in practice getting any focus and it carried over into tonight.”
The loss by the Bucks, accompanied by back-to-back wins by the Chicago Bulls, has placed Milwaukee a game and a half behind Chicago for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. And with 12 games remaining on the schedule, the Bucks will face Orlando another two times as the team vies for the post-season.
“We’re still on a mission,” Villanueva said. “Still trying to accomplish, trying to go to the playoffs. We’ll remember this loss, and whenever we play them (Orlando) again, we’ll try to come out and have a chip on our shoulder.”
Richard Jefferson scored 13, and Dan Gadzuric and Luke Ridnour each added 10 points off the bench. Ramon Sessions had a team-high seven rebounds and five assists.
Dwight Howard had a game-high 28 points and 12 rebounds en route to his 53rd double-double of the season. Howard ranks second in the league in double-double’s, and is now only one behind New York’s David Lee.
Hedo Turkoglu added 14 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists for the Magic. Rashard Lewis and rookie Courtney Lee also each chipped in 13 points.
Orlando improves to 50-18 on the season, and is now only a half-game back of the Boston Celtics for the second seed in the East.
Milwaukee drops to 31-39 overall, and to 2-3 on its current season-long six-game home stand. The team has the next two days off before hosting the Portland Trailblazers on Saturday night to close out the home stand.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
