tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4268243588791469862024-03-05T09:36:15.979-06:00boederbucks...a place for the bucks and basketballalexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-32829241669571017342007-10-31T09:36:00.000-05:002007-10-31T10:11:16.431-05:00We're Moving! New Blog...After spending a great summer and start of fall here I am moving on to a new project: <a href="http://brewhoop.com/">Brew Hoop</a>.<br /><br />The new site is a boederbucks/<a href="http://bucksfans.blogspot.com/">Just Another Bucks Fan</a> collaboration, so I'm excited to join forces with Frank, who has already written a <a href="http://brewhoop.com/storyonly/2007/10/30/153414/69">welcome message</a> and <a href="http://brewhoop.com/storyonly/2007/10/30/20527/269">Wednesday notes</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://brewhoop.com/">Brew Hoop</a> is also a part of <a href="http://sbnation.com/">SB Nation</a>, a network which already includes some of the top basketball blogs like <a href="http://www.blogabull.com/">Blog A Bull</a>, <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/">Blazers Edge</a>, and <a href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Of Mind</a>.<br /><br />boederbucks will stay here as a reference. And here's an <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/sportsblogs/brewhoop.xml">RSS Feed</a> for the new blog... Hope to see you there.alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-84891877462471615242007-10-29T23:54:00.000-05:002007-10-30T09:07:26.576-05:00Mason, Yi To StartThe big news is that <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=680008"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Desmond Mason</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span> will start for the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span></a> in the opener, as reported in the Journal Sentinel.<br /><blockquote>Throughout the exhibition season, Krystkowiak downplayed the importance of starting. In fact, he didn't make a big deal of informing his players as to who would be starting, merely mentioning it in an off-handed way, during a drill in which the Bucks were playing defense against some of the things Orlando does on offense.<br /><br />"I remember playing," Krystkowiak said. "So I understand the starting talk. But the five starters don't mean they're our best five players. It's not a horse race to see which guy started, which guy had the most effective preseason. There's been hundreds of cases where a guy just makes sense to get out there and start.</blockquote>I've been pretty consistent in my <a href="http://boederbucks.blogspot.com/2007/10/ranking-bucks-options-at-power-forward.html">support of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span> starting</a> at power forward because he's the superior player as things stand right now and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>has enough pressure to perform as it is. However, both will see similar minutes and Coach <span style="font-weight: bold;">Krystkowiak</span> seems to be going out of his way to explain <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva </span>are in this together and who starts isn't of huge importance. If <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>struggles, we'll probably see that who starts becomes a little more important but at this point I'm not terribly worried about it.alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-27064073697136469282007-10-29T23:39:00.001-05:002007-10-30T08:40:46.612-05:00Commenting On A PreviewThe Bratwurst spent some time giving a rundown of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span>' roster with <a href="http://thebratwurst.com/?p=190">player-by-player previews</a>.<br /><br />A sample:<br /><blockquote>"Mo Williams: I’ve never really bought into the whole “pure point guard” vs. “shoot-first point guard” thing for two reasons: first, the most important thing is for the team to score more points than the opposition and, second, there isnt really any good way to objectively measure how good a passer a player is. Assists, for example, has as much to do with the point guards’ pass as it does with the finishing ability of the recipient and the decision of the official scorer. So does Mo shoot too much? Last season he took the 5th most shots per 40 minutes of all point guards (behind Arenas, Parker, Cassell and Davis) with 16.87, but the difference between him and the #21 point guard (Stephon Marbury) was only 2.81 shots per 40! That’s less than 1 per quarter! Also, Mo had several games where he was the only starter in uniform, so his scoring was necessary. No, his shooting was fine. Mo’s new contract is reasonable given his production and age, and he still has room to improve. Point guards often take years and years to reach their peaks, so while Williams will most likely plateau as a slightly below-all-star level player, there is always the outside chance that he could have a Chanuncey Billups-like career."</blockquote>Good stuff as always. I tend to agree that while there are different types of players at every position who possess different strengths and weaknesses, and point guard is no different, it is sometimes an exaggerated concept. If <span style="font-weight: bold;">Williams </span>is going to help the team score, and use his strengths to do so, he shouldn't be condemned. Not everyone can be like <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jason Kidd</span> or <span style="font-weight: bold;">Steve Nash</span> and I'd sure rather have <span style="font-weight: bold;">Williams </span>than <span style="font-weight: bold;">Brevin Knight</span>, or a number of other "pure point guards" running <span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee</span>'s show.<br /><br />That said, hopefully he will continue to play to his strengths while developing better distribution skills. Like it was noted, point guards take time to progress, so it's certainly not out of the question, and in fact is likely that <span style="font-weight: bold;">Williams </span>will develop as a passer. That shows that players shouldn't be labeled so generically, because labels stick, but players change.alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-46583360374523325282007-10-29T11:34:00.000-05:002007-10-29T15:22:55.852-05:00Adjusted Plus-Minus Scores<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">82games.com's </span><a href="http://82games.com/ilardi1.htm"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Steve Ilardi unveils adjusted plus-minus scores</span></a><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> for the 2006-07 season.</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10;" ></span></p><blockquote>"This is exactly what the adjusted plus-minus stat does: it reflects the impact of each player on his team's bottom line (scoring margin), after controlling statistically for the strength of every teammate and every opponent during each minute he's on the court." </blockquote>That's just a very small part of the explanation, so it's worth reading some of the details. For instance, the 2005-06 season is given some weight and last year's playoffs were doubly weighted.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Redd</span> is ranked 20th among players who played at least 20 minutes per game out of 175 qualified players.<br /><br />Others of note:<br /><p class="MsoNormal">63/175. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew Bogut</span><br />115/175. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Bell</span><br />124/175. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mo Williams</span><br />170/175. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Desmond Mason</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span>And some from the under-20 minute group:</p>16/167. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Villanueva</span><br />66/167. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake Voskuhl</span><br />82/167. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dan Gadzuric</span><br />163/167. <span style="font-weight: bold;">David Noel<br /><br /></span>There are noted error margins which Ilardi goes into detail about and might help explain some of the more questionable ratings, such as:<br /><br />17/175. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rajon Rondo</span><br />30/175. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Brad Miller</span><br />41/175. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tim Thomas</span><br />80/175. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Carmelo Anthony</span><br />150/175. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Richard Jefferson</span><br /><br />Like all mathematical statistical measurements, this one doesn't quite answer definitively questions about player rankings, despite what Ilardi says. Adjusted plus-minus ratings are however another valuable tool that one can use in player comparisons.<br /><br />In considering the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span>' ratings, one that jumps out right away is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mason</span>'s, who also had a low, <a href="http://www.82games.com/0607/0607NOK.HTM">-4.9</a> Roland Rating last year. Perhaps more surprising is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Williams</span>' low rating, which contrats his solid <a href="http://www.82games.com/0607/0607MIL.HTM">1.4</a> Roland Rating.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-38358295406461823082007-10-29T11:10:00.000-05:002007-10-29T11:31:40.465-05:00Odds And Wins<p class="MsoNormal">The Painted Area <a href="http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2007/10/2007-08-nba-win-overunder-predictions.html">recently made some over/under picks</a> based on <a href="http://www.sportsbook.com/">Sportsbook</a>.<span style=""> </span>Considering they went 6-1 in their picks last year, it’s probably worth taking a look. <span style=""><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here’s a sample:<br /></p><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"></st1:city></st1:place><blockquote><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">"San Antonio</st1:city></st1:place>: Over 54.5 (58 wins last year)<br />Just look here. Since Tim Duncan entered the NBA in 1997, the Spurs have won at least 56 every year (if you pro-rate the lockout season) except 1999-00, when they won 53. Further, they have won at least 58 for seven straight seasons. I'm gonna keep riding this horse until I get thrown off."</blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal">The author doesn’t make a pick for the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span>, who are listed as 36.5 in the article but are now at <a href="http://www.sportsbook.com/sportsbook/livelines.php?st=203">35.5</a>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here are a few other <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span><span>'</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>mentions:</p> <ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Redd</span> is 15-1 to win the scoring title and 75-1 to win the MVP. </li></ul> <ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew Bogut</span> is 35-1 to lead the league in rebounding. </li></ul> <ul><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>are 35-1 to win the Eastern Conference and 100-1 to win the NBA Championship.<br /></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal">My picks on the over/under:</p> <ul><li><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Lakers</span> Under 44.5</li><li>Is this assuming they are going to land <span style="font-weight: bold;">Luol Deng</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ben Gordon</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyrus Thomas</span>?</li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"></p> <ul><li><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Milwaukee</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Bucks</span> Over 35.5</li><li>A <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>blog taking the over on the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span>? (elaboration on<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span> predictions coming soon)<br /></li></ul> <ul><li><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Orlando</st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Magic</span> Under 47.5</li><li>Who inspires confidence other than <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dwight Howard</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rashard Lewis</span> here?</li></ul> <ul><li><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Seattle</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Supersonics</span> Under 27.5</li><li>In the last five years, an average of four teams per year have finished with 27 wins or fewer. <span style=""></span>How do they not fit in that equation?</li></ul> <ul><li><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Toronto</st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Raptors</span> Over 41.5</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chris Bosh</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">T.J. Ford</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jose Calderon</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrea Bargnani</span> are on the way up, not down, right?</li></ul>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-25092260977268924642007-10-27T16:53:00.000-05:002007-10-27T16:58:03.324-05:00HoopsWorld Interviews Redd<a href="http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=5811">HoopsWorld interviewed <span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Redd</span></a> after the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span>’ <a href="http://boederbucks.blogspot.com/2007/10/preseason-game-8-timberwolves-blow-out.html">final preseason game</a>.<br /><br />Perhaps the most interesting part:<br /><blockquote>So, of course, what's this team's biggest weakness right now?<br /><br />"Weakness? Obviously, I think our offense still needs a lot of work. We haven't put all of our sets in yet, so we're still working on our offense. Playing hard and playing defense will cover up the offense on a lot of nights."</blockquote>Well, okay. There have been some offensively challenged preseason games to be sure, but that’s definitely a new take on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>basketball. Here’s to hoping that the offense is indeed the team’s biggest worry.alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-40681634494525297282007-10-26T21:34:00.001-05:002007-10-27T00:38:01.336-05:00Preseason Game #8: Timberwolves Blow Out BucksThe <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=271026016"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Minnesota Timberwolves</span> rocked the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee Bucks</span> 106-85</a> to conclude the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span>' preseason schedule.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Redd</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mo Williams</span> returned in backup roles, and played team-leading 27 minutes each. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew Bogut</span> sat out again with a sprained left wrist.<br /><br />Six stats:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dan Gadzuric</span> started and scored a team-high 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds, four off the offensive glass.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Bell</span> started and scored 10 points on 3-4 shooting in nine minutes.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Villanueva</span> scored six points on 2-7 shooting along with two rebounds in 22 minutes. He had a team-high three steals.</li><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>only had one block total, courtesy of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Redd</span>. The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Timberwolves </span>only had two blocks as a team.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mo Williams </span>scored eight points and had six assists and two steals in 27 points. He turned the ball over five times.</li><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Timberwolves</span> shot 32-49 (.653) from the field and 4-6 (.667) from the three-point line.</li></ol>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-60444676294618668522007-10-26T18:55:00.000-05:002007-10-27T00:14:31.674-05:00More Rookie RankingsNBA.com's <a href="http://www.nba.com/rookies/rankings.html">Dave McMenamin got into the rookie rankings</a> party with a top ten, plus ten.<br /><br />It's a very different list than Burns', as McMenamin based his rankings only off preseason performances. As such, he is forced to make some interesting choices, like ranking <span style="font-weight: bold;">Aaron Gray</span> fifth.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span> doesn't make the first ten, instead falling into the alphabetically listed "next ten."alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-86004531753460474002007-10-26T12:49:00.000-05:002007-10-26T13:20:58.779-05:00Rookie RankingsSI.com's Marty Burns <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/marty_burns/10/25/impact.rookies/index.html">ranked ten impact rookies</a> for this year. It's not exactly a preseason Rookie of the Year list, because he said that his number one, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Luis Scola</span>, probably won't win the award. He rates <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span> number nine.<br /><br />A sample:<br /><blockquote>"But he's been up and down in preseason, and the Bucks already have Charlie Villanueva at the power forward position. With the Bucks seeking to return to the playoffs, the guess here is that Yi finds himself in the same limited role as Law."</blockquote>While that's not quite what voters on this site think, judging by the last couple games, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>does seem most likely to come off the bench. But he's going to see at least 20 minutes per game, which is probably more of an impact than Burns' number eight choice, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Joakim Noah</span>.alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-35099464689525939972007-10-26T12:23:00.000-05:002007-10-27T13:08:41.132-05:00Roster Talk<a href="http://www.hoopshype.com/rumors.htm">HoopsHype</a> found a couple articles speculating about the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span>' looming roster decisions:<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.charlotte.com/sports_breaking/story/334141.html">Charlotte Observer</a><a href="http://www.charlotte.com/sports_breaking/story/334141.html"> noted</a> the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>might cut <span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Ruffin</span>.<br /><blockquote>"NBA teams have until Friday to trim their rosters to 15 or fewer players. There's been some speculation the Milwaukee Bucks might cut Michael Ruffin, a player Vincent wanted over the summer. Still, no roster spot means no wiggle room for the Bobcats."</blockquote>With the tough-luck <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bobcats </span>already witnessing big injuries to<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Sean May</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Adam Morrison</span>, they could use a forward. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ruffin </span>has played about as well as <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake Voskuhl </span>this preseason, which is to say he's been borderline adequate.<br /><br />Meanwhile, <a href="http://my.journaltimes.com/post/woelfel-world-of-sports/news_is_good_for_bogut_bucks.html">Gery Woelfel writes</a> about <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ramon Sessions</span>' possible future with the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span>. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://my.journaltimes.com/post/woelfel-world-of-sports/news_is_good_for_bogut_bucks.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a><br />The Bucks are expected to keep second-round draft pick Ramon Sessions. Sessions, a point guard, has been solid throughout training camp. <p></p><blockquote>"It is believed Sessions will start the season with the Bucks and then around the second week of November will likely be assigned to Tulsa, the Bucks' D-League affiliate."</blockquote><p></p><blockquote></blockquote><p>I liked the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sessions </span><span>pick </span>on draft day and nothing I've seen so far has dissuaded me of that opinion. Then again, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Royal Ivey </span>has been one of the most pleasant preseason surprises so there doesn't appear to be a lot of point guard minutes available for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sessions </span>yet. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sessions </span>is averaging the <a href="http://www.nba.com/bucks/stats/index.html">fewest minutes per gam</a><a href="http://www.nba.com/bucks/stats/index.html">e</a> of any <span style="font-weight: bold;">Buck </span>this preseason.<br /></p>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-7048997257136318022007-10-25T22:22:00.000-05:002007-10-26T10:45:11.169-05:00Preseason Game #7: Bulls Defeat BucksThe <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=271025004"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chicago Bulls</span> beat the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee Bucks</span> 97-81</a> on Thursday night.<br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>tried a very different rotation, with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Redd, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mo Williams</span><span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew Bogut</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Awvee Storey</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Ruffin</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>not playing.<br /><br />Six statistics:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Villanueva</span> started and scored a team-high 19 points on 6-10 shooting in 27 minutes. He also led the team in rebounds with eight and blocks with two.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bobby Simmons </span>scored just three points on 1-5 shooting in 28 minutes. He committed a team-high four turnovers.</li><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>did not win any quarters, tying the second quarter 22-22 and losing the other three quarters.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">David Noel </span>played 25 minutes off the bench and scored five points on 2-7 shooting. He was the only <span style="font-weight: bold;">Buck </span>to not turn the ball over. </li><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>had fewer team rebounds (38-32), assists (24-18), steals (10-4), blocks (8-3), and committed more turnovers (20-15). They also shot a worse percentage from the field (.494-.433), and from the free-throw line (.684-.621).</li><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>shot 5-11 (.455) on three-pointers.</li></ol>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-74953802012333718042007-10-24T12:47:00.000-05:002007-10-24T13:10:47.108-05:00Preseason Game #6: Nuggets Top Bucks<p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/boxscores/2007/10/23/23339_boxscore.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Denver Nuggets</span> beat the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee Bucks</span> 114-102</a> on Tuesday night.<span style=""> </span>If the team’s <a href="http://boederbucks.blogspot.com/2007/10/preseason-game-4-bucks-defeat.html">previous game</a> was characterized by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span>’s impressive performance, then last night spotlighted the other previously struggling power forward, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Villanueva</span>.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi</span> currently leads <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva </span>by a pretty fair margin in the poll asking who should start at power forward.<span style=""> </span>Most of the votes came after <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi</span>’s big game and before <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span>’s however.<span style=""> </span>I've maintained <a href="http://boederbucks.blogspot.com/2007/10/ranking-bucks-options-at-power-forward.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span> should get the nod</a>.<span style=""> </span>Let’s just hope they both play well at the same time eventually because the up-and-down performances don't distinguish either of them, and make it hard to tell if the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>have no starting power forwards on the roster or two.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Six stats:</p> <ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span> shot 9-16 from the field and scored a team-high 21 points in 29 minutes off the bench.<span style=""> </span>He also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out five assists.<span style=""> </span>His only struggle came from outside, making 1-5 three-pointers.<span style=""> </span>After hitting two out of three from outside in the first preseason game, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span> has made only 3-20 since.</li><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>scored 37 points and allowed 34 in the second quarter, their highest offensive and defensive quarter of the preseason.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Desmond Mason</span> got to the free-throw line 11 times, after getting to the line 12 times in the previous game.<span style=""> </span>He’s 16-23 in the two games.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mo Williams</span> shot 0-5 from the field in 17 minutes before being ejected in the third quarter.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Redd</span> scored 19 points and had a team-high seven assists and 38 minutes played.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Royal Ivey</span> scored 10 points, shot 5-6 from the free-throw line, dished out two assists, and didn’t turn the ball over in 22 minutes.</li></ol>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-2104403755532885792007-10-21T11:03:00.000-05:002007-10-22T11:27:41.103-05:00Preseason Game #5: Bucks Defeat TimberwolvesThe <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/boxscores/2007/10/20/23329_boxscore.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee Bucks</span> topped the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Minnesota Timberwolves</span> 106-97</a> to win the 31st annual MACC Fund game on Saturday night.<br /><br />On cue, after <a href="http://boederbucks.blogspot.com/2007/10/ranking-bucks-options-at-power-forward.html">I attempted to anoint <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Villanueva</span></a> the starting power forward, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span> delivered easily his best performance since coming to Milwaukee.<br /><br />As I'll detail below, he had a very good game statistically and all indications are that the numbers aren't lying in this case. We must remember, even though the starters played big minutes last night, that it's still preseason. A lot of young players around the league have put up big numbers in a game here and there this preseason. It is worth getting excited about, just with a little caution. Last night's performance shows that <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi</span> has the potential to be a very capable player on the NBA level. It's safe to say we'll be seeing a lot of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dan Gadzuric</span> on the court (probably not at the same time) this season.<br /><br />Six more stats:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span> scored 15 points on only nine shots from the field in 27 minutes. He also pulled down 12 rebounds and committed just one turnover.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Villanueva </span>scored eight points on 15 shots from the field in 21 minutes and missed all five of his three-point attempts. However, he grabbed 11 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass.</li><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>made twice as many free throws (32) as the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Timberwolves </span>(16).</li><li>The bench (<span style="font-weight: bold;">Desmond Mason</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Bell</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dan Gadzuric</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Royal Ivey</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span>) shot a combined 7-31 (.226) from the field with four assists and eight turnovers.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mo Williams</span> scored 20 points, made all three of his three-point attempts, dished out 12 assists, and committed only one turnover.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Desmond Mason</span> shot just 3-10 from the field but got to the free-throw line 12 times, making eight, in 24 minutes.</li></ol>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-87324901430567215462007-10-20T15:42:00.000-05:002007-10-20T23:49:55.520-05:00Ranking The Bucks' Options At Power Forward<p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if supportFields]><span style="'mso-element:field-begin'"></span><span style="'mso-spacerun:yes'"> </span>SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><span style="'mso-element:field-end'"></span><![endif]-->There’s some debate about who should start at power forward this season, and <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=674878">who should even be called one</a>.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Ruffin</span> is the fourth choice, but despite his willingness to the dirty work, there isn’t quite enough of a case to make for him. The latest is that there are <a href="http://my.journaltimes.com/post/woelfel-world-of-sports/gadzuric_impresses_rookies_get_kicked_around.html">three contenders</a>, so my task is to rank them:<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li>1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Villanueva</span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">One could argue he shouldn’t start.<span style=""> </span>His versatility and lack of go-to game make him a natural to come off the bench.<span style=""> </span>Further, his shooting percentages were <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/splits?statsId=3933">better across the board not starting last year</a>: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/splits?statsId=3933"><span class="WPHyperlink"></span></a> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal">"Starting:<span style=""> </span>FG: .469 FT: .735 3PT: .265</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Off Bench:<span style=""> </span>FG: .471 FT: .925 3PT: .385"</p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Just twenty-three years old, he would only now be a rookie if he had stayed in school four years at <st1:state style="font-weight: bold;"><st1:place>Connecticut</st1:place></st1:state>.<span style=""> </span>But he was NBA-ready out of college as evidenced by his easy second place finish in the <a href="http://www.nba.com/news/awards2006_rookie.html">Rookie of the Year voting in 2005</a>. <a href="http://www.nba.com/news/awards2006_rookie.html"><span class="WPHyperlink"></span></a><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Many were encouraged when <span style="font-weight: bold;">Larry Harris</span> traded away <span style="font-weight: bold;">T.J. Ford</span> because of his deficiencies and injuries.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva </span>proved there were two similar sides of that coin. Injuries stunted his growth last season, but he says his shoulder is <a href="http://boederbucks.blogspot.com/2007/09/villanueva-interviewed.html">“100 % ready.”</a><span style=""> </span>Entering his third year in the NBA, the next step is develop more consistency.<span style=""> The <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3933/injuries.html">injuries</a> are out of his control, but the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>can’t afford to rotate starting lineups so frequently this season.<span style=""> It's important to have a variety of capable lineups, but the starting one should be have consistency.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the end, he’s the most logical choice to start alongside <span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew Bogut</span> in the frontcourt given his superior talent.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span>’s youthful athleticism makes him a good fit on a first-string that will push the ball early and often.<span style=""> </span>His all-around skill set exceeds the other competitors.<span style=""> </span>While others have some specific areas of strength, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva </span>can do a little of everything: rebound, run the floor, and shoot from outside.<span style=""> </span>The realistic best-case scenario for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span> is to duplicate <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span>’s rookie season.<span style=""> </span>Granted, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva </span>has yet to take a firm step forward since his rookie year, but there’s little chance he’ll regress now in his third year. <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Keep in mind, injuries marred a strong start last year by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span>.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?statsId=3933">In November</a>, he averaged 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals and shot .495 from the field.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>He didn’t match any of those statistics in any other month the rest of the season.<span style=""> </span>A fresh beginning and the confidence that comes with a starting role will help him find the fast track he has been on intermittently the last couple years.</p> <ul><li>2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal">At 6'11" and 238 pounds, he’s virtually the identical size of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span>.<span style=""> </span>Contrary to official records, there are some whispers that he might be the about the same age too.<span style=""> </span>One thing we do know is that he’s played four accomplished years of professional basketball in the Chinese Basketball Association.<span style=""> </span>Last year, he averaged <a href="http://www.nba.com/draft2007/profiles/YiJianlian.html">24.9 points and 11.5 rebounds</a>.<span style=""> </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The question is how those numbers will translate to the NBA.<span style=""> </span>If the open scrimmage and preseason is any indication, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>has some ability to score on this new level (though not more than <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva </span>at present), but will frequently be overmatched defensively.<span style=""> </span>In the open scrimmage, he <a href="http://boederbucks.blogspot.com/2007/10/observations-from-open-scrimmage.html">didn't provide any real resistance guarding <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bogut</span></a>.<span style=""> </span>It's not as though Villanueva's expertise is defense either, but he's at least had some experience. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>won’t have to guard centers, but consider some Eastern Conference power forwards that he’d be forced to defend: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kevin Garnett</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chris Bosh</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jermaine O’Neal</span>.<span style=""> </span>While they are lean, they are premier rebounders and aren’t hesitant to attack the basket.<span style=""> </span>Yi's tendency to pick up fouls and turnovers at a high rate so far doesn't inspire confidence either.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>have a powerful offense, but can’t afford to fall behind in the first quarter each night because they have below-average defenders all over the court at the same time. Again, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span> is no defensive star, but letting <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>start and pick up fouls quickly will slow down the tempo of the game, which won’t work in the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span>’ favor.<span style=""> </span>He’s best served to come off the bench, where he can get more playing time against opposing team’s backups.<span style=""> </span>With the pressure of potentially <a href="http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/chinapopulation.htm">1.3 billion</a> onlookers back home and a skeptical American media, the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>need to allow <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>some comfort and room to grow initially.<span style=""> </span>That will ultimately expedite the process of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi</span>’s ascent to legitimate starting-caliber power forward status anyway.<span style=""> </span>And then we can more seriously revisit this debate.</p> <ul><li>3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dan Gadzuric</span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal">If <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gadzuric </span>would have progressed even moderately since his solid <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/stats?statsId=3631">2004-05 campaign</a>, he’d have a decent case to start, like he did 81 times that year for the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span>.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, he’s inexplicably regressed in what should be his prime years.<span style=""> </span>Even his old strengths, like activity on the offensive glass and a high shooting percentage, have taken a turn for the worse.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Then again, his preseason performances give some reason to believe he’s ready to return to form.<span style=""> </span>And coming off a <a href="http://www.nba.com/statistics/sortable_team_statistics/sortable1.html#top">defensively-challenged</a><a href="http://www.nba.com/statistics/sortable_team_statistics/sortable1.html#top"><span class="WPHyperlin1"></span></a><a href="http://www.nba.com/statistics/sortable_team_statistics/sortable1.html#top"> season</a>, a frontcourt of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bogut </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gadzuric </span>is the team’s best bet to create some semblance of a defensive identity.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bogut </span>looks ready to step up as a more consistent scorer, further minimizing the problem of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gadzuric</span>’s offensive limitations.<span style=""> </span>Plus, unlike <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span>, he played better as <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/splits?statsId=3631">a starter last year</a>, averaging 10.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.75 blocks, and 1.13 steals on .508 shooting from the field.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, those statistics need some context.<span style=""> </span>They came at the end of the year and against teams with a combined record of 249-413 (.376).<span style=""> </span>And the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>only went <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?statsId=3631">2-6 in the games</a>.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?statsId=3631"><span class="WPHyperlin1"></span></a> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>have more depth at power forward than center, making <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gadzuric </span>more valuable serving as the team’s primary backup center.<span style=""> </span>A <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bogut</span>/<span style="font-weight: bold;">Gadzuric </span>pairing makes sense depending on matchups and circumstance, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>looks poised to mature into a starting-worthy player before too long, but for now at least, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva </span>is the best power forward available. That might not be ideal, or exciting, but it's reality.<span style=""> </span></p>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-70469753056630023432007-10-20T10:39:00.000-05:002007-10-20T10:44:20.250-05:00Bucks Host Timberwolves In MACC Fund GameThe <a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20071020/MINMIL/preview.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee Bucks</span> welcome the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Minnesota Timberwolves</span></a> to the Bradley Center tonight for the 31st annual MACC Fund Game. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. central time.<br /><br />The MACC Fund, with the support of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span>, has raised huge amounts of money and awareness in an effort to combat cancer. It’s truly a great cause, something the team and city should be very proud of.<br /><br />Just Another Bucks Fan has <a href="http://bucksfans.blogspot.com/2007/10/31st-annual-macc-fund-game.html">a lot more information</a> about the the MACC Fund, the event/game, and how you can make a donation.alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-38816809708687105832007-10-19T14:44:00.000-05:002007-10-19T15:18:11.202-05:00Players Visit MPS<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nba.com/media/bucks/Schoolsupplies10_500_071019.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.nba.com/media/bucks/Schoolsupplies10_500_071019.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span> (Photo by Gary Dineen - Getty Images/NBAE)<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew Bogut</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ramon Sessions</span> visited three <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Milwaukee</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Public Schools</st1:placetype></st1:place> and delivered school supplies on October 18 according to <a href="http://www.nba.com/bucks/photogallery/schoolsupply_071018.html">Bucks.com</a>.</p> <p></p><blockquote>The visit was a key element of the Bucks Read to Achieve program, which encourages students to maintain good attendance and develop a life-long habit of reading.</blockquote><p></p> <p>It's always good to see such notable figures in the city serving the community in multiple ways. Good stuff, guys.<br /></p>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-56075047926755086262007-10-19T14:05:00.000-05:002007-10-19T14:32:25.694-05:00Team USA Talk<p class="MsoNormal">SI.com’s <a href="http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/69097">Chris Mannix speculates</a> about one of my favorite subjects: USA Basketball.<span style=""> </span> </p> <p></p><blockquote><p>After a stellar performance at the FIBA Americas tournament, the opportunity to reclaim the Olympic gold medal is well within the <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place>' grasp. Players recognize it too, which is why the competition for spots on the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> team is going to be as fierce as it has ever been. <o:p></o:p></p> <p>"It's going to be a battle," Bucks guard <strong style="font-weight: normal;">Michael Redd</strong> told me last week. "This is a big Olympics, a big chance for everyone. But I welcome the competition. It's going to make everyone who makes the team better."</p></blockquote><p></p> <p>The gist of the article is that roster spots for <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Beijing</st1:place></st1:city> are in high demand.<span style=""> </span>And there are some big names that are potentially going to be in the mix that didn’t play this summer, like <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dwyane Wade</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gilbert Arenas</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Carlos Boozer</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Elton Brand</span>.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Redd</span>’s spot should be safe after delivering <a href="http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/07/fibaAmer/men/teamPlay/play/p/competitioncode//eventid/3965/langlc/en/playernumber/65126/roundid/3965/season//fe_teamPlay_playStat.html">excellent numbers</a> in his<span style=""> </span>shooting specialty role:</p> <blockquote>FG%: .667<br />3PT%: .453<br />FT%: 1.000</blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyson Chandler</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mike Miller</span> are the popular picks to not return.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dwyane Wade</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Carlos Boozer</span> are the likeliest choices to replace them.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tayshaun Prince</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chauncey Billups</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Deron Williams</span> are probably the only others who are in realdanger, and all three of them played well.<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p>If there isn’t room for three points guards, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Billups</span> might be the one to go, as <span style="font-weight: bold;">Williams</span> picked up where he left off in his coming out party in the playoffs, accumulating as many <a href="http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/07/fibaAmer/men/teamPlay/play/p/eventid/3965/langlc/en/playernumber/44573/roundid/5739/fe_teamPlay_playStat.html">assists</a> as <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jason Kidd</span> (46) in 16 fewer minutes in the FIBA’s. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Billups </span>has high-pressure experience and success including a Finals MVP, and his reputation as a tough defender working in his favor, but <span style="font-weight: bold;">Team USA</span> obviously isn't afraid to go young and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Williams </span>might be the better choice, especially after another year of improvement.<br /></p>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-71897548720270600412007-10-18T20:22:00.000-05:002007-10-19T12:14:43.528-05:00Making Up A Bryant TradeThe headline intends to stress the fact there is no actual rumor or reason that indicates <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kobe Bryant</span> would come to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee </span>before November 21 when the <a href="http://www.nba.com/bucks/schedule/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Los Angeles Lakers</span> visit the Bradley Center</a>.<br /><br />Mostly inspired by <a href="http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=300011485">Rob Peterson’s post</a> on NBA.com’s great new blog, The Court Reporters, I decided to use ESPN.com’s Trade Machine to put together a perfectly impossible and ridiculous <a href="http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=692%7E2792%7E110&teams=13%7E13%7E15&te=&cash=">trade</a> (because that's what the machine was made for, I think): <span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Redd</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Villanueva</span> (plus draft picks) for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kobe Bryant</span>.<br /><br />Here’s how the new <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>lineup would look:<br /><br />C- <span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew Bogut</span><br />PF- <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span><br />SF- <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bobby Simmons</span><br />SG- <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kobe Bryant</span><br />PG- <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mo Williams</span><br /><br />Something tells me that offer wouldn’t exactly floor the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lakers</span>, and that the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>aren’t on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bryant</span>’s “list.” Perhaps a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Redd</span>/<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bogut</span>/<span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>(plus draft picks) for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bryant </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Vladimir Radmanovich</span> would be juicier, Rob? Well, I tried...<br /><br />I like <span style="font-weight: bold;">Redd </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva </span>anyway.alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-16440424836325806212007-10-18T16:14:00.000-05:002007-10-18T16:16:16.096-05:00Williams InterviewedGery Woelfel interviewed <span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee Bucks</span> guard <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mo Williams</span> and <a href="http://www.hoopshype.com/interviews/williams_woelfel.htm">it’s up on HoopsHype</a>. <br /><br />He doesn’t exactly dismiss being a shoot-first point guard, which is truthful, and says his shoulder is fine, which is good. <br /><blockquote>“The Bucks were decimated by injuries last season and you missed 14 games, mostly because of an injured left shoulder. On the first day of practice this season, you dinged your shoulder and started wearing a protective shoulder pad. How is your shoulder now?<br /><br />MW: It’s fine. It’s just part of the game, part of training camp. You get banged up. This is the most physical action I’ve had since last season, so the shoulder hasn’t had that physical element since then.”</blockquote>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-52401416296076993612007-10-17T14:19:00.000-05:002007-10-17T18:15:50.410-05:00Villanueva Blogs For NBA.comForward Charlie Villanueva <a href="http://my.nba.com/forum.jspa?forumID=300012849">blogged for NBA.com</a> on October 10. It's worth reading in its entirety. I've quoted one section where he spoke very kindly about <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span>, in addition to a lineup he recommends the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>use this year.<br /><blockquote>"I like Yi a lot. He is a good ball handler who has no problem taking opposing defenders off the dribble. He is a great finisher around the basket. He has a great understanding of the game and good court awareness. Rarely does Yi force the play. Instead he lets the game come to him naturally. Yi's game reminds me a bit of myself. I think Yi and I play similarly. We both have good offensive outside and inside games. And we both can create mismatch problems on any given night. It's going to be a great year for us. Coach K (Larry Krystkowiak) has a lot of good options on the frontcourt. The addition of Desmond Mason gives our frontcourt immediate hard defense. Mason is an awesome athlete. He can not only dunk it on you, but his jumpshot has improved as well. You may also possibly see all bigs on the frontcourt, having me at the 3-spot, Yi at the 4 and Bogut at the 5. That's a nice big lineup. I played the Small Forward position the majority of the time while I was with the Toronto Raptors. I love playing both the Small & Power Forward positions."</blockquote>There are certainly times when that big lineup could work, and of course many other times when it wouldn't. It's definitely worth trying in some situations, but with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bobby Simmons</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Desmond Mason </span>in town, the best spot for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva </span>is at power forward, an argument which I'll elaborate on soon.alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-32500867230103377152007-10-17T13:37:00.000-05:002007-10-17T13:45:52.693-05:00Preseason Game #4: Bucks Lose To Nuggets<p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=271016015"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee Bucks</span> fell to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Denver Nuggets</span> 104-78</a> last night, <span style=""></span>subduing any unfounded optimism that resulted from winning the first two preseason games.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, six stats from the game:</p> <ol><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>were outscored in each quarter of the game including a particularly damaging 33-15 third quarter.</li><li>Guard <span style="font-weight: bold;">Royal Ivey</span> came off the bench to play a team-high 32 minutes and scored 11 points, grabbed five rebounds, but didn’t dish out any assists.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span> scored six points along with six rebounds in the first quarter.</li><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>tallied 19 offensive rebounds compared to just nine for the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nuggets</span>.</li><li>Starters <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dan Gadzuric</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Desmond Mason</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Bell</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mo Williams</span> totaled just three assists in 105 minutes combined.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake Voskuhl </span>grabbed seven rebounds in just 15 minutes but turned the ball over four times and didn’t score.</li></ol>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-28298463441108563702007-10-14T23:30:00.000-05:002007-10-17T13:44:37.888-05:00Preseason Game #3: Bucks Fall To JazzSix stats from Saturday’s <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=271013015">92-78 preseason loss to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Utah Jazz</span></a>:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jazz</span> guard <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ronnie Brewer</span> scored 28 points off the bench, four more points than the entire <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span> bench totaled.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Desmond Mason</span> shot 0-4 from the field and scored one point in 22 minutes in a starting role.</li><li>After holding the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jazz </span>to <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=271010026">nine fourth quarter points</a> in their first preseason meeting, they allowed 31 points in the fourth quarter.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dan Gadzuric</span>’s three assists placed him in the top two on the team for the second consecutive preseason game.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span>’s first start resulted in some pretty big numbers: 29 minutes, 13 points, 13 shots, eight turnovers, and five fouls.</li><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks</span> shot 2-15 (.133) on three-pointers, but 20-24 (.833) from the free-throw line.</li></ol>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-25944298206171649192007-10-10T23:16:00.000-05:002007-10-14T23:34:41.388-05:00Preseason Game #2: Bucks Defeat JazzThe <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=271010026"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee Bucks</span> defeated the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Utah Jazz</span> 90-81</a> to improve to 2-0 in the preseason.<br /><br />Staying with the preseason six stats theme:<br /><ol><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>won despite starting and ending slowly, scoring 13 and 18 points in the first and fourth quarters respectively.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi Jianlian</span> scored 11 of his 12 points in the second quarter.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dan Gadzuric</span> tied <span style="font-weight: bold;">Royal Ivey</span> for the team lead with three assists.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">David Noel</span> notched eight points, three rebounds, an assist, a block, and no turnovers in 21 minutes.</li><li>Playing single-digit minutes individually, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Ruffin</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jake Voskuhl</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Awvee Storey</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ramon Sessions</span> shot a combined 1-6 from the field.</li><li>For the second game in a row, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Bell</span> struggled from the field (1-4) and was perfect from the line (4-4).</li></ol>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-41290981804184560992007-10-10T00:27:00.000-05:002007-10-10T00:52:04.476-05:00Bucks Top Bulls In Preseason OpenerThe <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/boxscores/2007/10/09/23266_boxscore.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee Bucks</span> defeated the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chicago Bulls</span> 93-88</a> in their first preseason game of the year.<br /><br />Just for fun, because it’s preseason after all, here are six statistical oddities:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thomas Gardner</span> started at shooting guard for the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bulls </span>and led them in minutes played with 25.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bobby Simmons</span> made all five shots he took (three two-pointers and two free-throws) and fouled out in 13 minutes.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Ruffin</span>, who shot <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3355/">.368</a> from the free-throw line last year, made both of his free-throws. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chris Duhon</span> blocked as many shots (2) in 22 minutes as <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyrus Thomas</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ben Wallace</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Luol Deng</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Andres Nocioni</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Aaron Gray</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew Bogut</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Desmond Mason</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Awvee Storey</span> did in 140 minutes combined.</li><li>The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bucks </span>won despite shooting .417 from the field and .651 from the free-throw line.</li><li>Combined, guards <span style="font-weight: bold;">Royal Ivey </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Awvee Storey</span> made more shots from the field (8-12) on fewer than half as many attempts as guards <span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Redd</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mo Williams</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charlie Bell</span> (7-25).</li></ol>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426824358879146986.post-49252079593821251332007-10-06T17:31:00.001-05:002007-10-06T19:57:21.926-05:00Observations From The Open Scrimmage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX5klcqEwtcaXEf5Dwm3LDKJqs4xMV7ORegJrN5bGTdYZ0kShrb0G1QCNbEhXPi8oteWOin6Jz2v9Vm6K1QfJmT9kPrQWTMFf5KrkmUmZW_d6zATcg-9S_ATDIKh5UoNiV9vr-cmrAlSn/s1600-h/100-0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX5klcqEwtcaXEf5Dwm3LDKJqs4xMV7ORegJrN5bGTdYZ0kShrb0G1QCNbEhXPi8oteWOin6Jz2v9Vm6K1QfJmT9kPrQWTMFf5KrkmUmZW_d6zATcg-9S_ATDIKh5UoNiV9vr-cmrAlSn/s320/100-0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118361248411499474" border="0" /></a><br />(I took the above picture, which centers <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>among his new teammates during warmups.)<br /><br />“I’d be very surprised if a team outworks us this year.”<br /><br />Those were the words from coach <span style="font-weight: bold;">Larry Krystkowiak</span> that preceded the team’s open scrimmage, which occurred on October 6 at the Bradley Center in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Milwaukee</span>.<br /><br />The intra-squad scrimmage divided the players into teams called <span style="font-weight: bold;">Team Black</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Team Grey</span>. Here are the teams, with the starting fives listed first.<br /><br />Team Black:<br /><br />Andrew Bogut<br />Dan Gadzuric<br />Desmond Mason<br />Royal Ivey<br />Mo Williams<br /><br />Awvee Storey<br />Jake Voskuhl<br />Samaki Walker<br /><br />Team Grey:<br /><br />Yi Jianlian<br />Charlie Villanueva<br />Bobby Simmons<br />Michael Redd<br />Charlie Bell<br /><br />David Noel<br />Michael Ruffin<br />Ramon Sessions<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Team Black</span> defeated <span style="font-weight: bold;">Team Grey</span> 77-64 in the game, which featured eight-minute quarters. Despite appearing evenly matched on paper, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Team Black</span> cruised to victory after building a 24-13 lead by the end of the first quarter.<br /><br />Here are five observations:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>tallied ten points overall. Unofficially, by my count, he shot 4-9 from the field and 2-3 from the free-throw line, and grabbed five rebounds. He started the game slowly, struggling to find any rhythm offensively in the first half. Worse, he had no answers defensively while matched up against an aggressive <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bogut</span>, whose twelve first-quarter points almost matched <span style="font-weight: bold;">Team Grey</span>’s output. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>did break loose for a two-handed dunk in the second quarter, but didn’t really get on track until an intermission activity which preceded the fourth quarter. Teamed with a group of kids who slowly made the necessary layup, free-throw, and three-pointer, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>floated a perfect shot from half-court into the basket in his first attempt. The crowd erupted, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>smiled, and more importantly, he loosened up, setting up a smooth final quarter. His fourth quarter highlights included a pretty jumper, attacking the basket for an and-one, and a post up, spin, and successful shot over <span style="font-weight: bold;">Williams</span>. </li></ul><ul><li>As noted in the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>recap, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bogut </span>set the tone early, attacking the basket with authority. He led all scorers with 24 points in the game. He looked and played like the most focused guy in the building. Aside from picking up an offensive foul after attempting to run the point on a fast break in the third quarter, he couldn’t do much wrong. In fitting fashion, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bogut </span>emphatically rejected a shot from <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi </span>at the buzzer to conclude his authoritative game.</li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Williams </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bell </span>started as opposing point guards, and while <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ivey </span>started at the two alongside <span style="font-weight: bold;">Williams</span>, he also got some run at the point. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ivey </span>only scored five points, but looked composed with the ball in his hands, delivering mostly on-point passes. His active hands defensively also stood out on a team that still appears more offensively-focused. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sessions </span>also got minutes at the point and appeared a little more hesitant than <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ivey </span>at times, getting caught up in the air and turning the ball over at one point. But he showed quickness with the ball and an impressive jolt of athleticism in throwing down a nice dunk in the second quarter. </li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Villanueva</span> certainly didn’t overly impress, causing a little reason for concern considering he’s one of the big boys coming off an injury. He didn’t distinguish himself at all in an out-of-sync first half. Like <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi</span>, he looked a little more comfortable in the second half but finished with just seven points. On the other hand, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Gadzuric </span>was pretty active for his standards, notching nine points. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Simmons </span>neither stood out nor disappointed.</li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Redd </span>(17 points), <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mason </span>(14 points), and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Williams </span>(13 points) played as well you'd expect. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mason </span>didn't take long to remind Milwaukeeans of his open-court prowess and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Redd</span>'s first-minute three-pointer also reinforced his best attribute. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bell</span>, while not getting <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yi</span>-level attention, remains a fan favorite, at least based on the player introductions. And that is a good sign that the eventful/ridiculous offseason is behind us and the real season in front of us.</li></ul>alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16412620338772250192noreply@blogger.com1