Bucks Buzz: January 23rd - We Got One!

Even though it has been a bad year for Milwaukee thus far, Mitch Pratt and Charlie Tritschler will provide you with a bi-weekly update on the Bucks ranging from recaps, links and other neat stuff.  

Quick Recap:

Wednesday vs. Detroit: Bucks 104 Pistons 101 -

Yes, that's the final score. You read that correctly. The Milwaukee Bucks notched their first victory of 2014 after losing nine in a row since their win in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve. Had the Bucks blown this one, it would have marked their second ten game losing streak of the season but nope, the resilient Bucks held off the reeling Pistons for a nice victory.

Caron Butler had arguably his best game as a Milwaukee Buck, on his bobblehead night naturally. The Racine native had 30 points, seven boards and five assists on his line in front of a nice crowd at the BC. Butler said after the game to FSWisconsin's Telly Hughes that he "just wants to play" and that he "earned his minutes" which I'd agree with. It sucks that Giannis didn't play a minute in the fourth quarter but he still played 26 minutes, which is probably enough right now.

Miroslav Raduljica threw in a really productive 20 minutes (8 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals) off the bench for the Bucks last night as well. I never really thought I'd say this but when he's banging around and being a nuisance for other teams' bigs, he's really fun to watch. He gets a nice game ball honorable mention from Sportandfashion-news.

Former Buck, Brandon Jennings, made his second trip back to Milwaukee and had a pretty good game...we still don't miss you though, Brandon.

By now, everyone knows that I'm especially on the tank bandwagon but I've had an epiphany of sorts the past few days to a week; I have no problem with anyone who roots for the Bucks to get a W and indeed, I will be rooting for them every night. There are two reasons for this: 1) I'm pretty certain that the youth has become the focal point of the front office by now (Caron's big game last night, on his bobblehead night, hopefully won't derail that) and 2) They are so bad that typical "tanking" measures don't really need to be taken. The team is healthy finally, for the most part, and they are still trash. 

Links

Here's is a column from Bucks' insider Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times that says there's a 70 or 80 percent chance the Bucks get a new building and remain in Milwaukee, according to sources.

Caron Butler talking after the game last night. Even though I'm not thrilled he went to the media to voice his frustration about playing time, I don't think he's a locker room cancer by any means. He's clearly a leader in the locker room and somebody the younger guys should look up to.

What to watch

Now that the Bucks have a victory this calendar year, we'll have to watch if they can build off of it. As I previously stated, the youth movement appears to be locked in so at some point, you'd like to see them hop out of the tank and stretch out a bit. Perhaps we'll see a stretch where they win three out of five or so.

What's next?

The Bucks will head to the metropolis of Cleveland for a Friday night fight with the Cavaliers. The Cavs haven't been playing great, so could we see the Bucks get their first back-to-back Ws of the season?

Then, Saturday, the Bucks return home to face the Atlanta Hawks who are in the top half of the East by default. 

Toodles.

-Big Money

Roundball Wrap-up: Wednesday January 8th

I thought about doing a what we missed from the last couple weeks with it being the holidays and all, but then I decided you know what most people reading are fans of the game and they have been keeping up even with the college football bowl season and the NFL Playoffs happening. There is no need to dumb it down for the rest of them. Also sorry this has not gone up in awhile.  Let's get to talking some hoops.

Players of the Week 
Kevin Durant - This is a man on fire. Without question, he is my Most Valuable Player for the season right now. In the last week, Durant has twice scored 48 points against Minnesota and Utah respectively along with seven rebounds and multiple assists. In the last five games, Durant is averaging 35 points with nearly eight rebounds a game. He is not doing it against the best teams, but I think what it is showing how good Durant can be when he is not worried about being selfish. I feel like he does worry about it when Russell Westbrook is on the court. KD is playing head and shoulders above most players in the NBA right now. .

DeAndre Jordan - Anyone noticing how much a rebounding beast this guy has been in the last five games? Currently, he is averaging 15 rebounds a game in the last five games including two massive double-doubles against Dallas scoring 25 points and 18 rebounds, and 17 points/14 rebounds against Orlando. Sometimes the points are not there for Jordan, but he is pulling down boards like a mad men right now. For the season, he is smashing the career totals for total rebounds, offensive rebounds (4.1!!!) and defensive rebounds. Jordan is having a sneaky good year.

'I am not mad, I am disappointed' Player of the Week
Andre Miller - Funny how Denver loses eight straight games, and Miller calls out his coach, Brian Shaw, after not playing him in a couple games then Denver suspends him and rails off three straight wins. This is clearly not working with Denver and Miller as they are looking to trade him. My question is though will he accept just being a role player on the bench like he should be or will he demand to be a starer? Miller is an underrated pain in the ass type player. I am curious to see whether Denver will get some value for him, I bet at least a draft pick or two.

Team of the Week
Golden State Warriors - Here comes the Dubs! They have won their last 10 games and they are doing it against most of the Eastern Conference which seems to be a slump buster for any Western Conference team as they were 14-13 after losing to San Antonio at home. Now they won four straight before heading out east yet they still sweep an East Coast swing including a big win against Miami. Golden State seemed to find their chemistry again, and is now leading the Pacific Division. I think when it is all said and done, this team ends up being the three seed in the Western Conference. They beat teams they are supposed to, and beat other good teams in the process.

Team of the Weak
Boston Celtics - What's funny is how we talked about Golden State feasted on the Eastern Conference, Boston is basically getting starved to death out west. They have lost their last five straight games as well as losing eight of their last 10 games. Would you say Boston is embracing the tank? Probably a little bit. I do not think Brad Stevens will allow it, but I do believe Celtics will not rush Rajon Rondo back after what happened with Derrick Rose. Rondo and Rose's games are a bit similar, and I doubt Boston will try to hustle him back just for a seventh seed.

Sportandfashion-news Medical Injury Report  
Chris Paul - This is a bummer to see, but at least it is not a knee injury for him. Paul has a Grade 3 sprained AC joint in his shoulder putting him on the self for six weeks. I have to think the Clippers look at Andre Miller to fill the void for Paul as he would be a solid fit for this team plus I assume Miller would play for Doc Rivers. Paul had such a good year before his injury, and it is a bummer to see one of the best players go out yet at least it is not a serious one. My only concern would be the constant contact the shoulder and that joint see in basketball especially with a physical player like Paul.

This Week in GIFs, Vines, Tweets, Instagrams, Videos, Links, Pictures and anything else 
This might shock you but Brandon Jennings went to Twitter to call out his haterz.

It's that week of the year again. Always seems to sneak up on you. pic.twitter.com/rOj5mlUKxB
— K L Chouinard (@AnaheimAmigos) January 8, 2014

I have no idea whether I should be proud of Jimmy Butler dancing to Taylor Swift or not. Probably not. (H/T Barstool Chicago) 



Charlie.