Bucks Buzz: Monday March 10th

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.  

Hot Recap Takes

Thursday: Pelicans 112 Bucks 104  -  Spirted effort from Milwaukee's professional basketball team. They played the Pellies tough throughout the whole four quarters, but they could not get it done down in the Nola. A trend continued on Friday when Anthony Davis took Bucks' big man to the absolute woodshed with a 29 point, 14 rebound performance along with five assists and a couple blocks. He took full control inside plus they got a great game from Tyreke Evans with 25 points. Milwaukee got another great game from Jeff Adrien whom matched his career-high from the night before by having 20 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort. Adrien is playing at such a high level right now, which now means he will get overpaid by this franchise. John Henson deserves some love too as he started for Ersan Ilyasova and had 12 points with six rebounds, one of his better performances of late. O.J. Mayo decided he did not need to play this one after shoving former Wisconsin Badger Greg Stiemsma in the throat/face area which got him ejected

Saturday: Wizards 114 Bucks 107 - If Milwaukee would have came to play in the first half, this might have been a different game. They gave up 75 points digging a 22 point hole at the break. Milwaukee came back from half to hold Washington to only 10 points in the third quarter, but could not complete the comeback getting their 50th loss of the season. Trevor Ariza continued his hot stretch of late having 28 points with five threes including seven rebounds. Additionally, Washington got five more threes from Bradley Beal as he dropped 23 points. If John Wall beats you, that's okay, but to have the other players take you down is a little disappointing. As for Milwaukee, their backcourt had a nice game with Brandon Knight filling it up with 25 points on 9/20 shooting with Nasty Nate Wolters adding 10 points of his own along with a positive PER.

Bucks and Fox Sports Wisconsin, how can it be fixed?
As some Bucks fans learned on Saturday night, the game was not on television. This disappointed a lot of people including yours truly as it would have been fun to see Milwaukee take on the Wizards, one of the best young teams in basketball.  I do not understand why they chose home games to get the ax. I could totally get them not wanting to bring their cameras to New Orleans as that matchup does not really drive up the needle, but for whatever reason, they felt Saturday's game was less important than Friday. There needs to be a better plan in place for this sort of things. Look at some of the perceived worst teams, and when Milwaukee visits them, give them the ax. I realize we are not getting 82 games of Bucks basketball because that's how it works with FOX Sports, but let's try to figure out a better balance with these games.  

Links
Journal Sentinel had a nice write up about Henson's struggles in his second year. I met John on Saturday afternoon as we were at the same event. Good dude honesty. Down to earth guy who does not think he is better than anyone else.

Nice look from the people of Bucksetball looking at the Gary Neal trade after about a month later. Ramon Sessions and Adrien have been special.

What to watch
I would look for the Bucks durability. This sort of runs into the schedule, but the Bucks play five games in seven days. Luckily for Milwaukee, everyone is off suspension and healthy.

Upcoming schedule
They play Orlando tonight, a team they have beaten this year and then they travel to Minnesota on Tuesday night. Bucks could get one of two here. Doubt they would take both of them.

Charlie.

Roundball Wrap-up: Wednesday January 22nd

Your favorite inconsistent NBA post is back from last year!  I never really had a full grasp on how to do this blog, but I think I have figured it out. There will be similar elements from Bucks Buzz, but in reality, it will be its own post on Wednesday (Or Thursday). I do not really have a time for when it will be up but there will be all sorts of random shit I happen to come across on the Internet plus some thoughts about the week that was.

Players of the Week 
Kevin Durant - I honestly could give it to KD every week, but he is out of his gorge right now. The world is Durant's right now and we are just living in it. In his last five games, he is averaging 40 points a game with shooting 50 percent from three and making 59 percent of his shots in total. In the last three games, Durant is 67 percent from three and 68 percent from inside the circle. Durant's 383 points in the last 10 games is the highest number of points since Kobe Bryant's 396 in 2006-2007 according to Elias Sports Bureau. This is an astronomical run. This is a 'Gather around the television kids, Durant is on' type stuff going on right now. He wants the belt from LeBron James. I mean he really wants to make a statement saying I am the best in the world right now while he is not, but right now, no one can stop Durant. The fact he had 56 and 48 points against Golden State and Portland is a massive statement. Sometimes you wonder whether one player can take his team all the way to the finals, and right now, Durant is looking that way. Oh yeah, he gets Russell Westbrook back at some point. Couple good tweets from Friday's game...

57 is the number. Ive always said whenever @KDTrey5 and I combine for 57 we have a great shot to win.
— Nick Collison (@nickcollison4) January 18, 2014

54 piece nugget with a side large fries .with extra salt ..lol .. STAY HOTT @KDTrey5 #MVP.... And I want a shake too lol
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) January 18, 2014

Rudy Gay - Last week, I dogged Rudy and this week, I call him a player of the week, that's how shit works, deal with it.  Yes I know he had a six point performance against Oklahoma City this week, but this is the Susan Lucci award. Gay deserves a ton of credit for how he responded getting traded to Sacramento. Gay had 41 points last night which has been his pinnacle for Sacramento this season. He is also becoming an efficient scorer. In November, Gay shot 37.5 percent from the field, and in January, Gay is shooting 55 percent. That's a massive difference. I have no idea what changed for Gay. But we can officially say the future is bright for Sacramento even though they are 10 games under .500?  Boogie Cousins is playing great, same with Gay and Isiaiah Thomas. Kings are one or two players away from being a playoff team next season.

'I am not mad, I am disappointed' Player of the Week
Beno Udrih - What the hell happened in New York? I guess I fail to understand how Udrih can be so frustrated with New York when he played for Milwaukee for the last couple of years. I mean maybe the big city lifestyle is not for him as he played in Sacramento and Milwaukee for his first two stints of professional basketball, but still, I would not see him being one of the more hated players on the New York Knicks. Udrih will probably get his trade because there are teams who need a backup point guard with the ability to make a mean mid-range jumper is probably very high.

Team of the Week
Chicago Bulls - Remember when this team was supposed to tank? They trade away Luol Deng, and it appeared they were heading to tank city. But Joakim Noah (He missed POW by just a little bit) and Tom Thibodeau will not allow it. Chicago has won their last eight of 10 games. Thibs might be the greatest coach for the talent he consistently has around him being limited at best. Chicago is probably going to end up being the fourth seed since they cannot seem to beat Washington (Only team they have lost to in the last 10 games). And I know we as Wisconsinites are not supposed to like Chicago-based teams, but dammit it is hard not to like Chicago with the determination and gutty nature of how they play basketball. Although Thibs, do not play Jimmy Butler 60 minutes, okay, thanks.

Team of the Weak
New Orleans Pelicans - This is a team absolutely bitten by injuries. They were .500 on December 11th. Pelicans weathered Anthony Davis' hand injury, but this team started to lose Jrue Holiday whose bothering a knee injury, Jason Smith is out for awhile and Ryan Anderson will be out until March. Pelicans are nowhere near at full strength and they have now dropped 14 of their last 19 games. Although this could work out for New Orleans. They were not figuring to be this bad as some slotted them as a low playoff team. If they get worse than this, the pick they are supposed to give to Philadelphia might not move if New Orleans can pick in the top five. Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis would block 100 shots together. Davis and Julius Randle would be unstoppable too. Pelicans need to keep losing.

Sportandfashion-news Medical Injury Report  
Nikola Vucevic - Orlando is not having a good year, and currently, their young man missed six straight games with a concussion. Orlando does not really know when they will have him back. Concussions in any sport deserve time away. I realize with Magic's not really looking to win here, they will tell Vucevic to take it easy.

This Week in GIFs, Vines, Tweets, Instagrams, Videos, Links, Pictures and anything else 
Stop it Kenneth Faried (H/T @Lashy) 


Great stuff from Kobe and Rajon Rondo

Rondo, on being called an asshole by Kobe: "That's a great compliment, coming from Kobe. I feel the same way about him."
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) January 18, 2014

John Wall joined the circus. (H/T @AdamMcGinnis) 


Paul George, just stop it.

Sportandfashion-news NBA Future Power Rankings: 14.) - 10.)

by Adam Hatlak, edited by Charlie Tritschler.  

Late December/early January is generally when the NBA starts to heat up. For this NBA season, this is especially true. With all of the injuries to major stars and one of the most anticipated draft classes in recent memory coming up, the landscape of the NBA is in store for a major shakeup. Due to all the changes, now is a good time to look at what the NBA will look like for the next 3-5 years. These Power Rankings were made from a fan’s perspective including many different variables: probability of future success, likeability of organization, trust in front office, and ability to acquire/retain quality players. All of the criteria are applied for the next 3-5 years, as anything further into the future is increasingly more difficult to predict.

Teams ranked from 30.) - 25.) 
Teams ranked from 24) - 20.)
Teams ranked from 19.) -15.) 

14.) New Orleans Pelicans
Key Assets: Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon.

Reason for Hope: This team is going to go as far as Davis can take them. The second-year player was able to get off to a hot start this season, and it seems like he has MVP potential. If this is the case, Pelicans will be a force to be reckoned with, as they have what could be an above average wing rotation to be Davis’ sidekick. Gordon, Holiday and Evans can all potentially be solid rotation contributors in the right situation, but also could be shopped to another team desperate for a young wing, a resolution that might benefit the Pelicans more than having all of them on the court. Ryan Anderson served as a solid fit for the Pelicans system as well adding spacing to the team that will allow Davis to work inside.

Reason for Concern: The biggest issue around this team’s future is that they will likely be in the lottery this season, but do not own their own pick, as it was traded to Philadelphia 76ers in the Holiday deal. That pick could have been used to acquire one last young asset to help build around Davis, losing it hurts. Although they have a solid, young, wing rotation, there are too many question marks surrounding the players to truly see them developing into a dominant franchise with these players. Evans comes with a large price tag, and is likely best served as a sixth man, plus has not been associated with a winning franchise. Gordon likely has the highest ceiling of the three, but since his breakout, has been unable to stay healthy, or live up to his contract. Losing a high draft pick on Austin Rivers also affects the ceiling of this franchise.

Key Decision Looming: How does the Gordon experiment end? Although he was the centerpiece of the Chris Paul trade, the acquisitions of Holiday and Evans made it seem like Gordon became expendable in the long-term Pelicans’ plans. The issue with that is that Gordon does not have a lot of trade value; so ideally, the Pelicans would like him to get healthy to be the number two option behind Davis. If he can do that, this team can contend. The likely conclusion is Gordon is moved when he is close to an expiring contract, whether he brings back a valuable player or not will be the question.

13.) Chicago Bulls
Key Assets: Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, Tom Thibodeau.

Reason for Hope: The road map to success for this team is very easy to see; Rose gets healthy and returns to form next year, Boozer comes back, Noah works out his minor injury issues, Butler develops to fully takeover Luol Deng’s role and Thibodeau has this team playing its usual style of defense. Now that Rose is hurt, Bulls can move on from some of their older assets and hopefully add to the future. Boozer can either be amnestied, or moved for a minor piece for the future, as Deng has already been moved for Andrew Bynum’s expiring deal and heavily protected draft picks. Both were always likely to move on from the Bulls in the near future, but losing a season of Rose facilitates these types of moves.

Reason for Concern: This team has probably dropped the furthest over the course of this season. Rose’s second injury officially casts doubt on him as a long-term MVP candidate. He may be able to return to 100% of the player he was, but he also may be riddled with injuries for the rest of his career. Rose’s injuries also wasted some high-priced years of Deng and Boozer, as neither is capable of being a number one option, but both are exceptional role players. Butler and Gibson will be able to replace Deng and Boozer, but their promotions will weaken the depth of the team. Noah battled injuries of his own, and may not be able to put together a dominant season at the same time as Rose again. Bulls’ ownership has shown an unwillingness to spend unnecessary money despite being in a huge market. The biggest issue may lie within a potential rift between Thibodeau and management. If he leaves, the team’s defense will suffer and potentially fall to a league average level, something their average offense will not be able to compensate for whatsoever.

Key Decision Looming: Do they amnesty Boozer? Since the amnesty clause has been an option, there have been rumors that the Bulls will use it on Boozer. Chicago is notorious for wanting to avoid the luxury tax, and Boozer does not deliver the type of value in Chicago that his contract suggests. The Deng trade makes it seem like Boozer is destined to be amnestied, but there is still a slight chance he gets traded instead, either way, don’t expect to see Boozer in Chicago at the end of the season.

12.) Dallas Mavericks
Key Assets: Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis, Mark Cuban, Rick Carlisle.

Reason for Hope: Carlisle is easily one of the best coaches in the NBA, although he does not get the credit he deserves among the casual fans. He’s been able to make Ellis an efficient player this year in Dallas and has also kept aging veterans Shawn Marion and Vince Carter as effective role players. Nowitzki is an example of what every General Manager hopes for in an aging superstar; someone who wants to stay with the organization, continue trying to win a championship, but take a reduced salary in order to bring in additional talent around them. If Dallas can bring in more studs, Nowitzki’s team first attitude will pay off. Although Cuban was a pain during his first few seasons as the Mavericks’ owner, he’s transformed into a very solid owner with him hoping to spend his money wisely to get the best product on the floor. This desire to get top level talent has not been the most successful lately, but will potentially pay off in the near future as expiring contracts come off the books.

Reason for Concern: Nowitzki is unfortunately on the downside of a prolific career. He will not be able to carry the team anymore like he used to, and it does not appear Dallas has anyone in place to take over for him. Surprisingly enough, they have struck out on numerous free agents the past few seasons, despite having the cap room to sign someone. Along with Nowitzki, much of this team is aging as Carter, Marion and Jose Calderon all get tons of minutes. The biggest problem with the age on this team comes from having no star in waiting to take control of this team. Ellis has been playing well, but should not be the number one option on Dallas or any team in the league.

Key Decision Looming: Who is the next face of the franchise? Of all the aging stars, Nowitzki seems most willing to pass the torch to another player, but he also seems to have the least deserving candidates for that throne. Dallas is a team gets pegged as a good free agency destination, but they have not found another superstar to confirm that assumption. It seems like Nowizki will take a smaller deal, and hope to find one more star in the way of free agency, or a trade. If Nowitzki cannot pass the torch to someone before he retires, Dallas could be for a tough stretch.

11.) Atlanta Hawks
Key Assets: Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap, Louis Williams, Danny Ferry.

Reason for Hope: The Hawks seem to be one of the more stable franchises in the league. Despite not really lowering their status in the Eastern Conference, Hawks have retooled what they look like on the court. Any team that can get assets for Joe Johnson’s contract and be confident enough to let Josh Smith walk in free agency, but yet stay in the same spot in the standings deserves an optimistic future. The team has a lot of players that would be quality starters on a good team. Hopefully they can add one more star, and with the ability to swap picks with Brooklyn Nets, they may be able to do so in the upcoming draft.

Reason for Concern: This team is a model of consistency even if the consistency might prove incredibly frustrating for their fan base. Every season, it feels like the Hawks will finish somewhere between the three and six seeds in the East, and either lose in the first or second round, depending on their opponent. This can be great in years where it feels like the Hawks will have a down year, but when the team seems to be at its peak, it just cannot break the ceiling. Horford would likely need to be a second or third option on a dominant team, but his current injury, and injury history makes it tough to trust him as a number one option. The Hawks seem to have missed their best chance to bring in a star free agent after missing out on Chris Paul and Dwight Howard this past offseason.

Key Decision Looming: Who do they draft in the 2014 NBA Draft? This team is the biggest wildcard in this year’s draft due to their ability to switch picks with the Nets. They could potentially have a very high pick and have the most flexible roster. They do not have any holes they absolutely must fill, and have no players that would block any young guys from developing. If they are able to land one of the best players in the draft, this team could become a threat quickly.

10. Phoenix Suns
Key Assets: Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, two first round picks in 2014 and 2015.

Reason for Hope: This team is far ahead of where everyone expected them to be in the rebuilding process, something that is always beneficial to an organization. Bledsoe seems to be the real deal and is a definite building block moving forward. Many of their young players have stepped up this year, and shown they can hang around as role players once the team improves. Acquiring one or two star players will allow everyone else on this team to take on a reduced role, ideally increasing everyone’s efficiency. Dragic is a surprisingly decent backcourt mate for Bledsoe, and will be an attractive trade chip in the next year and a half for teams that might want a relatively inexpensive point guard.

Reason for Concern: Despite the Suns’ surprising start this season, the reason for their high potential lies within what they are able to do with young players and future draft picks, two things that are at times difficult to predict. Bledsoe has been great, but will be a restricted free agent in the coming offseason, which will remove the benefit of having a young player on a cheap contract. There are some legitimate questions if Bledsoe will be able to live up to contract he is sure to get, but Suns have little choice but to pay Bledsoe. Phoenix will have to surround Bledsoe and Dragic with quality young players with numerous draft picks in the next few years, something the organization has struggled with in recent years.

Key Decision Looming: Does Dragic fit in long term? The Suns are on record saying that they want to resign Bledsoe long term regardless of the cost. When Bledsoe was acquired, there were concerns if he and Dragic would play well together. So far this season, they have fit decently in the backcourt, but perhaps they are slightly redundant long-term. If there is a playoff contender who is looking for a veteran point guard to lead their team, or fill in for an injured player, the Suns should think about moving him. If not, he will provide good value to their team.