Box Score

Well that was disappointing.

Two days after a thrilling win over the Heat and a day before a big home game against the Bulls, the Bucks came crashing back to earth. Or in this case: Detroit.

Having already dropped two games to the Bucks in the last month, the Pistons came out the more energetic side while the Bucks never seemed to shift out of neutral, finding few opportunities to run and struggling to execute anything in the halfcourt. Brandon Jennings did his best to carry the Bucks in the first half by making his first five shots, but Brandon Knight (26 points on 23 shots, 7 ast, 0 to) held his own early and clearly bested Jennings (20 pts, 7/19 fg, 1 ast, 3 stl, 3 to) over the final three quarters.

Then again, at least Jennings had one good quarter. That's more than you can say about his teammates, who were mostly outplayed across the board. The Bucks couldn't make shots against one of the league's worst defenses and managed a mere 10 assists on the evening, all too often looking hurried and out of control offensively. Scott Skiles was not pleased.

Just a very poor effort, one of the worst I've seen. Our execution was sloppy. Defensively we had no will. We had no will on the board. We gambled for steals.

We still had a chance to try to steal it, but even our last several possessions, there wasn't any quality in them.

The Bucks twice closed to within four in the final three minutes, but Knight responded both times: once on a P&R floater and another by driving left and finishing with his off-hand past Jennings. The Bucks then came up empty on clean three point looks by Jennings and Drew Gooden in the final minute and could only watch as free throws clinched it for Detroit.

Three Bucks

Ersan Ilyasova. Another big night on the boards for Ersan, who grabbed 12 rebounds in 21 minutes on a night when no other Buck grabbed more than five. Sadly, that alone was sufficient for the top honors among the Bucks tonight.

Shaun Livingston. Livingston started the second half with seven quick points as the Bucks narrowed the Piston lead to five, but there was no getting over the hump for Milwaukee. Still, an efficient night for Livingston (4/6 fg, 14 pts, 4 rebs) on a night when no other Buck made better than 50% of his shots.

Tobias Harris. The rookie provided a much-needed shot in the arm late in the third, helping the Bucks claw back from a 13-point deficit with eight points and five boards in 11 minutes.

Three Numbers

10. After five straight games of 20+ assists, the Bucks looked short on focus and lacked the polish we've come to expect of late, managing a season-low 10 assists.

25-15. The Pistons' strong second quarter was all they needed to take the lead and never look back.

7. The Pistons snapped a seven game losing streak, while the Bucks saw another chance at a four game streak go by the wayside.

Three Bad

Tanked. The Pistons are essentially tanking this season for a top draft pick, but they were clearly the better side against a Bucks team theoretically getting its act together.

Inverse Jennings. After carrying the Bucks in the final three quarters against the Heat, Jennings was outplayed by a rookie in the final three stanzas in Detroit and failed to score in the game's final 13 minutes. After his hot start, Jennings missed his final seven threes and made just 2/14 shots to close the game as Knight thoroughly outplayed him--just a few days after the rookie went scoreless in Milwaukee.

Looking overly concerned with his one-on-one duel, Jennings also did little to help out his teammates until the fourth quarter, managing just a single assist against three turnovers. The symbolic play of the night: Jennings blew a 2-on-1 break in the third by throwing an errant around-the-back bounce pass wide of Beno Udrih. One of those nights.

Better lucky than Gooden. Drew Gooden was abysmal: often out of control (OK, not unusual), inaccurate (1/8 fg), ineffective on the boards (4 rebs) and mostly overwhelmed by Greg Monroe (19 pts, 11 rebs). We've been a bit spoiled by Gooden's strong play since Bogut went down, but tonight offered an unfortunate reminder of how harmful Gooden can be when he doesn't find a way to contribute offensively.

Two Good

Bulls on tap. The giant-slaying Bucks seemed to be looking past the Pistons to the Bulls on Saturday, so they won't have any excuses against Derrick Rose and company. Hopefully that means a strong effort, though the problem with a likely-to-be-sold-out Saturday night tilt with the Bulls is that you do actually have to play the Bulls.

Ice Ice Baby. Vanilla Ice played at halftime.

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2011/2012 NBA Season
	vs.
10-11 (3-9 road)		4-20 (3-8 home)
February 3, 2012
The Palace of Auburn Hills
6:30 PM CT
Radio: 620 WTMJ TV: FSN Wisconsin
Probable starters:
Brandon Jennings	PG	Brandon Knight
Shaun Livingston	SG	Rodney Stuckey
Carlos Delfino	SF	Tayshaun Prince
Luc Mbah a Moute	PF	Jason Maxiell
Drew Gooden	C	Greg Monroe
(17th) 102.5 - OFFENSE - 97.8 (26th)
(16th) 102.4 - DEFENSE - 110.1 (29th)
(10th) 92.4 - PACE - 87.6 (30th)

On the Pistons: Detroit Bad Boys / Piston Powered / Need4Sheed

Having already beaten the Pistons twice in Milwaukee, Brandon Jennings and the Bucks head to Detroit looking for their fourth straight win.

Fear the Deer. You could make a good case that Brandon Jennings' fourth quarter barrage in Wednesday's win over the Heat was his most memorable performance since that whole 55-point thing more than two years ago; at a minimum it felt like the Bucks' most (only?) significant statement since they won back-to-back-to-back playoff games against the Hawks in 2010.

That might seem weird when you consider that the Bucks had beaten the Heat on the road just 10 days earlier, but the context is important. The Bucks have always been capable of the odd gem here or there, but coming back to beat Miami for a second time in two weeks just felt like much more of a statement--in no small part because it came as part of a 6-2 run that has come in spite of Andrew Bogut's latest injury and the ongoing Stephen Jackson distraction. No one would have been too mad with the Bucks for laying an egg against the league's fiercest trio, especially after LeBron James' ridiculous 24-point first quarter. Many teams have done it. But the Bucks didn't let an early hole discourage them and instead reminded the Milwaukee faithful how fun it can be to watch an energetic, unselfish team put it all together. Oh, and that Jennings guy added to the fun, too.

Considering all the positive buzz the game seemed to generate, I'd love to think Wednesday's game could mark a turning point in how the city views this year's squad. But with 45 games remaining and seven teams ahead of them in the East, the Bucks also can't afford complacency now. The Bucks have given Milwaukee plenty of false starts and teasing spurts of excitement over the past two decades, but the excitement has mostly been fleeting. Considering the opponent and positive developments of the last two weeks, the Bulls' visit to the BC tomorrow night will draw plenty of eyeballs, which could make tonight's game in Detroit something of a trap. Unfortunately the Bucks aren't good enough to sleep walk their way to road wins, and the Pistons provided enough scares in the teams' first two meetings this season to show this isn't a gimme. The Bucks still have everything to prove--especially on the road, where they're still just 3-9.

Finishers. A year after finishing dead last in the NBA in fg% at the rim (57.9%), the Bucks have rocketed all the way to ninth with a healthy 66% this year. Though they're no more athletic on paper this year than a year ago, the Bucks' improved transition game and consistent ball movement have done wonders for their offensive flow and efficiency, as evidenced by the fact that they also rank fifth in percentage of assisted at-rim field goals (60%), compared to just 47.0% last year (26th).

Maxed Out. Jason Maxiell started in Wednesday's 99-96 road loss in New Jersey, leapfrogging previous starters Ben Wallace and Jonas Jerebko for the coveted title of "dude who tries to play with Greg Monroe." Not that the Bucks have been a model of consistency in that regard--Ersan Ilyasova, Jon Leuer and Luc Mbah a Moute have all started for the Bucks at PF thus far, though it appears that Mbah a Moute may have once again solidifed .

Luc and Mike. Speaking of Mbah a Moute, it''s no coincidence that the Bucks' defense has finally started to come together since the Prince's return to the active roster. The Bucks have allowed a whopping 12 fewer pts/100 possessions with Luc on the floor this season and are 6-2 since he returned from a prolonged absence with knee tendinitis.

Interestingly, the same can be said of Mike Dunleavy, who made his return from a groin injury at Madison Square Garden two weeks ago, the same night as Luc. Though lacking in athleticism, Dunleavy hasn't prevented the Bucks from defending with him on the court: Milwaukee is similiarly 12 pts/100 better defensively with Mike on the court. Dunleavy has scored in double-digits in five of his last six games and made 7/14 from deep in the last five, bringing his true shooting% up to 56.4%. Not bad for a guy who couldn't seem to buy a jumper two weeks ago.

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Milwaukee Bucks general manager John Hammond announced on Friday that the team has requested waivers on rookie guard Darington Hobson. The Bucks selected Hobson in the second round of the 2010 NBA draft -- No. 37 overall -- but the 23-year-old needed season-ending hip surgery on both hips before he ever had the chance to step on the court.

He worked hard and rehabbed his way back onto the court for his rookie season in the 2011-2012 campaign, but he simply could not crack a deep wing rotation that also included fellow rookie Tobias Harris. The former New Mexico Lobos star was optioned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Developmental League back on December 30th, recalled on January 4th and then re-assigned on January 18th.

In five games with the Bucks this season, Hobson struggled to find a role or justify his label as a developmental prospect -- he only managed to produce 4 points on 2-13 shooting and 6 assists in a total of 39 minutes. While some may say the former Mountain West Conference Player of the Year never got a chance to show off his well-rounded game, the truth is that Hobson never flashed any NBA-ready facets of his game and couldn't earn meaningful playing time. Even in eight D-League games, Hobson only averaged 10.6 points on 41.7 percent shooting with 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists. For better or worse, here is Hobson's career with the Bucks in a nutshell:pensions

The move drops the Bucks' roster to 14 players, but it's not clear what (if anything) the team plans to do with the open spot. Are they planning a trade of Stephen Jackson -- who has been linked to Dwight Howard in the NBA rumor mill -- that requires the additional vacancy, or might they pursue a backup center to shore up the frontcourt? Alex Kennedy writes that another big man could be in the cards, with the Bucks reportedly interested in Joel Przybilla, Kyrylo Fesenko and Chris Kaman. Also keep in mind that Przybilla's agent Bill Duffy told ESPN yesterday that his client was choosing between the Heat and Bulls. Stay tuned for more.

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Bucks 105, Heat 97
Notes, video, reaction, and analysis of Wednesday night's win against Miami.

Box Scores: Basic / HoopData / Basketball Reference / Popcorn Machine Game Flow

Recaps: Brew Hoop / Bucksketball / Behind the Buck Pass / JS Online / FS Wisconsin / SB Nation / ESPN Heat Index / Peninsula is Mightier / Hot Hot Hoops / South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Notes: Brew Hoop: Brandon Jennings Is The Answer / Bucksketball: Teamwork is awesome, but so is Brandon Jennings playing like a star / HoopSpeak: Brandon Jennings making good on summer promises

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The last time I can remember meaningful basketball being played in Milwaukee, the team was led by a diminuitive guard with a knack for scoring. But even more than that, his charisma dominated the environment around the team; the smallest man on the court had the biggest personality by far. Surrounded by a collection of role players, he was the unlikely star of the story, and you knew that he would leave his impression on the game every night.

That was in June of 2001, when the Philadelphia 76ers bested the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The player I described is none other than Allen Iverson, the 6'0" MVP who towered over teammates and opponents alike. But when you think about it, you can apply those same statements to our own number 3. And that is what has people actually excited again.

Brandon Jennings is easily the most polarizing figure in Milwaukee basketball over the last ten years. Nobody else has had the potential to single-handedly turn the momentum of a Bucks game in a long, long time. While he's had his share of off nights where he kept Milwaukee out of it, there's a lot more going right this year than going wrong.

But it's more than just a third-year point guard turning the corner and becoming a top-tier player (which he's not...not yet). It's about an infusion of life and personality into an organization that has been starved of it for years. What does Brandon Jennings mean to professional basketball in Milwaukee?

First of all, we must address the significant improvement of Jennings' play this year. With a lockout condensing the season and making official summer workouts nonexistant, the path towards shoring up Jennings' weaknesses was more difficult than it had to be. But to his credit, Jennings both said the right things and backed it up with actions; this fantastic article from HoopSpeak takes the cliches and describes how they've become actual, tangible improvements.

His stated goal was to increase his shooting percentage to 40%. A low mark, but a realistic one compared to his 2010-11 performance. He's gone beyone that, putting up a respectable line of .438/.380/.812, and an adjusted FG% of .508, within the top 50 of the NBA. He's gotten much better at taking quality attempts, focusing more on getting to the rim and eschewing the infamous long 2-pointer for the more valuable three-point shot.

While his assists have not gone up as much, his passing is improved and the 5.6 assists per game is more a product of him actually out-shooting his teammates. Jennings has attempted 368 total field goals, making 161 of them (43.8%). The rest of the team combined has attempted 1302, making 564 of them (43.3%). The team's overall shooting percentage ranks 20th in the NBA, which still isn't particularly good, but it is far from the dead-last performance from last year. If his teammates make more shots (and he passes up on a few ill-advised of his own), his assists could creep up above the 6.0 mark, which will be yet another career high.

His defense has not suffered as much as some might think, either. According to 82games.com, his 48-minute production by position PER is a healthy 19.1, while his counterpart is near the league average (15.2). He's contributing to his team's success while helping limit his counterpart's impact, with a differential of +3.9.

* * *

On the court, everything is just better. Better than last year, better than the last guy, better than most of his NBA counterparts. But I would contend that Brandon Jennings' on-court prowess is merely a fraction of the reason why he's so important to NBA basketball in Milwaukee.

Consider again the Allen Iverson paradigm. A small man in a sport populated by giants should have no business imposing his will on the game, but A.I. did just that. But even beyond that, he was a national lightning rod and a cultural icon. He didn't make the NBA what it is now, but he affected the environment around it. His image was praised by some and reviled by others, but what was most important was that it was his image, not one given to him by a coach or an owner or a city.

The NBA is a sport run by superstars, and Iverson was the first one to really allow the world to see who he was. He did not put up a facade, he did not fake his way through interviews, and he did not mince words with anyone. He would shoot when he wanted, score when he wanted, and anybody who wanted to step to him would go right ahead, if you please, but only if you're willing to accept the consequences. Call him a hero or call him a thug; he called himself Allen.

This admittedly lengthy tangent (which also serves as a love note to one of my all-time favorite players) does not directly relate to Jennings, but it helped set the stage for what Jennings is (and can become). Compton upbringing aside, Brandon does not have the checkered past that Iverson had. His cross-country transfer to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia was as much about basketball as it was getting into an environment more conducive to his development as both an athlete and a person.

Oak Hill was where he demonstrated the skills, but the national spotlight was where he brought out the swag. Displaying the high-top fade at the McDonald's All-American Game (in Milwaukee!) was just the beginning. The top-ranked college recruit and winner of (at least) 4 prestigious player of the year awards had a chance to attend big-time NCAA hoops programs...and turned them all down. Instead, he wanted to prove a point by signing with Lottomatica Roma in the top Italian league.

His time in Rome was both a financial success and a basketball head-scratcher. His stats were far from impressive, as he clearly struggled to adjust to both the European game and actually being held accountable by a coaching staff. But the contract he signed with the club was outdone by the deal struck with UnderArmour, as Brandon became the headliner for the brand's foray into the basketball world. Going against juggernauts like Nike and Reebok would be folly for anyone who didn't relish the role of "underdog"...but we all know how Jennings feels about that.

* * *

Then came the 2009 draft, where Jennings stayed at the hotel to avoid the embarrassment that comes with slipping out of the lottery. After all, he was an unproven commodity who struggled in an overseas league, how good could he be? But when the Bucks selected him at 10th overall, it only took him 3 more picks to make his way to Radio City Music Hall and meet David Stern on the stage. The underdog was being given a shot, and he wanted everybody to know it.

Soon after the draft, Jennings got a call from rapper Joe Budden, who unbeknownst to him decided to broadcast the conversation live on the Internet (link NSFW). Jennings' ego definitely got the best of him, where he put the following people on blast: Ricky Rubio, Jordan Hill, the Knicks fans, the Knicks in general, Chris Duhon, and eventually Budden himself. It was an unfortunate PR hit, but Jennings never backed down from what he said (and still won't, if his performances against the Knicks are any indication).

Jennings mentioned that he didn't know if Scott Skiles would start him, but start he did, and he got off to a fast one. We all remember the Night of 55, which set the expectation for Jennings' rookie year higher than he could reach. But there were always those flashes of brilliance, and the fact that he started all 82 games and helped take the Atlanta Hawks to six games in the first round gave us hope that he could get back to that level.

Everyone was disappointed when he regressed heavily during his sophomore campaign. Sure, the broken foot didn't help matters, but we all thought that the fast start was a fluke. He was just another undersized shooting guard running the point, and not running it particularly well. A shooter with a broken shot isn't worth having, is it? Everyone lost confidence in Jennings, and I'm sure that there was some doubt within Jennings himself. If he wanted to recapture that magic, to get that swagger back, he would have to get back to what he did best. He needed to have fun again.

(via)

Oddly enough, the lockout gave Jennings a chance to do what he does best: have fun playing basketball. The level of competition here is nothing compared to the Association, but I'll be damned if I don't grin every time I see Brandon bounce the rock off that poor kid's forehead. The lockout also gave him more time to train physically, which you can see through the excellent Under the Armour series. With Kendrick Lamar's Section.80 playing in the background, Brandon Jennings let his swag regenerate and reinforce his confidence in his own abilities while maintaining the beloved underdog role. Sure, it might have been corporate branding, but don't try to tell me that Jennings struggled to play the role of "Curator of Cool".

* * *

When everything comes together is when beautiful things can happen. For Brandon Jennings, when the natural ability, the grueling offseason work, the youthful exuberance, and the pure, unadulterated swag all come together, this is what you get:

(via)

Against three of the most talented players in the world and one of the toughest defenses in the league, Jennings simply imposed himself over the visiting Heat. But that's not even the best part. Watch the video again, and go to the 2:13 mark.

Look at the crowd.

Brandon Jennings can do what most think is impossible. In a season when we expect nothing, he can make NBA basketball in Milwaukee relevant again. And all he has to do is be himself. That is what he means to us.

Allen Iverson was himself, and the city of Philadelphia embraced him for it. Brandon Jennings is himself, and the city of Milwaukee is starting to truly accept him.

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NBA basketball is a beautiful game where it often feels like most talented players on the planet operate in an organic and reflexive way, but careful design by coaches always guides the process. Occasionally the design and execution of a set play pushes to the forefront of the action, and head coaches flash their play-making ability that is usually operating behind the scenes. This series is meant to make sure quality plays that translate perfectly from the white board to court are re-examined and explored more thoroughly.

This post takes a look at a Mike Dunleavy three-pointer, assisted by Stephen Jackson, from the third quarter of the Jan. 25th game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Houston Rockets. The Bucks managed to pull off an unexpected 105-99 road win, and plays like this certainly helped the effort. The other plays analyzed so far this season are: (1) Brandon Jennings' defensive breakdown in the fourth quarter in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks and (2) a Shaun Livingston dunk assisted by Drew Gooden in a Bucks win over the Houston Rockets.

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Game situation: Andrew Bogut left the game at the 2:31 mark in the opening period with what turned out to be a broken ankle, but the Bucks closed a 10-point halftime deficit in the third quarter with a decisive 20-0 run. Scott Skiles had a very nice game, and ran an interesting set play to get Mike Dunleavy a wide open look at a three in the left corner. Here's how it happened.

A few things you should know: I make up the names for the plays based on their features and draw my own observations after selecting and replaying the clip an unhealthy amount on mySynergySports.com.

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Box Score

MILWAUKEE -- You get the feeling, watching Brandon Jennings and the Bucks, that you should not stop watching Brandon Jennings and the Bucks.

You get the feeling, I get the feeling, everyone at the Bradley Center got that feeling.

LeBron James personally won the first quarter (24-23), and the Bucks as a team won the rest (24-20, 29-19, 29-18). As a team, without Andrew Bogut for the entire game and without Stephen Jackson for the final three quarters. But as a team, with a dedication to ball movement and with the energy of a thousand suns -- and for a night the earth indeed revolved around Milwaukee.

This game was like when you wake up really early in the morning, earlier than you want to wake up, only you were in the midst of a vivid dream, so you momentarily think that all that fragmented, disorienting, weird, impossible stuff in your dream is real. You are excited, confused. Only in this case, all that fragmented, disorienting, weird, impossible stuff in your dream is real.

When you wake up tomorrow, LeBron James really will still have scored 24 points in the first quarter. Brandon Jennings really still will have scored 14 points in the fourth quarter. The Bucks really will have made a 34-point swing against the most fearsome team in the NBA, and really will be 2-0 against the Heat in the last couple weeks.

Not that you will be able to fall asleep anytime soon now. Not with this win coursing through you.

But is this sustainable? Are we really getting a true reading of the team over the last week, or learning anything yet about the potential of the Bucks? Only one thing is clear: You finally understand all of the hype, you know why never to miss a Miami Heat game.

Because every once in a while, they play the Milwaukee Bucks.

Three Bucks

Brandon Jennings. The 9-25 shooting effort marks one of Brandon's most inaccurate shooting nights (36.0 %) this season. And it also marks the perfect time to explain TS% -- or true shooting percentage -- for the uninitiated. The formula is PTS / (2 * (FGA + 0.44 * FTA)). In essence, it accounts for all shots fairly, whether they are two-pointers or three-pointers or free throws.

And Brandon's TS% tonight was 54.3 %. Coming into the game, his TS% was a very respectable 54.1 %. He finished last season at 49.3 %.

But this was more than advanced stats. This was bringing back the monocle (7-14 on threes), this was taking care of the ball (zero turnovers) despite being involved in everything, this was about active, hand-clapping defense, and this was taking over the game in the end (14 points in fourth quarter).

In all, 31 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 0 turnovers.

Brandon Jennings: Coach canceled shootaround today, but I decided to just come in and get a workout in. Just to get some extra shots and it kind of paid off toward the end tonight.

Luc Mbah a Moute. You have heard this story before, but tonight it bears repeating: Mbah a Moute capably guarded just about everyone, no matter their size or skill level. This time it was the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, three of the most difficult covers in the world. And with a hand in their face, he had a hand in slowing both of them, so don't worry that he didn't have a block or steal.

Also, the Prince missed one shot tonight, and it was an airball hook from five feet. He skillfully got into places where he could be effective around the rim, and finished the night 6-7 from the field with 13 points.

Ersan llyasova. The Bucks have struggled to keep opposing teams off the offensive glass this season, but Ersan has been causing the opposition similar problems over the past couple weeks. Getting back to his tipping and timing best on the boards, Ilyasova hauled in 7 offensive rebounds -- one shy of Miami's 8 total offensive rebounds. He was also crafty with the ball, and made some of the defining plays of the game as Milwaukee raucously turned the night in its favor in the fourth quarter.

He started the fourth quarter by hitting an and-one over Chris Bosh, followed that up with a stuff of Norris Cole on the other end that led to a Brandon Jennings layup that gave Milwaukee its first lead since early in the first quarter, 81-79, and then pulled down a big offensive rebound on the next play down.

And he played another effective game without even attempting a three-pointer.

Three Numbers

10-23. Opponents attempt 22.2 three-pointers per game against the Heat -- most in the NBA. The wings swarm and move and cut off driving lanes, forcing teams to be the Heat from outside. And that is just what the Bucks did, making 10-23 (.443) threes, including 7-11 in the second half.

30. Six straight games with 20+ assists for the Bucks. And the 30 they racked up tonight (contrasted by 12 turnovers) tied a season-high set in a loss to Phoenix.

4-16. Miami Thrice (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh) combined to shoot 4-16 in the fourth quarter.

Three Good

Back Up. After losing their first six games without Andrew Bogut this season, the Bucks have now won three in a row without their star defensive force -- keep in mind they also posted a comeback win over Houston in the game in which Bogut was injured and played just nine minutes. And don't look now -- actually, yes please look now -- the Bucks have hit 100 points in five straight games, and their offense is almost exactly league-average (and startlingly close to their defensive efficiency).

And Bogut's fill-in, Drew Gooden (17 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists), continues to turn unabashed doubters into merely confused, moderate skeptics.

Quick Starters. Before the game, I was washing my hands at the Bradley Center after eating, and as always, there was a tip basket for the kind soul who passes paper towel with which to dry your hands. I suspected that it was going to be an odd and charming night when a kid, no more than eight years old, nonchalantly tossed a single dollar bill into the basket as he approached the sink next to me.

And sure enough, just as my night started with a kick, the Bucks consistently started with a kick. This is how the Bucks started each quarter: 7-6 in the first, 8-0 in the second, 8-0 in the third, 5-0 in the fourth.

Motown. At 10-11, the Bucks now have a chance to reach .500 on Friday when they play the Detroit Pistons -- losers of seven straight and owners of a 4-20 record -- at The Palace of Auburn Hills. While Milwaukee is liable to drop a game to just about anyone -- witness losses to the Bobcats and Kings -- they have had Detroit's number in two games so far this season. If all goes according to plan in Detroit, the Bucks will have a chance to have a winning record on Saturday when the Bulls come to town in a game that could be almost as fun as tonight's.

Three Bad

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2011/2012 NBA Season
	vs.
9-11 (6-2 home)		16-5 (6-3 road)
February 1, 2012
Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
7:00 PM CT
Radio: 620 WTMJ TV: FSN Wisconsin
Probable starters:
Brandon Jennings	PG	Mario Chalmers
Shaun Livingston	SG	Dwyane Wade
Carlos Delfino	SF	LeBron James
Luc Mbah a Moute	PF	Chris Bosh
Drew Gooden	C	Joel Anthony
(17th) 102.1 - OFFENSE - 108.4 (2nd)
(15th) 102.4 - DEFENSE - 100.2 (9th)
(10th) 92.3 - PACE - 93.7 (3rd)

On the Heat: Hot Hot Hoops / Peninsula is Mightier / ESPN Heat Index / South Florida Sun-Sentinel

After taking down the Miami Heat by a score of 91-82 in the first of three head-to-head matchups in the 2011-12 NBA season, the Milwaukee Bucks will be looking to claim the season series over LeBron James and company at the Bradley Center on Wednesday. This might be the biggest home game on the schedule before playoff implications come into play in April. Here's why: (1) the game features a marquee conference opponent with serious star power that should create a great atmosphere at the BC, (2) it will help to clarify where the Bucks stand after a surprising 5-2 surge in their last seven games, and (3) I'm terrified to attach any serious meaning to the upcoming home game against Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.

LeBron James Is The Best Basketball Player On The Planet Right Now: Regardless of how you feel about King James and the process that landed him in Miami, there is little doubt that he is playing the best basketball of anyone in the NBA right now. When Frank noted that the Luc Mbah a Moute, Stephen Jackson, Carlos Delfino and Shaun Livingston did well "containing LeBron James (28 pts, 8/18 fg, 13 rebs, 5 ast, 3 to)" in the recap of the Jan 22 win, he was absolutely correct. That otherwise outstanding stat line represents a good defensive effort against James this season. Think about that for a second.

I will let Bill Simmons of Grantland hammer the point home just to make sure I don't obfuscate James' dominance:

I always thought Jordan's 1988-89 season (32.5 PPG, 8.0 APG, 8.0 RPG, 2.9 SPG, 53.8 percent FG, 85 percent FT, 31.1 PER) was the most impressive statistical season by a modern perimeter player ... and yet, here's LeBron averaging 29.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 55 percent shooting and a 33.38 PER (highest ever) during a condensed schedule. It's impossible. How can someone have their greatest season during THIS season?

If you can't find a way to enjoy or appreciate watching LeBron James, the NBA might not be for you. Real talk.

Brandon Jennings is the best basketball player on the Bucks right now. It's hard to argue with Jennings' performance over the last 10 games -- 21.4 points and 5.2 assists per game on 45.6 percent shooting -- and if he leaves his ugly first two seasons in the dust there won't be much left to argue about. Brandon is making some better decisions with the basketball, but even when he does not he has been hitting contested fade away jumpers and threes. In his first matchup against the Heat he shot just 5-20 from the field and 1-10 from beyond the arc, but stabilized his night in a rare way by getting to the free throw line 13 times -- he only averages 3.1 free throw attempts per game this season, which is alarmingly low for someone who takes technical shots and gets to ice games in chase-and-foul scenarios. How far has Jennings come so far this season? Really far. Here is where he currently ranks among NBA point guards who average 20+ minutes per game in the 2011-12 season:

Brandon Jennings' rankings among PGs with 20+ Minutes Per Game In 2011-12

This is a huge improvement over his early career, and hopefully proof that he can continue to move into the top half of players at his position. If there is any truth to the recent surge from the Bucks, Brandon Jennings is at the epicenter of that movement towards a .500 record.

Return Of Big Three Requires Return Of Big D. Dwyane Wade missed the first first matchup with the Bucks due to a lingering ankle injury, but he recently returned to the lineup and has scored 65 points in last three games combined. He may not quite be 100 percent, but his production is right back at the level where he left off. Andrew Bogut has always done wonders for covering up perimeter gaffes and protecting the paint on defense, but now Skiles will have to find creative ways to mix lineups and put top defenders on both Wade and James to keep them shooting jumpers all night. If the Bucks fail to keep those two out of the lane, it is going to be a long night, as Drew Gooden isn't exactly a strong interior presence. Can Carlos Delfino and Shaun Livingston do enough to stop Wade and allow LRMAM to focus on James?

Power In Numbers. While the Heat rely on three players to dominate, the Bucks use a deep rotation and try to ride the hot hand. In recent games, everyone has been doing their job almost too well. In the past four games:

• Beno Udrih has dished out 24 assists while committing just 3 turnovers.
• Drew Gooden has averaged 18.3 points on 56.5 percent shooting to go with 7.5 rebounds per game.
• Mike Dunleavy has averaged 14.3 points on 61.8 percent shooting and has looked a lot more comfortable and explosive on the court.
• The Bucks bench has outscored the opposing team's bench in all four contests, and often by a wide margin.

Complete team efforts are what the Bucks will need to beat good NBA teams, and what better time to find out whether the formula is workable and sustainable than Wednesday night against the Miami Heat.

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Welcome to “Thoughts to Section 211″ which will serve as my new weekly column to share my thoughts as a fan in the seats of an NBA team. In my particular case, I’m a Milwaukee Bucks season ticket holder and stake my claim to the economically aging Bradley Center. I don’t intend with this column to break down offenses, post game recaps, or do anything resembling what a beat reporter would do. Frankly beat reporting sounds like work, and I’m merely looking for an outlet to discuss my experience as an NBA fan.

With that in mind, here we go.

The Milwaukee Bucks first preseason home game is tonight. I would be lying to you if I said I wasn’t excited to be back watching live NBA basketball, but expectations must be tempered, it’s still preseason basketball. The Bucks play the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that throttled them in their first preseason game, but the re-matchup holds a little less intrigue as Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio won’t be playing.

Besides being the first game at the Bradley Center since April of last year (the free intrasquad scrimmage is neat, but still just a glorified practice), it’s the first game since the NBA lockout and follows another off-season of major roster moves for the Bucks.

Of note with the roster moves is one that appears certainly combustible, Stephen Jackson. Now I couldn’t care less about Jackson’s emerging second career as a hip-hop artist, but I am paying to hopefully see him produce on the court and that’s the problem. Last time I remember Stephen Jackson at the Bradley Center he was getting tossed out of a game in the first quarter while playing for the Charlotte Bobcats and I was getting quite a laugh. The Bucks were clearly overmatched because of injuries, and Jackson more or less cost his team the game less than 5 minutes into it. The time before that which I can clearly remember? Brandon Jennings lighting him and the Warriors up for 55 points, to which it didn’t seem Jackson was putting in that great of an effort on the defensive end. Nothing short of not impressive.

Now he’s a member of the deer and throwing up tweets about his pining for a contract extension “First day of camp. Made it threw. I know alot of people happy. Still want what i deserve. Asap. Patience is thin.” All of which is a bit odd, because he has another year on his deal left. The reason why? The ESPN NBA Today podcast recently clued me in that Jackson was actually extended a year early in Golden State, so perhaps that’s how he believes things should work.

All that aside, Jackson had an epidural this week for his back pains. I’m sure he’s feeling great now, but I can see a day a few weeks from now where the pain comes surging back and he’s missing lots of games AND asking for a contract extension. He has the potential to be more or less Corey Maggette Part Two!

In short, I have little faith that the Stephen Jackson experiment ends well. He has the ability to score points in bunches which should be make it entertaining at least for a few games. The organization meanwhile should rush to get acquainted with how to spell his name, I’ve caught two typos calling him Steven this week already and it’s only Wednesday.

Also of note were the Bucks additions of Shaun Livingston (who I was hoping they would add as a free agent last summer) and Beno Udrih, who hopefully will bring a high efficiency style of play that should keep the team in games.

Going on the record now, despite former Badger Jon Leuer’s first game going pretty well, I don’t expect anything productive to come from him this year. Just my gut feeling, he went in the second round for a reason. I’m pretty surprised he left his German team to come to camp this year. Not how I expected the roster situation to play out there, especially given that he’s essentially slotting himself to be the 15th man and a role where he regularly dons a suit, not a jersey.

Anyway, I’ve got a lot more thoughts to share as I try to get back in the habit of writing about basketball, but it’s time to head on over to the Fortress on Fourth and watch some basketball for a change.

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In the Time of Bobby Cox

I just finished reading SLAM Executive Editor Lang Whitaker’s book about spending the past 20 years with Bobby Cox (mostly through a one-way television connection). In the Time of Bobby Cox: The Atlanta Braves, Their Manager, My Couch, Two Decades, and Me details Lang’s entry into adulthood alongside one of the greatest runs a baseball team has ever gone on (14 consecutive division titles can’t be argued against). It’s a story of one man’s love of his team.

I’ve included a short review I wrote below, but checkout the book if you’re so inclined.

I’m not a Braves fan, so I wasn’t sure if this was the book for me. On top of that, I’m not extremely knowledgeable about the history of the Braves.

Turns out, I didn’t need to be either to enjoy this book. The book is as much about Lang’s journey into adulthood as it is about the Braves, which made it an easier read than just a straight Braves history book.

I found myself engaged in the book, but it’s not something I’m going to be telling everyone I know to read (my 5-star rating standard). I’m not sure why that is, I enjoyed reading it, it just wasn’t life changing.

My next test (4-stars) is would I tell my friends that are into baseball to read it before other baseball books. I’m not sure I would. If they’re into the Braves certainly, but I’m not sure a die-hard Brewers fan gets a lot out of this book if he isn’t interested in Lang’s journey. Moneyball and others are these perspective altering books, Lang’s book is a story of a man’s journey with his team.

I’ve been a SLAM subscriber for years, and that’s what ultimately pushed me over the top to read the book. I’m glad I did. If you’re going to read just one book this year, this probably isn’t it. However, if you’re into reading about sports, you will likely enjoy this book, especially if you have a relationship with a must-watch favorite team.

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Meet the newest member of the Milwaukee Bucks, and a potential candidate for Scott Skiles new best friend, Jon Brockman. Hopefully he can flourish into a Big Baby Davis type body who can provide solid minutes off the bench.

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This t-shirt from Philly Phaitful features Dr. J, Dr. Julius Erving, twirling the ABA ball on his finger.

The more amazing thing is that I still want to buy this shirt despite Dr. J being involved in one of the weirder situations ever in Bucks’ history. I’ll let Wikipedia summarize…

When he became eligible for the NBA draft in 1972, the Milwaukee Bucks picked him in the first round (12th overall). This move would have brought him together with Oscar Robertson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Instead, the 6′ 7″, 210 pound Erving signed a contract with the Atlanta Hawks before the 1972–73 season.^[1]

As attorneys tried to reach an agreement among three teams in two leagues, Erving joined Pete Maravich and the Hawks’s training camp, as they prepared for the upcoming season. Erving enjoyed his brief time with Atlanta, and he would later duplicate with George Gervin his after-practice playing with Maravich. He played three exhibition games with the Hawks until, because of a legal injunction, he was obliged by a three-judge panel to return to the ABA Squires. The NBA fined Atlanta $25,000 per game for Erving’s Hawks appearances because Milwaukee owned his NBA rights.

So yes, Dr. J could have made everyone feel the high-flying deer. Who knows, maybe Lew Alcindor can’t leave town if Dr. J is around and the Bucks win 5 titles. Or maybe Dr. J blows out his knee, and this t-shirt is never made. Oh the possibilities!

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What if LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh formed a boy band instead of a basketball team (the minimum-salaried vets would sing backup of course)? It would probably look just like this.

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There is some absolutely excellent anti-Lebron James clothing out there. My personal favorite has to be this shirt about “The Decision” on ESPN.

Hat tip to SlideRuleJockey on RealGM for linking me to a whole collection of anti-James shirts.

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By now you’ve seen the infamous, “Bango on the stairs dunk”, but have you seen Kenny, Charles, and Ernie try to do it themselves?

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Enjoy! It’s a lot easier to watch when it’s full screen, for what it’s worth.

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The latest “Protect This House – I WILL” commercial from Under Armour features Young Buck’s journey from Rome to Milwaukee, and the work he’s put in. Along the way there are plenty of images of Milwaukee, including the skyline, a nasty smokestack, and 9th Street entrance to the Milwaukee County Courthouse under MacArthur Square. Unfortunately the airport code for Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Airport is MKE not MIL. The Bucks three-letter code in the NBA is MIL.

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It’s time for another edition of everyone’s favorite infrequently posted blog segment, the NBA Clothing Spotlight. With the Bucks recent hot play, this item is centered around one of the deer that should be feared.

Moute Kicks Boute

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is the silent assassin on the Bucks. He typically has to defend the best offensive player on the other team, be it Dirk Nowitzki or Kevin Durant. As a reward for his hard work, Mbah a Moute never gets a single play called for him. So how does he post a career average of seven points a game? The offensive glass. Despite being undersized as a starting power forward, Luc Richard yanks down over two offensive rebounds a game. Those rebounds usually go straight back up and result in two points for the good guys.

How can you honor a defensive stopper who is arguably the hardest worker in the league? Buy his t-shirt.

Past Editions of NBA Clothing Spotlight

• Zombie Sonics

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