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There has been excitement in the air surrounding the play of not only rookie sensation PG Brandon Jennings (25/6 asst) of the Milwaukee Bucks (6-3), but the unselfish hard nosed effort of the overall team as well.

Milwaukee has been among the league leaders in all the top rebounding categories, perhaps until now. Adding to the growing list of walking wounded list that already includes Michael Redd, Luc Richard Mbah A Moute, and until recently Carlos Delfino, we can now add center Andrew Bogut to the list.

Bogut, the Bucks fifth year center through nine games, was averaging (16/9). The former overall number one pick hurt his left leg during the waning moments of the fourth quarter in Milwaukee’s 99-85 win over New Jersey at the Bradley Center on Wednesday last.

An MRI on Thursday revealed a “contusion”. He is expected to be out approximately 2 to 4 weeks. Bogut missed 43 games last season with a back injury, and in 2007/2008 he also missed 18 games due to a leg injury.

Not only will they miss his scoring and rebounding, but his defense, passing and leadership as well. In addition, Bogut was developing a very .nice on court relationship with Jennings in the pick and roll.

Replacing Bogut will be the Bucks top priority heading in to tonight contest at home against the Charlotte Bobcats (3-8). Options currently on the roster are backup center Dan Gadzurich, Kurt Thomas and Francisco Elson.



Gadzurich, the former UCLA Bruin is arguably the fastest center in the league from baseline to baseline, but he is also erratic. He doesn’t have good hands, seems to rush things in the half court, and is foul and turnover prone historically.

Bucks Head Coach Scott Skiles seems to have Gadz playing under control in limiting him to what amounts to five minute stretches spelling Bogut each half through the first nine games.

If Danny G plays major minutes, will he play within himself as he has this season, or will he revert back to his old, turnover prone, stone hands player Bucks fans have lived and groaned with for the last past seven seasons?

Kurt Thomas is another option. The 37 year old fifteen year veteran warhorse knows how to defend, is a wide body, and can knock down a nice short to mid range jumper. Thomas started the first two games this year, prompting Skiles to realize Kurt is “too slow to play with us”.

Francisco Elson has been inactive most of the season. He also is of average talent and limited offensively.

If the Bucks get in to a game of small ball they could opt to go with Hakim Warrick or perhaps even Ersan Iyasova in stretches. In any case it will take a small village to replace what Bogut brings to the table.

This exposes what I wrote about recently that Milwaukee goesn’t have a second Big next to Andrew. That should be General Manager Jon Hammond’s top priority this next off season.

But tonight and in the foreseeable future, Yung Buck3 (Jennings) may have to shoulder even more of the load than he is doing now. Redd isn’t due back for at least two more games, Mbah Moute is questionable for tonight.

So the likes of Ersan, Luke Ridnour, Charlie Bell, the disappearing Warrick, Jodi Meeks, Carlos Delfino, everyone top to bottom including Jennings will need to up their game until the calvary returns.



The Bucks will be facing Stephen Jackson twice in seven days, first with the Golden State Warriors, and now after being traded to the Bobcats. Jackson will be playing his third game with his new team while averaging 19 points and 45 minutes per game in two Charlotte road loses this week.

The Bucks would like to end their six game home (4-1 so far) with a win before heading out on a four game Southern Swing.

Tip off is at 7:30 CST