Game Thread 14: Bucks/Thunder
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 1:43 AM CST
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Milwaukee Bucks at Oklahoma City Thunder, Nov 27, 2009 8:30 PM CST
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Welcome to Loud City / Daily Thunder
News/notes after the jump...
All eyes on us. It's been over a year since the Bucks were deemed worthy of being on the Worldwide Leader, so from a hype standpoint this isn't just another road game. In practical terms...well yeah, it's just another road game. And coming off a tough OT loss in New Orleans, the Bucks would be thrilled to snatch a win in any way, shape or form and end their four game Western trip at 2-2. If they don't then it's not the end of the world, but .500 could be right around the corner with home matchups against the Bulls (Saturday) and Magic (Monday) awaiting.
Stopping KD. I'm not sure there's a practical way to do that, especially if Luc Mbah a Moute misses a sixth straight game with an injured left foot. Durant's insane length means he can shoot over pretty much any forward in the league, so having the 6'6" Carlos Delfino cover him is probably asking for trouble. Nothing personal against Delfino--he's defended pretty well this season by my estimation--but the Bucks' best hope is that Durant falls in love with jumpers and happens to have an off night.
20-year olds. Brandon Jennings has rocketed to the top of everyone's rookie rankings, but he hasn't been immune to taking his rookie lumps. Of course, it's all relative. While Jennings' shooting has been bad over the past two games (10/36) and the turnovers need to come down (five in each of the last two, 3.62/g for the season), he's still contributing in other ways (7.5 apg, 5.5 rpg in the past two).
On the other side, it took third overall pick James Harden 12 games to even score in double figures, but he looks to be coming along just fine as a sixth man. After scoring 24 and 25 in back-to-back games, Harden's scored 10 in each of the last two. Not all 10-point games are equal of course: Harden shot 2/15 including 0/10 from deep against the Lakers before making 4/5 in the Thunder's big win in Utah on Tuesday. Though he's making less than 40% of his shots, nearly half his attempts come from three, where he's stroking it at a 38% clip. So all told, his TS% is still a healthy 53.2% and his PER is an impressive 17+.
Redd. If you've been following the last two games at all, then you know that Michael Redd's return hasn't been the wonder drug we kinda sorta maybe hoped it would be. Everyone was saying the right things as Redd was returning from his ACL surgery in the preseason, but we probably shouldn't be shocked that the combined effect of returning from that injury in addition to his latest patella strain has left him....off. He looks a step slow and his shot hasn't been close to what we're used to, but it's tough to say whether this is some short-term rust or something prolonged. At the very least you'd think his ability to make free throws should come back around (seriously, 1/6 against the Spurs?), but beyond that I'd just like to see him stay in the lineup (as a reserve) for a while to see what he can do when he gets some timing and confidence in his knee back.
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Anybody in here?
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 8:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'm here
Trying to figure out what happened to the team I was actually enjoying watching a week or two ago.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 8:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
easy come easy go… story of my sports life… random question sir, do you have any clue how to unsubscribe to a blog on here?
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 8:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
How so?
I mean, if all you want is not to see the content anymore, you can stop reading.
But if you’ve signed up for a membership to post somewhere, there’s not really any way to undo that. Why are you looking to unsubscribe?
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 8:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Found it
had to go onto my profiles page… I was just tired of it cluttering up my dashboard and whatnot… I’m only mildly interested in the Celtics… not enough to warrant staying on their blog…
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 8:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think I might be subscribed to around 20, across several sports.
I’d say I’ve probably only posted more than half a dozen times at about 5 of them, but it doesn’t seem to hurt anything to stay subscribed, in case the mood strikes again.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 9:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Bogut’s out. That’s what happened.
by MadTown Hoops on Nov 27, 2009 9:24 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Huh
ESPN guys just said Jennings openly said the team is at its best when he and Ridnour are on the floor. It’s clearly true, but it’s interesting to hear Jennings effectively admit the team is better without Redd on the floor.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 8:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Well, they went with Redd at SF a fair bit last game
But the reality is Jennings hasn’t played with a none-crappy Redd, so it’d be true even if it did mean Redd on the bench…I read that mainly as Jennings trying to show some love to the vet whose job he took :)
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
BTW - thanks ESPN
Now I’m going to have Daytripper in my head for the rest of the night.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 9:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That commercial was awful. I thought it was for Fifa at first. Very un-Beatles.
by MadTown Hoops on Nov 27, 2009 9:33 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
These guys are really confused by Jennings sitting early
But it seems to be a regular occurrence at this point (including the 55 pt game).
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Carlos Delfino has yet to meet a shot he isn't interested in.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 9:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Confession time
I’m fairly new to the NBA… My sister went to school with Shaun Livingston at Peoria Central, so I started as a Clippers fan (knowing full well how terrible they were/are). I still follow the Clippers, but sort of had to pick a second team to pull for (as the Clips are going NOWHERE). Im a student at the University of Northern Iowa, and picked the Bucks based on proximity and the fact that it WOULDN’T be a bandwagon choice…. I also have a good friend thats a big Bucks fan… I never really gave the NBA a chance until I started watching it with him (I’m a hockey man myself) and only watched college ball… My apologies ahead of time on my lack of Bucks knowledge…I WILL say this though: when I root for a team I jump on 100%. Hell, I have a favorite Australian Football League team haha (St. Kilda Saints!) So I look forward to becoming a true Bucks fan in time.
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
you've come to the right place
welcome :)
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't like the NBA because
I was a big SportsCenter kid growing up… too busy playing my own sports to really watch full games (except hockey. Always made time for puck haha) and SportsCenter highlights make it seem like NBA players give up on plays defensively too easily. It wasn’t until I started watching the NBA more recently that I realized its just how crazy good highlight reel offensive players are… Thats when I gave the NBA a shot. Enjoying it more than I thought I would!
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha this is also my first day on SBNation...
…after doing independent blogging for all of my favorite teams… gotta say the people here are FAR more friendly, the interface is slick, and I love it here… thanks a TON for welcoming a newbie to not only the Bucks but the NBA!
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, the SBN platform is pretty nice.
The tech team that puts it together and keeps it running might actually be the company’s strongest asset.
As for the community and friendliness: There’s good and bad everywhere, but a lot of site admins do a very good job keeping their sites friendly, on-topic and interesting.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I fully expect to run into bad eggs eventually, but this site is definitely more newbie friendly than others. Others have their tight knit group of fans and refuse to let anybody else contribute. Haven’t had that problem yet.
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You might be new, but you’re still early to the party. Welcome, this is going to be fun.
by MadTown Hoops on Nov 27, 2009 9:36 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
thanks a ton :) loving the people already, and itll be nice to have a team in COMMON with somebody where i live. i go to the university of northern iowa and a good friend of mine is a bucks fan. i am a fan of the st louis cardinals, colorado avalanche, san diego chargers, la clippers (fan-ish lol) and seattle sounders. aside from the cardinals NOBODY where i live likes ANY of these teams, save for the one bucks fan. better than nothing haha. thanks again man
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I do not understand how professional basketball players can consistently miss free throws.
It’s like an outfielder in baseball who can’t catch fly balls.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 9:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Since I'm more of an NBA fan, I'm amazed outfielders don't miss more fly balls
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Touche.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha free throws were ALL I did
I played high school basketball for ONE season and wasn’t very good. I dished well, handled ok, played acceptable defense, but was a HORRIBLE shot… EXCEPT for the stripe. Every single point I scored that season was after an intentional foul in a close game… I shot like 84% from the line and 0% from the field that season and decided that hockey was more of my thing… haha so I CAN relate to free throws anyway :)
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
^LAST horrendously long off topic post
promise :)
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that post would have been blasphemous on other boards… thats why im liking SBN so far.. you can shoot the breeze a little during the game too… thanks for that :)
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the platform makes it easier to maintain an off-topic conversation without distracting from the main attraction too much.
My favorite off topic conversations on my posts this week have been about the Muppets and macaroni and cheese.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 9:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
On the Colorado Avanche board
I posted the entire third period as a senile Lou Holtz, with complementing pictures of the old man to go with whatever he was talking about… often his friendship with Calvin Coolidge….
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
weathering the storm
My hopes coming into any Bogut-less road game is to just hang around and hope we make more plays down the stretch. So far doing OK. They’re clearly a more talented team right now, but I’m hoping they fall in love with the perimeter rather than attack us around the bucket.
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Why are we going small?
Skiles has three guards out there against Kevin Durant, Westbrook and Harden. Why not slide Ersan to SF with Warrick and Thomas?
by MadTown Hoops on Nov 27, 2009 9:22 PM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Because that's what we DO
Didn’t you enjoy watching Ridnour guard Peja last game?
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ilyasova
That does not look like a shot that should consistently fall, but I won’t complain when it does.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 9:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
good screen to set that one up, but we’re starting to look like we want to trade buckets… tough to do without a big man… great run for us though… Durant’s gotta come back in soon…
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
hey what do ya know?
looks like it DOESN’T fall consistently… good god
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ilyasova and Delfino...
have arbitrarily been assigned the roles of random guys who will carry us tonight…taking over from Ridnour/Warrick last game.
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah...
Durants back in…
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Can we have Ilyasova off the court please?
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by KLSnow on Nov 27, 2009 9:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
got burned bad there tho
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sometimes I wonder if Redd intentionally passes out of situations like that so that he doesn't hurt his fg%
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
haha
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He never shoots half-courters at the end of quarters, so that provides some insight into his mindset
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
its all about the Benjamins, babay!!!!
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Krystic was in the lane five fucking seconds on that last basket of his. Go back and check it out.
by upnorthfan on Nov 27, 2009 9:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Warrick I am telling you is Danny G and Tim Thomas reincarnate.
by upnorthfan on Nov 27, 2009 9:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
He's been moderately productive every year at least
Not a starter, but he doesn’t take seasons off at least :)
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
How do we feel about the 1st half?
The interior defense actually came up with some decent challenges at the cup in the second quarter, but overall I’m not sure we’ll be able to keep Durant and co. off the line when it comes down to it. We needed to make a lot of threes to hang in and I’m not sure how long we’ll stay hot.
The two PG backcourt has worked pretty well in the past few games, but it just seems like kind of a waste of Jennings’ talents in some ways. I’d like the ball in his hands more, and as much he can score he’s not a SG. It’s too bad Ridnour is a much better player than Michael Redd right now.
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts
I feel that if we can endeavor to amass more points than the antagonistic opposition by games end, this would be a most positive outcome for the team we mutually enjoy supporting.
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 9:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Why is Jennings only credited with two points?
For some reason Kurt Thomas was given credit for his second jumper. Yeah, they look very similar.
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 9:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Why'd Jennings slow down on that breakaway?
I don’t care if he’s trying to draw a foul on Durant, his game is speed…so GO
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 10:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Carl Lewis moment on that dunk...
“Uh-oh!”
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 10:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sloppy start to the second...
Giving up too much of the lane right now…
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 10:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This team is so toast without Bogut
Just double Jennings and the other guys can’t beat you consistently enough
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 10:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Question on D
Do the Bucks always have this much of a problem defending against the slashing drives?
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 10:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Pretty much
They foul a ton, in part because they don’t have great individual defenders who can stay in front of guys. And that weakness is even more obvious when Bogut is out, since he’s a good help defender who can also block some shots.
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 10:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Bogut's return.
He still on track for a mid-December return?
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 10:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
screw it
Just put Jennings in and tell him to start jacking
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 10:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
We are just getting burned all day with this up tempo driving offense
Is this a trend I should be getting used to?
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 10:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
up tempo is fine
athletic teams that attack the rim spell trouble
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 10:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Still waiting for Jodie Meeks to remember how to shoot
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 10:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Jennings
My buddies been talking him up all season… looks decent right now… how has he looked for the season so far?
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 10:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If you don’t bring help on him he can kill you. The problem is that without Bogut and with Redd a non-factor he’s basically playing by himself, and you can trap him and make him pass the ball to guys who can’t consistently hurt you. So it’s really tough to ask him to be a 20+ ppg guy when he’s got no support.
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 10:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
injuries are rough… when hes had opportunities he’s looked good… why is Redd such a non factor right now?
"Four goals in sixteen shots... I'm really tired of the...............25% rule." -John Tortorella
by esylvester6 on Nov 27, 2009 10:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
injuries are the obvious answer
But the reality is that he’s always been able to create shots even without being particularly athletic. So I can only assume he’s still lacking confidence in the knee and his timing is gone. I also don’t know if he’s a guy that can be a complementary player…maybe that’s why Skiles started him tonight. Even though he did it seven years ago, he may be too used to being the centerpiece at this point.
by Frank Madden on Nov 27, 2009 10:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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