Game Thread: Bucks vs. Mavs

Jerel McNeal is playing right now with the Kings…not doing much so far.

John Hammond and Joe Dumars are sitting next to each other as they watch the Kings/Pistons. The entire Bucks braintrust is in the house…McKinney and Weltman seated near Hammond, the coaching staff on the other side of the gym.

Terry Stotts and Larry Harris are now catching up—probably not recounting their glory days in Milwaukee.

is how Jennings receives coaching. Even though Skiles isn’t there, I want to know how he reacts to coaches and/or teammates working with him on the sidelines, in the huddle, whatever. It’ll go a long way towards figuring out if he’s serious about being an NBA player…or just being a basketball player.

Why don’t you just swing by UNLV and watch the Bucks???

are the ones in Atlantic City. That’s my main excuse.

My mom used to work for an airline. Before she got laid off (just like everyone else), I could have flown round trip for free. I almost went two years ago, but I couldn’t get tickets.

The NBA is a small world: Carlisle sitting a row in front of his assistant Terry Stotts, who’s six rows ahead of the guy who (kinda) hired him Larry Harris, who’s three rows in front of the guy who replaced him John Hammond, who’s next to his old boss Joe Dumars. Ty Lue, Ronny Turiaf, and Marcus Camby also in the house.

Luc and Joe are laughing it up with Tyronn Lue near the bleachers.

Alexander isn’t doing the pre-game dunk routine he did last year. Jennings has missed two off-the-backboard alley-oops.

Starting lineup is what we predicted…this is a pretty stacked team for Vegas.

Skiles is watching the game by himself on one side of the court.

Johnson gets a couple early touches—turn it over on one, turns into the lane and has a righty hook goaltended.

Mbah a Moute finds Meeks for an open jumper and then drives around Luke Jackson for a finish

Lazy pass by Jennings starts a break the other way. He’s got an interesting matchup against the speedy Rodrigue Beaubois.

Jennings finds Alexander with a nice pass after getting by Beaubois, but Alexander can’t finish in traffic. Next time down the court BJ drives and gets a clear look but the ball just slips out of his hand. Not an eye-opening start as the Bucks trail 9-6 early.

Joe and Luke Jackson have dueling Frodo haircuts right now…Luke Ridnour would be proud.

Alexander and Johnson have had nice blocks in the early going.

is that the Bucks can’t even get exposure during the summer league

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-42-53/David-Thorpe-Livetweeting-from-Summer-League.html

As soon as the last game was over, David Thorpe up and leaves his liveblogging post. Sure, he’s been there all day, but at least have SOMEONE at ESPN do it.

Oh well, Frank Madden is doing better than anyone tWWL can come up with.

Two jumper misses in a row by Jennings. He’s looking a bit tight out there.

Jennings finds Meeks twice in a row for open looks…misses the first but he makes the second.

Alexander finally hits a tough hanger in the lane after missing his first few shots. He’s not do much on the defensive boards but he doesn’t look out of place at least. And then the balls flies out of his hand has he drives past a guy for a dunk. Oh well.

Stoudamire and Delaney in, BJ and Meeks out. Not a bright start for BJ.

Szymon S is in!

Not a performance to write home about.

Bucks only shot 33% from the field in the first, but the Mavs had ten turnovers, most of them on travels, palms and double-dribbles.

Jennings and Meeks back in with 8 min left in the second.

Jennings gets the break started with a nice bounce pass to Simple Simon, who gets called for a charge as he tries to throw a wraparound pass. Gee, can’t believe he’s never made it over to the NBA.

Beaubois gets by Jennings a couple times to locate open teammates…Beaubois is also a burner but Jennings needs to do better.

Still, he’s getting guys good looks—Alexander misses an open 18-footer and Meeks hits a similar shot from the left side in transition.

Jennings still looking for his first bucket as he misses in the lane, gets his own rebound and draws a loose ball foul.

Meanwhile, Alexander can’t buy a bucket from the outside.

Yes, there is a shot-clock being used.

Joe Alexander drives, glasses and one. We’ve heard about 50 “and one!” yells today, and that was probably the first time it’s actually come true.

Beaubois beats Jennings for the alley oop, then Jennings forces a 20-footer on the other end. Um, yeah.

They’re giving Alexander a lot of iso looks in the high post against Ahmad Nivins (PF).

Jennings now 0-7 after his tough reverse effort goes cannoning off the bottom of the rim. He’s finding guys fairly well but nothing is falling. On the plus side he only has one turnover, so it’s not like he’s playing out of control.

I want Joe or BJ in there at all times…Salim/Delaney/Palacios/Simon/Richard isn’t any fun.

Just lots of fouling and not scoring right now…36-34 Mavs with 3 minutes left in the third. Yikes. I don’t think the Bucks have made a field goal in the last 7 minutes.

Right wing with two minutes left…thank God he’s on the board. Then he draws a charge on the other end.

Jennings blows by Miles in the backcourt and pulls up for the 20-footer. Good finish to the quarter as the Bucks stretch to a commanding 44-39 lead. Hey, five points is a lot for this team tonight.

jennings gets into the lane, scissors his legs and gets a high-arcing teardrop to fall. He’s not going to score over guys, so that’ll be a useful shot.

And then he takes a too-quick-three on the break. Ah well.

On the other side, Ahmad Nivins has been the best player in the game. He was projected by Ford to be the Bucks’ second rounder…good strength, decent shot.

Apparently Sampson wants Amir to stay high in the lane on defense.

And then Amir swats Nivins’ shot.

And then Amir gets a steal and hits…a 20-foot jumper? Interesting. Gadzuric may have competition in the big-guys-who-shoot-too-much-from-the-outside department.

Meeks has quietly scored 13 on 6/9 fg—he’s pretty much been as advertised, just hitting shots from all over the place.

Bucks win 65-59.

More later.