Game 40: Raptors/Bucks
by Frank Madden on Jan 20, 2010 10:57 AM CST
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| 2009/2010 NBA Season | ||
|---|---|---|
| vs. |  |
|
| 21-21 (8-15 road) | 16-23 (11-7 home) |
|
| January 20, 2010 | ||
| Bradley Center |
||
| 7:00 PM CT |
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| Radio: 620 WTMJ TV: FSN Wisconsin |
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| Probable starters: | ||
| Jarrett Jack | PG | Brandon Jennings |
| DeMar DeRozan |
SG | Charlie Bell |
| Hedo Turkoglu |
SF | Luc Mbah a Moute |
| Chris Bosh |
PF | Ersan Ilyasova |
| Andrea Bargnani |
C | Andrew Bogut |
| 111.2 (4th) - OFFENSE - 102.3 (26th) |
||
| 112.6 (30th) - DEFENSE - 103.9 (7th) |
||
|
92.9 (13th) - PACE - 93.6 (10th) |
||
Linkage
RaptorsHQ / The Score / Raptors Republic / Dino Nation
News/notes after the jump...
JS: Stackhouse to learn on the fly
“We worked him out and he went through practice today,” said coach Scott Skiles after Tuesday’s practice. “He looked pretty good so we’ll play him the game tomorrow and see what he can do.
“In the past, he’s obviously been an NBA scorer. He’s been able to post-up and score on people. Drive the ball and get to the foul line. And he has a high level of toughness about him. So we’ll put him out there and see what he does.”
Michael Hunt also has a pretty good take on the Bucks' latest signing:
And the Bucks? With no major moves possible, they've got no choice except to see if Stackhouse has anything left.
Even if it's not Option A, sometimes there's something to be said for mutual necessity.
Alexander heading to Fort Wayne
In our Stackhouse story we mentioned that the domino effect of signing Stackhouse to play off guard would cut into Joe Alexander's opportunities at the forward positions, so it's neither surprising nor coincidental that Ridiculous Upside reported this morning that Alexander will be joining the Bucks' D-League affiliate this week.
As a fan I've had a hard time giving up on Alexander--lottery picks with explosive athleticism are tough that way--but it's difficult to say the the Bucks feel the same way. Sending a player to the D-League is usually an attempt to think long-term about a player who might otherwise struggle to get PT, but when you've already declined his option for next year it's harder to make the same case. Maybe this is only a temporary thing, and odds are it can help him in the long run, but it just doesn't seem like the Bucks will be the ones reaping the benefits of it.
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I’m really unimpressed by Hammond’s decisions thus far as GM. He doesn’t seem to plan for the future or make smart trades or inspired signings. The vast majority of his moves have been ignored or openly mocked at a national level as amongst the worst in recent memory. Very few non-homers believe in this guy. How can the Bucks turn it around with Hammond focusing on a traditional, veteran centric team building approach? He seems vulnerable to GMs like Presti and Morey who will have a statistical advantage.
Disagree
Hammond inherited a team stuck in the mediocrity rut(you win enough games not get a high draft pick but not enough to really ever contend) and in a horrible financial situation. He is taking it one step at a time and practicing fiscal responsibility. Once he improves the cap situation and he has a few drafts under his belt this team will be much different and will be competative. I guarantee that. Look at Detroit and how they built their teams. Look at what they have done since Hammond has left(sucked it up, signed Charlie V to a big contract). Hammond has made some great moves so far and has taken a few steps already towards building a contender. These are: signing an above average coach in Skiles, getting a potential franchise cornerstone in Jennings, filled the roster with good role players. The Bucks are two pieces from being a contender(Athletic 4 + wing Scorer). Hammond will acquire these in the next few years and you will eat your words.
I think the jury's out
If Jennings becomes a perennial all-star then all the smaller mistakes don’t seem to matter…maybe that’s naive, but I think being a GM is like venture capital. It’s all about hitting one or two home runs and then being able to tweak around those guys.
As of now, I think the most painful thing is the Alexander pick—just looking at the list of guys passed over is rough. Aside from that, he also passed on trading Redd for expirings to Cleveland in the summer of 2008 and then passed on trading Redd+Sessions for LaFrentz last year. I think you can make a good case for not doing either of those things at the time, but in hindsight it kills you. Not re-signing CV or Sessions is looking pretty smart, despite a lot of people being ticked off at the time.
by Frank Madden on Jan 20, 2010 8:00 PM CST up reply actions
The RJ trade was mocked but needed to be done. We need to slash payroll in order to get some flexibility in the future. RJ was never part of this teams long term plan. Letting Charlie V walk rather than paying him 9 million a year was a great, great move. I probably would have liked them to keep Sessions and then use him as a chip for trading though.
Hammonds Grade so far: B
We lost RJ, Charlie V and Sessions for nothing. If Hammond had a plan he’d have gotten something for them. He somehow manages to sign players that are not only out of the NBA but out of basketball (Delfino, Stackhouse), while ignoring the potential of the D League. Now, he’s clinging to the possibility of an eighth seed. It seems like he really is hanging on to Ridnour and Thomas and all of our expirings. Hey, maybe he’ll be able to re-sign Ridnour to a nice deal!
Unless he has something shocking up his sleeves, Hammond’s bringing us the same old in Milwaukee. It’s a different formula, but it’s getting the same results.
by MadTown Hoops on Jan 20, 2010 5:27 PM CST up reply actions
For what it’s worth, Skiles jjust said in the pregame back-and-forth that (and this is not an exact quote) it is important for the team’s young players to gain experience in important, meaningful (and playoff) games.
As much as gunning for the eight spot in the East is frustrating, I do think getting Jennings and co. some experience in the playoffs (though a short visit) would only be a good thing.
I agree
If we’re not completely tanking/rebuilding then I’d rather pick 14th and get some playoff experience than 11th and get nothing. The problem is that it only makes sense to take the half-baked approach if you think the core you have can grow into something special. Hopefully Jennings/Bogut can be cornerstone pieces, but I think it’s still early to think they can definitely form the core of a 50-win team.
by Frank Madden on Jan 20, 2010 7:39 PM CST up reply actions
Until Jennings shows he has the craftiness to find ways around the Evans and D. Williams of the world, he will be a second tier point. I love Hair, I just doubt that he’s going to save this team in the three years we have him until he bounces to the nearest sunny big market.
by MadTown Hoops on Jan 20, 2010 9:36 PM CST up reply actions
I never like seeing teams tank expecially not the Bucks. I would take the 8th seed and the 14th pick over the 6th pick any day. It makes the games exciting throughout the whole season. This draft is shaping up to be a very solid draft with a lot of talent at the spots the Bucks need.
At the 2 we potentially have:Wesley Johnson, Evan Turner, Xavier Henry, Avery Bradley, Willie Warren
Athletic 4’s include: Derrick Favors(Amare comparisons), Ed Davis(Chris Bosh comparisons), Patrick Patterson, Greg Monroe(although not an uber athlete), DeMarcus Cousins(more of a 5 but the guy is huge and young), Larry Sanders, Craig Brackens
I would love to get any one of those guys really but would cream myself if we got Favors or Davis. I would also like Patrick Patterson as he is an old-school back to the basket smash your face in 4. http://www.nbadraft.net/players/patrick-patterson
Forgt Gani Lawal of Georgia Tech as well. Atheltic 4 with upside.
by Superelkman on Jan 21, 2010 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
No stopping Bosh
This is why we want that athletic 4. Bosh is too strong for Ilyasova and Warrick, but too quick for Bogut. Drew’s having no problem scoring on Bargs (6/7 fg) but the Bucks haven’t been able to ride him like the Raps can ride Bosh.
Jennings again struggling from the field (2/11 fg), Calderon (10 pts on 4 shots) really took it to him in the second.
On the bright side, if you’re feeling down about Michael Redd’s contract, remember that the Raps gave Hedo Turkoglu $50 million last summer.
Great Win
Wow, the Bucks showed heart, digging in to win even after losing Bogut to fouls. I loved the follow through with Mbah a Moute and Ilyasova getting absolutely huge putbacks.
BIG
Bosh did anything he wanted, but fortunately the Bucks had a bunch of guys contributing rather than just one. Bargnani predictably couldn’t stop Bogut and Delfino was excellent, but I definitely wasn’t feeling too optimistic when Drew fouled out.
Six straight double/doubles for Bogut, eight straight with 11+ boards, five straight with 2+ blocks. I can tolerate the offensive clunkers a lot better when he’s doing the other stuff every night.
by Frank Madden on Jan 20, 2010 10:08 PM CST up reply actions
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