Bucks/Bulls: Life after Bogut begins
by Alex Boeder on Apr 6, 2010 7:36 AM CDT
in Previews
Email
PrintA new enforcer in the middle.
| 2009/2010 NBA Season | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
@ |  |
| 37-39 (22-16 home) | 42-34 (15-23 road) |
|
| April 6, 2010 | ||
| United Center |
||
| 7:00 PM | ||
| Radio: 620 WTMJ TV: FSN Wisconsin |
||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Derrick Rose |
PG | Brandon Jennings |
| Kirk Hinrich |
SG | John Salmons |
| Luol Deng |
SF | Carlos Delfino |
| Taj Gibson |
PF | Luc Mbah a Moute |
| Joakim Noah |
C | Kurt Thomas |
| (26th) 103.4 - OFFENSE - 104.6 (23rd) |
||
| (11th) 105.5 - DEFENSE - 102.9 (3rd) |
||
| (11th) 93.2 - PACE - 92.0 (19th) | ||
Linkage
BlogaBull / Bulls by the Horns
Background.
Each of the first three head-to-head matchups have been extra-close. The Bucks blew a big lead way back in early November and lost 83-81 in Chicago, Andrew Bogut returned from injury (cruel reference) to carry Milwaukee to a 99-97 home win in late November, and the last time these two met Bogut and Michael Redd led the Bucks to a 96-93 win at the BC almost three months ago. So things have changed a bit since then.
Chicago warming.
The Bulls have won a couple in a row and appear to have left their worst basketball behind them, in early-March. They are coming off a 96-88 home win over the Bobcats on Saturday in which all five starters hit double figures and the backcourt tandem of Derrick Rose (26 points) and Kirk Hinrich (24 points?) scored big and the frontcourt starters, Joakim Noah (16 rebounds) and Taj Gibson (15 rebounds) owned the glass. That last bit is a little scary considering Bogut's absence...
Lining up without Bogut.
Bogut absolutely dominated the Bulls in three matchups, averaging 21.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks as Milwaukee won two of three. This is so frustrating. It is what it is though.
The Bucks are 2-5 without Bogut to date, with five straight losses. In the first game of the season without the Aussie, Brandon Jennings torched the Bobcats for 29/7 in a 95-88 win. The very next night, Nov. 21, Jennings didn't make a first half field goal but finished with 26 points in a 103-98 win over Memphis. And that was the last time the Bucks won a game without 'Drew.
In their only game without Bogut since the acquisitions of Salmons and Stackhouse, the Bucks were crushed 87-74 by the Heat. Of course, that was the game in which Carlos Delfino was stepped on by Udonis Haslem, and the Bucks were missing Ersan Ilyasova along with Bogut.
At the rim.
So how will the Bucks find easy baskets now? They rank dead last in the NBA in field goals made per game at the rim, with 13.8. And that was with Bogut ranking among the leaders with 3.7 makes at the rim per game. John Salmons is next with 2.4 and then it's all the way down to 1.7 per game for Mbah a Moute. You have to figure the Bucks are going to rely on three point shooting now more than ever, as they are the next most efficient type of shots after the ones coming directly at the rim. Only without Bogut, it will be more difficult than ever to get open looks from outside.
Playoff picture.
A win tonight clinches a playoff spot for the Bucks, whose magic number is two. Simple as that. Simple, but not easy: Milwaukee has dropped eight straight games in the Windy City.
The Bucks are still only half a game behind Miami for the five seed, but they only lead seventh-place Charlotte by two games. And a seventh place finish would be rather disastrous since that would produce a first-round matchup with Orlando. Dwight Howard going against a Bogut-less frontline is terrifying enough, but Vince Carter is doing 360s, Rashard Lewis (11-18 on threes this month) is heating up at the right time, and Milwaukee lost all three games against Orlando this year.
So this game is big. Because after tonight the Bucks host the Nets, who are actually playing respectably lately, having won four out of seven. And then it's @Philly, vs Boston, vs Atlanta, and @Boston. The Sixers match up very well with the Bucks, and the Celtics and Hawks, while preferred opponents to the Magic and Cavs, are awfully tough.
Ordinary Joe.
Joe Alexander's career hasn't exactly taken off since being traded to the Bulls. He is shooting 1-6 with nine fouls in eight games (29 minutes) with Chicago.
81 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Jennings v Rose
This is the matchup Milwaukee fans have to look forward to for the next 5 years. As for the Bulls’ proclivity to clean the glass, the Ersan/Luc tandem underneath should also give the undersized Bulls some resistance.
Chicks Dig The Long Ball.
I don't know about that as a the starting line-up?
Thought I wouldn’t mind seeing Both Luc and Ersan on tht floor together again, The defense is going to be key, and both are adept at rebounding on the offensive end.
Go Beer, I mean Bucks
by Take Back Our Bucks on Apr 6, 2010 8:26 AM CDT reply actions
In the table: Michael Redd at SG?
Did Carlos change his name?
Do you have a rain check from Apr 1?
Or testing to see if we pay attention?
It’s fixed. I like to tell Alex that his Achilles heel as a blogger is copy-pasting old lineups….though he did get the Kurt Thomas part right…
by Frank Madden on Apr 6, 2010 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I wonder if the new guy
who got shipped off from Cleveland will start to get more playing time.
Go Beer, I mean Bucks
by Take Back Our Bucks on Apr 6, 2010 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions
What's Brezek's upside?
For those who consider that a straight line, you’re welcome.
I’ve tried to watch him some. Try to figure out why he’s in the NBA. But my eye just naturally gravitates to something more active. Strikes me he’s rather like a curious bystander. Not lazy; just disconnected. Watching what’s going on around him; likely thinking it’s pretty neat and he’d like to try that himself someday.
I’ve seen him keep both feet solidly on the floor while others jumped and got a rebound near him. His #1 talent is probably height. But he’s on an NBA roster, he must have other skills. Can anyone enumerate?
I suppose he does the “little things.” Sub-atomic-particle type things. Is he considered to have any potential for development? Is he competitive? Or is this his “cup of coffee” in the NBA?
I think that's pretty much the best scouting report I've ever read about anyone
Even though it was mostly phrased as a question :)
he was..............
the stereotypical euro big guy, soft/finesse game could hit an open jumper every once in awhile, but was never one for any serious banging, he was semi productive for the xpansion ’cats but that was about 5 seasons done…………….
I think you nailed the one redeeming factor that keeps him in the league at the end of some teams bench he is 7’1. Maybe the fact that he has hung around a few teams now means he isnt a bad team guy……….production wise does he have anything left? I doubt it but……
heck I’m rooting for Gadz to run the floor/rebound/not take any shots even if there dunks for 10-12 mins so Ill root for Primoz to surprise the hell out of all of us too!!!
Cmon guys
He put together two very solid seasons in Charlotte (15+ PER in real minutes) so it’s a bit weird that he’s so completely useless now—30 isn’t that old for a big man whose game was always based more on skill than athleticism.
I guess I appreciate the fact that he doesn’t try to do too much, but as chuk said he doesn’t really try to do…anything. Gadz is an absolute trainwreck but at least you know he’s trying. I anticipate that my preference for Dan/Primoz will vary nightly: whichever one didn’t play last night will be the one I like best. Hey, I have a short memory…
I always find it kinda super how
Guys like Kurt Thomas how they can stick and be super valuable role players on pretty decent teams, it kinda shows what you can do and achieve within a team concept if your smart/humble/willing and not delusional about your ability and about what you ‘deserve’ or what anyone owes you………
the guy was a top draft pick had some career threatening injury early on (I think it was his back?) missed a chunk outta a couple of years, he even took up a job as a Mavs assistant coach when he couldnt play for them, works his way back as an undersized centre in the league, pays his dues for the knicks, improves his game offensively and defensively, gets paid, and earns a reputation as a guy you want on your team
and now he is our starting center and you know you’ll get some pro minutes from him even at his age
i'm getting on the gadz trainwreck...........
coming to a station near you in the near future a double/double from Dan, get on it
Double/double?
I thought they only gave you six fouls…
Failure is just success rounded down.
by TheJay on Apr 6, 2010 6:48 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
nice one
A cat playing basketball? With LeBron, Pau Gasol and Ginobili? Sorry but I have to see it, to believe it.
Brandon Jennings doesn't stand a chance against the defensive incapabilities of Derrick Rose!
"Oh, y ahora ¿quién podrá defenderme?" "¡Yo!"
Brezec had a very solid jumper
That’s basically why he made the NBA – he is 7’2’’ and had a decent spot up jump-shot for a big man. Plus he was solid as a cutter. I actually remember him shooting coming off screens. His screens were a bit soft but good enough for some ballscreen action. He was half-decent as an offensive player.
Other than that, he was horrible. Bad defender, bad rebounder; slow footed, takes an eternity to lift the floor, very poor 2nd bounce, always struggled to finish at the rim, poor balance.
Then he had a somewhat complicated back injury and got even worse as a player. He lost a bit of his touch and smoothness and became even more afraid of contact.
I saw him quite a bit last season (he was Jennings teammate in Roma) and I was surprised when the 76ers signed him; I don’t think he rebounds and defends well enough to be a good 3rd stringer, his offensive game doesn’t come close to negate his deficiencies in those areas (plus scoring isn’t what people look for in 3rd strings). Well, not exactly surprised: he has NBA experience, he’s a good reputation as a hard-worker and teams value that kind of stuff. The reason why he’s still in the NBA is because GMs see him as a comfortable solution, a guy who won’t be late for planes and buses, won’t slack on practices, won’t pick fights, won’t demand much attention from the coaching and FO staff, will be a willing follower and cheer for the team and will keep himself in shape even when enduring months of no playing.
On the court, I don’t think he does any of the little things well. Brezec is pretty much the anti-Bogut as a basketball player.
great turn around....
gotta keep hitting the boards hard, both ends, iffy jump shooting we need those 2nd chance points
keep doing the small things like hitting our free throws
Ersan….I love you a little more each day
All about consistency for Ersan
For a guy whose game is seemingly so effort-based, Ersan’s performances are really inconsistent. Obviously his jumper doesn’t work every night and he doesn’t get 30 minutes every night, but it’s a big step before he’s someone you can rely on every night. This is a good opportunity for him to get big minutes more consistently.
true, different mindset going from that spark plug energy guy off the bench.....
to being a guy your team is relying on for a solid performance game in game out
This game is also highlighting Ersan’s complete incompetence in the post. Not that this is news, but he’s utterly clueless down there. Can’t score on big guys, doesn’t seem able to get position when these little guys get switched on to him.
im not sure how much he would have played down there overseas
I always pictured the guy as a long SF Peja lite type of guy
Salmons steal and score
Does anyone make more shots around the hoop while on their way down than Salmons? He’s not going to dunk on guys, but he has an amazing ability to hang, adjust and score.
yeah its pretty much a surprise to me....
his ability to get to the basket on a consistent has caught me off guard, guy is pretty difficult to defend and is adept at getting to line combined with his free throw shooting, now wonder at the end of a match you can sometimes go oh damn another efficient night from Salmons, yeah he has been hitting the clutch shot pretty consistently but that game in between is what has made him a top scorer for us
Bucks shooting 37%
And winning by 9. WTF?
Bulls have turned it over a ton (15 through three) and just look really predictable on offense—lot of isolations and one-on-ones. They’re obviously not shooting well either, and fortunately for the Bucks they haven’t been forcing the issue inside either (only 10 FTA so far).
Just wanted to apologize about my rant the other day in that ROTY thread by Dubs Hoops.
You can defend yourself, but reading that crap irritated me nonetheless.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
ahh dont tell me Flip is going to microwave us with some instant offence
fundamentals take care of the ball, hit your free throws, crash the glass basketball 101 for this team from now on take care of the simple things
Smart move by Salmons to get FT's there.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Years of watching Kevin Martin have made me impervious to it.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Hinrich is doing a nice job on Salmons
John’s really the only guy who can save us when everything starts turning into jump shots, and Hinrich’s not making it easy on him in spite of the solid point total.
Nice leakout by Ilyasova
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
well...
Bulls certainly don’t scare you as much as most teams from deep, but I assume they’ll be going for a quick two here. I imagine they’ll run P&R and give Rose the chance to shoot from midrange/close or kick to the screener…curious to see if they bring Miller back for this play.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great inbound defense and/or crap play-calling from VDN. How does Rose not touch it on the last two plays?
Congrats on the victory and the playoffs.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
thanks!
Great that we don’t have to sweat it out until the end of the season…though now we have to win games to avoid the 7th/8th
Yes this is a nice luxury.
EvilCowtownInc: Screwin Suckaz over since 1985......
No mistakes in the tango, Donna. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
Nice
the Bucks are in the playoffs! I hate to be disrespectful of opponents, but seriously, how bad do the Bulls suck?
Brad James
by the new Bradfather on Apr 6, 2010 9:25 PM CDT reply actions
all the sweeter punking the bulls
VDN guy cracks me up, put the ball in Rose’s hands……….
great win, scrappy match just what we wanted
That's Worth
a Yikes, stripes Fruit Stripe gum right there.
Brad James
by the new Bradfather on Apr 6, 2010 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions
just thought we did what we had to and the Bulls couldnt get it together, they were completely dysfunctional
down what by 2 and Brad Miller jacks up a 3 cmon, seriously
after the 1st quarter we just out hustled them, hit the glass and got after the ball really well after the 1st Bulls had out rebounded us 16-5 first quarter, so we pulled it back which is going to be important cos Salmons apart we just shot jumpers the whole game
what a gritty win
gotta love it. go bucks. playoffs baby. depsite the ups and downs of the season who woulda thought?
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Video: LeBron James and Blake Griffin help us wish you a happy Valentine’s Day
- Chris Paul is recruiting J.R. Smith to the Clippers
- Video: ‘Where in the World is Nikola Pekovic?’
- Jeremy Lin’s teammate snaps a picture of his famous couch
- Dwight Howard picks a strange time to ask for more fourth-quarter shots
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
