Timberwolves/Bucks: Ridnour returns as Bucks hope for fresh start
by Frank Madden on Feb 21, 2011 10:00 PM CST
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2010/2011 NBA Season
vs.
13-43 (4-24 road) 21-34 (13-13 home)
February 22, 2011
Bradley Center
7:00 PM
Radio: 620 WTMJ TV: FSN Wisconsin HD
Probable starters:
Luke Ridnour
PG
Brandon Jennings
Martell Webster
SG
John Salmons
Michael Beasley
SF
Corey Maggette
Kevin Love
PF
Ersan Ilyasova
Darko Milicic
C
Andrew Bogut
(24th) 104.9 - OFFENSE - 101.0 (30th)
(27th) 111.0 - DEFENSE - 102.6 (5th)
(1st) 96.7 - PACE - 89.9 (26th)
On the Wolves: Canis Hoopus / T'wolves Blog
Luke Ridnour returns to Milwaukee for his first regular season game since signing with Minnesota last summer.
CBS: Standout sophs deal with injuries, adjustments
Last year was supposed to be just the beginning of big things for Brandon Jennings and Tyreke Evans, but Ben Golliver writes that their sophomore seasons have been marred by both injury and inconsistency.
"It's totally different than your first year," Jennings said. "[During your rookie year], a lot of coaches don't know you, they don't know your game. Everything is totally different. It's an adjustment you have to make. [This year,] they play me tougher, they're showing on the pick and rolls, they're more physical, they force me to my right more."
Confronting new and improved defensive schemes, while also working his way back into form, is doubly challenging. "The injury has been a mental thing, I've got to put it back together, get back to a winning mentality."
Jennings' numbers have taken a huge dive since returning from injury (.328/.211/.833 shooting this month), though he also hadn't made clear strides before breaking his foot in mid-December. Which as a Bucks fan is what really keeps me up at nights; after all, the whole idea of the Bucks becoming a good team over the next few years is predicated on Jennings being more than a mediocre point guard. There have certainly been flashes of promise--the win in Dallas right before his foot injury probably the most obvious--but mostly he's just been treading water since helping the Bucks stretch the Hawks to seven games in April. Not good. Which dovetails nicely with...
The Brandon Jennings Story: One great month and a whole bunch of bad ones
Over at Bucksketball, Jeremy has a terrific (if not terribly optimistic) read on Jennings' 16 months in the NBA so far.
It's too soon to say Jennings can't become more accurate. But right now, he's a pretty run of the mill point guard, closer to the Aaron Brooks's of the world than the Rajon Rondo's. He will very likely improve in the coming years, not many players fail to get even a little better as the calendar continues to turn over year after year, but will he be a superstar? It's probably too much to ask to ever expect Jennings to consistently be that player he was in the special first month of his NBA career. The guy who seemed capable of dropping 55 points on any given night.
Still-lucky Luke. Ridnour's scoring rate is down from his career-high 19.4 pts/40 of a year ago to a more mortal 15.6, but he's still converting with the kind of efficiency (matching his 57.0% true shooting from last year) that Bucks point guards can only dream of (Jennings is at 47.4% and Dooling at 49.7%). Ridnour's solid play has helped offset the absence/decline of Jonny Flynn, who has struggled since returning from the hip surgery that cost him the first two months of the season. Flynn was shut down a week ago and is expected to miss another couple games, opening up backup minutes for Sebastian Telfair. Given Flynn's rise and (current) fall, maybe we shouldn't be complaining quite so much about Jennings.
Feel the Love. The last time Kevin Love didn't notch a double was way back on November 19, which in many ways tells you all you need to know about Minnesota's 22-year-old rising star. The former UCLA stud is averaging an eye-popping 21.5 ppg and league-best 15.5 rpg, while upping his true shooting percentage to a career-high 59.8% thanks to increased accuracy from everywhere on the court (.470/.425/.876).
Love's board work is a big reason why Minnesota leads the league in offensive rebound rate (30.3%), though interestingly they're just middle of the pack on the defensive glass (15th, 73.6%) despite Love ranking higher on the defensive boards.
Beasley's return? The Timberwolves have lost three in a row, but there's at least some good news on the injury front. Second-leading scorer Michael Beasley (19.9 ppg) practiced on Monday and said he expects to make his return from a five game absence in Milwaukee. Beasley's scoring has spiked since the Heat gave him away to David Kahn and company last summer (24.3 p/40 vs. 19.9 a year ago), but playing mostly at small forward next to the league's best rebounder has perhaps predictably coincided with a cratering in his own rebounding numbers (9.5 rebound rate vs. 13.1 and 12.6 his first two seasons).
No word quite yet on whether Beasley will immediately slot back into the starting lineup, where Martell Webster has been filling in as Minny's starting SF the past couple games. Webster returned from his own five game absence a week ago against his former team (Portland), scoring 17 points on 10 shots. With Corey Brewer heading to the Knicks for Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry's expiring deal/posthumous remains, Kurt Rambis could opt to slide Webster into the backcourt or go with a more traditional shooting guard in Wayne Ellington, who hasn't started since the fourth game o the season.
JS: Redd seals return to court with a kiss
I don't know if or when Michael Redd will play again for the Bucks, and I'm not holding out any hope he can be a difference-maker if he returns this season. But all the caveats and skepticism aside, I have to say this story about Redd's return to the Cousins Center made me smile. Welcome back, Michael.
"It's one of the happiest days in my career," Redd said as he toweled off after practice. "To be on the court again is a blessing.I told coach Skiles, 'I kissed the court when I came back to the gym.' You just treasure it. I haven't played in a year and a half. Just to get back out here and play and be with the guys, it's the greatest feeling in the world."
Simmons: Bogut #40(ish) on trade value list
Bill Simmons' annual trade value rankings always make for good debate, though it's hard to argue Andrew Bogut and Brandon Jennings were hard done by given their up-and-down seasons thus far. Simmons had Bogut ranked in a cluster of guys from 40-45 while Jennings was on the outside looking in on the top fifty.
Our toughest omission. In person, he'll have two or three moments that make you think "Love child of Allen Iverson and Tiny Archibald!!!" But his numbers (particularly his 38 percent shooting and paltry 50 percent accuracy on shots at the rim) don't back up what we think we're seeing. He might just be a lightning-fast streak shooter who can't guard anyone and can't quite get to the rim. Stay tuned.
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Yes! The Renaldo Balkman saga has finally come to an end!
The Artist Formerly known as Speedingtime/Speedy
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 21, 2011 10:53 PM CST up reply actions
Everytime I see his name
I think it’s Rolando Blackman(ex-Mav and Knick). I bet Renaldo wishes he was.
"You play anybody and if they shoot 70 per cent from three, they're going to be tough to beat." More wise words from Chris Bosh
by CanadaBucks on Feb 22, 2011 10:40 AM CST up reply actions
I bought tickets for the Knicks Bucks game
about 3 hours ago. If he is going to play i will be so happy. Being a Syracuse fan and a bucks fan this is amazing. I cant find anywhere though if he is expected to play
Just said on ESPN he'll play Wednesday against the Bucks
I wonder if the game will be nationally televised now?
by FearTheDeer on Feb 21, 2011 10:33 PM CST up reply actions
if Beasley remains out for the game the T-Wolves will be very very thin in the backcourt. Look for Kevin Love to launch some deadly trey-balls.
Beasley was upgrade to "probable" yesterday, and told reporters he would play.
Luke, meanwhile, flew in separately. (There’s some sort of problem with one of his newborn twins, which he and the organization have been classy about. That’s why he’s missed some games recently.)
"Those things about which we cannot theorize, we must narrate." – Umberto Eco
well played I say all that c**k teasing squeezed out T.Mozgov
That," says LeBron, "is for everyone that watches me play. They witness something special. You're all a witness.
Anyone else find it funny that Mozgov's initial exclusion almost stopped the deal from happening?
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2011 7:25 AM CST up reply actions
a nice full stop to the whole drawn out saga I think
That," says LeBron, "is for everyone that watches me play. They witness something special. You're all a witness.
Trade idea, works with ESPN trade machine.
Brandon Jennings and Michael Redd to Warriors for Stephon Curry, Andris Beidrins, and Dan Gadzuric.
Golden State gets 11 more million in Redd vs. Gadzuric’s expiring contract. Bucks still get 8 million in expiring in Gadzuric. Jennings fits Golden State’s run and gun offense better than Curry. Curry give Bucks a shooter. Also, because Curry > Jennings, we take on Beidrins terrible 4 year contract. Sounds pretty fair to me.
For what it's worth:
Bucks +4 wins this year, Golden State -6. However, Golden State is building for next year, not this year. This trade would accomplish that goal.
by HowardGreenFTW on Feb 22, 2011 2:30 AM CST up reply actions
I'd love it but can't imagine GS gives up on Curry now
We should have made this offer in November 2009 :)
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2011 7:13 AM CST up reply actions
giving up Steph Curry would make even Cohan's moves look masterful
That," says LeBron, "is for everyone that watches me play. They witness something special. You're all a witness.
Curry would not only be a score but could pass the ball to Andrew Bogut.
The UFC is a place where they will pay you tens of thousands of dollars for you to fight but only 1 dollar for your soul.
by communication-breakdown on Feb 22, 2011 2:28 PM CST up reply actions
But what does Bogut do with it?
"You play anybody and if they shoot 70 per cent from three, they're going to be tough to beat." More wise words from Chris Bosh
pass it back
go easy on the big fellow next season he will be back to tearing up on the offensive end, well if 15ppg can be considered tearing it up, for the bucks it probably does
That," says LeBron, "is for everyone that watches me play. They witness something special. You're all a witness.
Today is a bad day for basketball
Today the most arrogant player in basketball, a guy who has been requesting a trade with less subtlety than I can remember, got his ultimate wish. Despite having no personal power, no ability to veto or redirect a trade save for implied petulance, he’s going to the Knicks. He gets his extension and he even gets Chauncey Billups as a throw in to make the team competitive.
That last part is just part of why this is so bad. Carmelo wanted out, okay, but to do so he had to rip the hometown boy and fan favorite from his roots to suffer the New York media glare in his twilight.
So instead of a feel good story about a local boy making good, as we did when Billups came home to Denver, we have a tale of a prima donna whining his way to the bright lights. One of the most conceited men in basketball wed to the most inept franchise in recent memory and Isaiah pitched in! Remember in this matter Melo had no real power, Anthony had no real position to argue with the Nuggets, only the ability to idly threaten his future absence. Yet he made sure he was in the center of the maelstrom, all cameras and eyes on him as he shot down trade after trade for months. New Jersey wasn’t good enough. He wanted all of New York, not just one borough.
I think maybe the positive spin on the story so far is just the collective sigh of relief that accompanies it. Lebron destroyed his image after an hour of self indulgence, Melo distracted the basketball world for months to get what he wanted. This story is proof of what’s really wrong in basketball. Free agency without some form of compensation creates a gambit state for small market teams. Owners think of their players as property and will hold a city hostage for a season to get value. These past few months have not been good for basketball in the rockies. This will be a poster child for the upcoming bargaining sessions, of players gone wild and free, but in the end the real story is the owners. He should have been gone forever ago. Now at this point, nw that Mlo got his wish, who cares?
A worrying trend
All the talk about CP3, Deron Williams or Dwight possibly following Melo to NYK really makes you wonder what hope the small market teams have…previously I thought more money could always get most stars to stay with their original teams, but we’ve seen a sharp u-turn over the past year, and with Melo he managed to get both the max extension AND the team he wanted to play for.
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2011 7:27 AM CST up reply actions
totally agree on this one, this trend is really dispiriting for smaller market teams
and the sad thing is the NBA doesnt seem to be worried about really, but I find it hard to support a team knowing that the talent your developing and watching grow is likely to up and leave eventually without much succes, and then the cycle begins again…..frustrating, its also one of the things that turned me off the EPL basically a few rich clubs, buy up all the top talent, and only two or three clubs are realistically, if a that, able to challenge for a title
That," says LeBron, "is for everyone that watches me play. They witness something special. You're all a witness.
David Stern is a punk
He would rather have a team in Brussels than Milwaukee or Seattle. Look what happened with the Sonics; he didn’t lift one finger to help or even hide the fact that he didn’t give a crap about that market.
Baseball’s disparity, especially economically, isn’t ideal. But the big difference is, in basketball, one or two players can make a huge difference. As dominant as Albert Pujols is, he still has to wait his turn at bat, and can’t bat 20 times a game.
At least Denver got something
I’ll admit that the never-ending trade rumors got a bit taxing, but Melo was going to leave after this year no matter what, so at least Denver didn’t get hosed entirely. They got a lot of players (albeit none of Melo’s caliber) to either build around or move again for players they really want.
I do think that small-market teams are at a disadvantage in the current climate, but I’m not ready to concede their demise. I still think that a strong, well-run organization (which starts at the TOP, not the bottom) can succeed anywhere. The margin of error is razor-thin, but I think it’s still doable. Nobody would say Oklahoma City is a fantastic place to be, but through smart management (and a little luck), they’ve built a very, very good team.
www.Brewhoop.com, http://where55happens.wordpress.com
by Dan Sinclair on Feb 22, 2011 2:18 PM CST up reply actions
Agreed. This is no pu-pu platter
Felton/Chandler/Gallinari alone are valuable pieces. Melo would have walked after the season a la LeBrosh and Denver would be holding nothing more than a trade exception.
They also have a decent pick, and are in great cap shape due to being pretty disciplined about that the last couple of years.
"Those things about which we cannot theorize, we must narrate." – Umberto Eco
The verdict is far from out on OKC
Durant and Westbrooke are still in their rookie contracts, they’ll be extended for the maximum length extension (Durant already has). At the end of that they’ll face the crossroads that James and Melo faced. Durant’s 4th year? Lebron NBA Finals. Lebron wasn’t talking about leaving then, but years later he still left.
That's why they need to build a contender now
Then again, let’s not forget that LBJ’s decision wasn’t typical—the Heat had a very unique situation which allowed them to clear enough cap space to make three more or less max offers to superstar/all-star caliber FAs. It’s not clear how things will be structured in the next CBA, but the stars had to align (no pun intended) to make it happen.
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2011 3:53 PM CST up reply actions
The Knicks will always suck. Melo might give them 4 more wins at best.
The UFC is a place where they will pay you tens of thousands of dollars for you to fight but only 1 dollar for your soul.
by communication-breakdown on Feb 22, 2011 2:30 PM CST up reply actions
Yep.
The Artist Formerly known as Speedingtime/Speedy
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 22, 2011 3:15 PM CST up reply actions
Touche'
I have been talking about this for two years (not all on this site). Between players wanting to “team-up” and other players being more vocal on “where” they want to play (big market only), I truly think small markets are in trouble. The best hope for a small market team is to somehow assemble a team similar to the Detroit Pistons a few years back (the Billups team that really had no superstars). Only problem with that is, even the second tier players are going to adopt the ’I wanna play with this guy in this place" mentality.
I love the Bucks, been following them since 1970-ish. The first game my parents took us to was against the Lanier, Bing, RoweDetroit Pistons..ah the memories ….But I see no hope for them, now or in the future.
Cavs considering basically a Sessions for Teague swap
I guess If they want to cut more salary, but other then that…
The Artist Formerly known as Speedingtime/Speedy
Trading high for a prospect they liked in the draft.
Ramon Sessions is destined to be a journeyman, despite being a pretty consummate professional. What is the deal with that?
"Those things about which we cannot theorize, we must narrate." – Umberto Eco
It's the NBA's obsession with being a pure point and draft selection
He’s held back by the fact that he can’t shoot a three (even though his driving ability is arguably better and prevents a lot of crappy point guard type shots [looking at you Brandon]). He’s also limited in GM’s minds by his selection in the second round. Sure there are the Redds and Arenases and Ben Wallace wasn’t even drafted, but pick order is like a brand for lazy executives. It’s why people continue to see hope in Kwame and Darko.
by MadTown Hoops on Feb 22, 2011 9:22 PM CST up reply actions
They definitely undervalue getting to the line, even in PGs where there's a big swing in that ability.
Sometimes you’ll hear positive things about it when an exec’s talking about a Jerryd Bayless “body hunting,” I guess.
"Those things about which we cannot theorize, we must narrate." – Umberto Eco
Now that the team has actually decided to use the D-League
They’re going to be forced by a perfect storm of absurdity into using a weird lineup with Luc at center, aren’t they?
I never use a big word when a diminutive word would suffice.
You're doing it wrong
It’s going to be Maggette!
The Artist Formerly known as Speedingtime/Speedy
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 22, 2011 7:10 PM CST up reply actions
Jennings
I still have a mild expectation on him having a good game. His presence at the rookie match and facing Ridnour maybe could get him going.
Every time Maggette catches on the break it's already a turnover
The Artist Formerly known as Speedingtime/Speedy
Yay
my stream’s behind
Brad James
Follow me on Twitter
With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!
by the new Bradfather on Feb 22, 2011 8:02 PM CST reply actions
Kobe vs. Suns
is so stupid on NBA League Pass, did the Lakers win that series? NO
Brad James
Follow me on Twitter
With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!
by the new Bradfather on Feb 22, 2011 8:05 PM CST reply actions
Trade Jennings
He sucks….smh
"You don't play against opponents. You play against the game..." - Bobby Knight
Have mercy on us for failing to have the utmost confidence in a player that's shot sub 40% nearly every month of his career except for one.
The Artist Formerly known as Speedingtime/Speedy
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 22, 2011 9:40 PM CST up reply actions
But he did have a very nice game.
The Artist Formerly known as Speedingtime/Speedy
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 22, 2011 9:44 PM CST up reply actions
Coming
from a fan of a team that can’t shoot 40% most nights. Just a little fun jab. I am sure I will get one in return the next night he goes 3-14 with 3 assists.
"You don't play against opponents. You play against the game..." - Bobby Knight
The Bucks offense
Some day that will be a type of offense executed in basketball programs across America, like the Princeton offense.
Did I really just type that?
The Artist Formerly known as Speedingtime/Speedy
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 22, 2011 9:56 PM CST up reply actions
It
was mostly the article about his one good month that got me going. I guess good=great these days. 4-time rookie of the MONTH and 3 of those don’t count…
"You don't play against opponents. You play against the game..." - Bobby Knight
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