Bucks vs. Bulls Preview: Milwaukee Begins Life After Bogut...Again
by Frank Madden on Jan 27, 2012 6:56 PM CST
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| 2011/2012 NBA Season | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
vs. |  |
| 7-10 (3-8 away) | 16-4 (8-1 home) |
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| January 27, 2012 | ||
| United Center | ||
| 7:00 PM CT |
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| Radio: 620 WTMJ TV: FSN Wisconsin |
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| Probable starters: | ||
| Brandon Jennings |
PG | Derrick Rose |
| Shaun Livingston |
SG | Rip Hamilton |
| Carlos Delfino | SF | Ronnie Brewer |
| Luc Mbah a Moute | PF | Carlos Boozer |
| Drew Gooden |
C | Joakim Noah |
| (21st) 100.2 - OFFENSE - 108.0 (3rd) |
||
| (17th) 102.2 - DEFENSE - 96.6 (2nd) |
||
| (9th) 92.9 - PACE - 89.3 (26th) | ||
On the Bulls: Blog-a-Bull / Bulls by the Horns / Bullsville
A day after learning that Andrew Bogut will be out indefinitely with a fractured ankle, the Bucks will be looking for their fourth straight road win in Chicago against the East-leading Bulls on Friday.
Podcastin'. Don Ellis from Bullsville was kind enough to have me on his podcast this morning, where we talked about the Bogut injury, Brandon Jennings' improved play, and what's been wrong with the Bucks' defense so far this season.
Gooden plenty. Like it or not, you can expect to see plenty of Drew Gooden until further notice. Gooden has averaged a superficially-solid 15.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg in 28 mpg as a starter, though it's no coincidence that the Bucks are also 0-5 in those games. Still, those numbers are a lot better than Gooden's stats off the bench: 14 mpg, 5.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg and just 32% shooting.
The only good news is that youngsters Jon Leuer and Larry Sanders also figure to see more of the court with Bogut out of the picture. After playing his way into the starting lineup over the season's first three weeks, Leuer has played just 15 minutes combined over the past four games, while Sanders has DNP'ed in five of the Bucks' nine games after Bogut returned from a family-related absence at the beginning of January.
Rose playing through pain. Reigning MVP Derrick Rose has already missed five of the Bulls' twenty games due to turf toe, though the Bulls' winning percentage without their superstar happens to be the exact same with him (12-3) as without him (4-1) . The Bulls didn't just squeak by with Rose in street clothes either, outscoring opponents by an average of 12.8 pts/game. If only the Bucks played as well without Bogut, eh?
While no one will be confusing a Rose-less squad for a contender anytime soon, the Bulls' ability to cope without their leading scorer (21.1 ppg) and passer (8.3 apg) says plenty about the job Tom Thibodeau has done since taking over as head coach two summers ago, and it also says more than a little about the supporting cast Chicago has assembled around Rose.
Bulls getting healthy. Luol Deng (torn ligament in wrist) is not expected back in the Bulls' lineup until Sunday, though big man Taj Gibson (ankle) will likely return to the Bulls' rotation. Chicago won't be lacking in motivation after losing their first home game of the season on Wednesday to the Pacers. And Derrick Rose apparently won't be lacking in motivation the next time he plays the Pacers, either.
The Bogut question. As for the Bucks, officially we only know that Bogut's injury will keep him on the shelf "indefinitely." A quick search for other athletes who've suffered ankle fractures suggests 6-10 weeks as a common range of recovery, but whether that will also apply here is anyone's guess. Hypothetically speaking, a two month recovery would have Bogut back at the end of March or beginning of April, leaving around 14 games left in the season (and 35 games missed). I'm not sure many fans are interested in seeing the Bucks plug away for an outside shot at the eight seed when there's a loaded draft upcoming in June, but something tells me the Bucks as currently constructed won't be bad enough to claim a top-five lottery pick even if Bogut is out for a couple months.
C.J. and B.J. While Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng and Rip Hamilton are well-known quantities to most NBA fans, backup point C.J. Watson actually ranks just behind Rose in PER (20.3) and win shares/48 (.224) among rotation players. Interestingly, Watson has been brutal on two-pointers but lights-out on threes (39.8% shooting overall, 48.3% threes), which along with a good free throw rate and assist rate has him playing the most effective ball of his career.
Meanwhile, Brandon Jennings is also playing the best basketball of his career, putting up career-best numbers in scoring (20.2 ppg), fg% (.440), TS% (.538), PER (20.7) and win shares/48 (.155). Jennings eclipsed the 20-point mark for the fifth straight game in Houston on Wednesday, the longest streak of his career.
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“it also says more than a little about the supporting cast Chicago has assembled around Rose.”
Did that cast assemble because of the usual big city lure? Or was Chicago management just darn smart? (Someone is bound to jump in and say: “both”.)
“Gooden has averaged a superficially-solid….”
As Sisyphus was condemned to an eternity of rolling a boulder up a hill only to see it roll back down, and repeating. So Gooden seems condemned to an NBA lifetime of rolling up stats only to have them called superficial. I don’t disagree with the designation. But it must be frustrating for the athlete.
BTW, the story of Sisyphus is less simple and more interesting than the common image I used. I had to Google to see how to spell Sisyphus, and that led to this interesting little story:
Hot Damn!!!!
That is right on!!! Haven’t heard that one in a while, and all it needs is a Bucks logo
Who turned the light's out?? Because I don't see nobody!
Hammond
More than anything I just want Hammond to say something clear about the near future of this team. I hate being in the dark, give me something Hammond. If we want to win and need a minor desperation trade, I don’t mind, keyword minor tho.
There aren't many minor desperation trades I think would really work...
I would love to get a guy lie Paul Millsap from the Jazz if he is available as I think he would fit in, in the short term and long term. I’d be fine giving up our first+ for him.
Otherwise you could look at good players on bad/rebuilding teams as potential trade partners.
Anderson Varejao, Ben Wallace, Emeka Okafor, Chris Kaman could all be had I am sure for varying prices…
Varejao is a no-no
8.4 next year 9.1 the following year, Kaman and Wallace are expiring so they would be fine, Okafur 2 more years at 28m no thank you. For Wallace and Kaman it would depend on what we would have to send back.
Just don’t see the purpose in getting Millsap unless you can get rid of a couple of power forwards on the roster.
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
Millsap would instantly become our best player if we traded for him so the increase in talent would justify the roster imbalance...
Varejao’s contract isnt too bad… 2 years at that price for a top defensive and rebounding C is actually very reasonable… Okafor does have a pretty bloated deal… Varejao would probably give us the best chance to win while Bogut is out and Wallace would be the lowest risk and probably easiest move to pull off
Do you think we could get him w/o giving up BJ
If not what’s the point?
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
Millsap I meant
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
Yes
but I don’t see the point in getting Millsap now. The original point was to pair him with Bogut, now without Bogut, we’d just have another PF and still no C. I’m positive we don’t have enough assets to acquire Millsap and a C.
Options
I can see it for the Bucks and Hornets
Not sure about Orlando though.
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
Orlando
They declined Orton’s option and upgraded Reddick with Jackson on top of Dwight saying things need to change in Orlando last night and earlier asked for Jackson. I think it works for them for sure.
According to twitter
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Bucks just announced that Andrew Bogut’s recovery window will be full 8-to-12 weeks thanks to fractured left ankle suffered WEDS night
On Wisconsin!
Well, it looks like the Bucks will be tanking, after all....
Still would’ve prefered the Bogut-for-Horford road to tanking, but chances are this team was going nowhere even w/ Bogut.
Hopefully, they make some real moves in the offseason, starting w/ trading Jax.
I am guaranteeing a victory tonight.
The Bucks always do what we least expect and I fully expect them to lose a close one so really we will win in convincing fashion.
You are correct about the Bucks, but the Bulls are too much.
Only way the Bucks could win is close.
SB Nation Brew Hoop - Editor | SB Nation Midwest - News Desk Contributor | SB Nation Chicago - Writer | SB Nation Basketball - Scores & More | Twitter: @stevevonhorn
by Steve von Horn on Jan 27, 2012 3:28 PM CST up reply actions
I have no expectations
…except for the Bulls to be tough and tough to beat.
But the NBA seems to have bar dice built into every game.
I heard "Funky Cold Medina" on the radio
I think the Bucks are going to win
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
Do we really actually think
that with what this team and coach and gm and owner that we tank ??? Even now with our best possible way to get a top pick they’ll win to many games and we still end up with a 12-15.
I think you're probably right.
I have to think they’ll try to fight for a playoff spot as long as possible, which in the East could be quite a long time unless the Celtics and Knicks both get their act together.
by Frank Madden on Jan 27, 2012 5:35 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Here's hoping the Bucks lack of talent and chemistry will trump their desire to be the damn 8th seed.
Seriously, I gotta think Hammond/Skiles knows how the NBA works [you gotta suck in order to truly get better through the draft], and will see the Bogut injury as their chance to land a high pick, while still being able to blame “injuries” for yet another craptacular season…
I would say no way to that
Especially Skiles
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
Rip is apparently a late scratch, former Marquette standout Jimmy Butler will start in his place.
by Frank Madden on Jan 27, 2012 5:37 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
Update
Brian Skinner is available.
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
Jennings off to a pretty nice start
Though his last two shots have been a bit questionable. At least he made one.
Don't like Luc taking contested jumpers.
It is one thing to get wide open looks, but there is no reason for him to take a jumper with Boozer right up on him.
He's got that slow release
Really tough to get a shot off without getting heavily contested.
by Dan Sinclair on Jan 27, 2012 7:23 PM CST up reply actions
Evening fellas
Gotta love Johnny Mac getting on Rose.
Tough missed pass
That P&R got a good opening but Jennings couldn’t get the pass through. Looked like it slipped when he tried to whip it inside.
Only 1 assist for the Bucks
Jennings can’t keep doing things alone, gotta get the ball movement back up and running.
Rose on pace for 64 shots so far...
by CHAController on Jan 27, 2012 7:27 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Feels like his 55-point game.
Oh wait, no it doesn’t.
as long as it takes
"Sportsmanship is just loser talk for losing."
by boyonthedock on Jan 27, 2012 7:35 PM CST up reply actions
no one else comes to mind
is gortat still a backup?
"Sportsmanship is just loser talk for losing."
by boyonthedock on Jan 27, 2012 7:38 PM CST up reply actions
then yeah, its asik.
and gortat would probably tie him at best anyway
"Sportsmanship is just loser talk for losing."
by boyonthedock on Jan 27, 2012 7:39 PM CST up reply actions
Trade-off
Asik is probably a better defender but Gortat’s a better offensive player
by Dan Sinclair on Jan 27, 2012 7:57 PM CST up reply actions
We are going to be killed inside, folks
This might become a trend now.
Yep
Who’da thunk it, the Bucks are going to have to win behind Brandon Jennings’ explosive scoring.
by Dan Sinclair on Jan 27, 2012 7:39 PM CST up reply actions
I am starting to not like Beno
He can be careless
He has his stretches
I don’t think he’s a really exceptional point guard, but his mid-range game is typically excellent. That’s valuable.
by Dan Sinclair on Jan 27, 2012 7:43 PM CST up reply actions
Better than Keyon Dooling.
Good enough for me at the time being.
Jennings is going nuts.
We cannot get one single rebound, Bulls have 12 offensive rebounds already.
On Wisconsin!
Jennings scored 16 of Bucks first 22.
Resting since just before end of first quarter.
by Brick's house on Jan 27, 2012 7:48 PM CST up reply actions
Jennings started out on fire, defense is pretty poor
Interior defense is bad, rebounding is worse.
by Dan Sinclair on Jan 27, 2012 7:48 PM CST up reply actions
Harris got blocked trying to lay it in.
Still seems to have trouble getting enough lift to score over people.
Harris vs Leuer
he has to try to dunk that, Jon Leuer dunks that.
by FearTheDeer on Jan 27, 2012 7:55 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
I am surprised Skiles went with Harris over Leuer.
I figured he would want as much length as possible on the floor. Taj Gibson is gonna gobble up any Harris layups with that huge wingspan.
never surprised by Skiles subs
by FearTheDeer on Jan 27, 2012 7:55 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Is that an emphatic transcendent?
Or an “over 40% shooting” transcendent?
by Jacob Grinyer on Jan 27, 2012 8:00 PM CST up reply actions
Oh, on my first glance at the box score I thought he was only doing slightly good.
My mistake, he appears to be carrying them.
by Jacob Grinyer on Jan 27, 2012 8:03 PM CST up reply actions
Only 1 assist
But we’ll let that slide for now…
by Jacob Grinyer on Jan 27, 2012 8:12 PM CST up reply actions
I swear Bogut would have had like 10 blocks against Rose so far.
Gooden can’t even contest him.
Boguts effect
Rose wouldn’t be driving to the lane like that if Bogut was there. I’m sure Thibs told them to drive drive drive.
by FearTheDeer on Jan 27, 2012 8:11 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Pass was a bit long
Little too overeager
by Dan Sinclair on Jan 27, 2012 8:06 PM CST up reply actions
Knock that punk ass down ...
As long as you are going to foul him. Sorry, i’m old school ..
Down 1 at the half
Not bad
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
sure seems possible right now
Jennings is going to have to keep up his shooting and the inside guys are going to have to grab some rebounds
by Dan Sinclair on Jan 27, 2012 8:18 PM CST up reply actions
I watched part of this game in a NYC cab
Unfortunately LP Mobile cuts out every two minutes, but I glad I got to see Brandon dealing a bit…
by Frank Madden on Jan 27, 2012 8:23 PM CST up reply actions
He's much better playing alongside Bogut
weakside rebounding, mid-range game, charge-taking. But by himself, he’s overmatched and outsmarted.
by Dan Sinclair on Jan 27, 2012 8:29 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, seems like it
Tough to pinpoint, just seems kind of absent. When his three-point shot isn’t falling, he sometimes gets frozen out of the offense. But it doesn’t even seem like he’s had opportunities lately.
by Dan Sinclair on Jan 27, 2012 8:32 PM CST up reply actions
Doesn't look like it will make a difference though
At least not as long as the Bucks play sloppily with the ball.
by Jacob Grinyer on Jan 27, 2012 8:34 PM CST up reply actions
You never know...
Brew Hoopers thought the game in Houston was over
I was invited to see a movie.
I’d have to leave at 9 if I decide to go. I haven’t made my decision yet.
On Wisconsin!
Gooden Sucks
really really bad
by FearTheDeer on Jan 27, 2012 8:36 PM CST via Android app reply actions
They're frequently over-rotating
Everybody collapses to defend a guy, nobody accounts for everybody else on the boards
by Dan Sinclair on Jan 27, 2012 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
you're saying they will defeat the big trio
by senelcoolidge on Jan 27, 2012 8:41 PM CST up reply actions
They can, yes
Their defense is stifling …just a matter of how close those games are called.
Them or Miami.
I don’t see anyone else being from the East being good enough to reach.
On Wisconsin!
the east is easy to predict, but this is a crazy season. there might be surprises.
the west is really wide open though.
by senelcoolidge on Jan 27, 2012 8:41 PM CST up reply actions
History would say otherwise...
The Heat and Bulls are the odds on favorites… 90% chance its one of these teams
Orlando is in the next tier… 7% chance for Orlando
3% for the rest of the teams combined
I was talking about the West.
haha I definitely don’t think half of the top 8 teams in the East have a chance.
On Wisconsin!
I could honestly see Orlando being a dark horse candidate to make it to the Finals...
They have the best big man in the game and although the team around him isn’t terribly talented they are all really good fits…Ryan Anderson is much improved, Nelson is an above average PG, Hedo is a perfect fit next to Dwight
Watch out for Indy!
Don’t count them out. We have the best “team” in the East
They could.
I feel like Orlando mostly lives and dies by the 3, and when it doesn’t go in, they don’t have a backup plan. Anderson has been playing incredibly well, if he can keep it up and Big Baby plays well they could definitely sneak in.
This is all if Dwight isn’t traded, however.
On Wisconsin!
Miami will beat the bulls
by FearTheDeer on Jan 27, 2012 8:44 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Has he been downgraded from Captain now?
by Jacob Grinyer on Jan 27, 2012 8:44 PM CST up reply actions
Well, I've decided to see the movie.
I hope for good news when I come back and read the recap.
On Wisconsin!
Haha
I’m joking of course… But it makes you wonder why Leuer sat on the bench for so long. Just a little bit…
by Jacob Grinyer on Jan 27, 2012 9:12 PM CST up reply actions
I know, I know
just wanted to express my frustration with Jax and his stupid missed trey. He should have given the ball to jannings but seems his ego got in the way
He sure looked fast on that play
Good job getting back to his left hand too.
by Dan Sinclair on Jan 27, 2012 9:14 PM CST up reply actions
Jackson did a pretty good job on Rose right there, forced him to pass out to the perimeter
The proceeding action though…
then he gives them 2
for goaltending
by FearTheDeer on Jan 27, 2012 9:20 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
I see no reason why Leuer shouldn't be getting at least 20 minutes from now on.
There’s not much to lose anyway.
There is a kid there now named Doug McDermott, coaches kid...
He is a pro prospect, played his HS ball with Harrison Barnes at Ames High in Iowa. Needless to say, they won state for two years straight with those two on the team.
by Brick's house on Jan 27, 2012 9:33 PM CST up reply actions
Kaman
Hornets have bench him and decided to pursue trades. Not sure what we have to give for him and match his salary, probably need to find a 3rd team to get involved.
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/218625/Hornets_To_Pursue_Trade_Of_Chris_Kaman
Just me or its the timing of this too co-incidental
Probably just me cuz i don’t know what we could give up(Not leuer, not Harris, not 1st round pick)that would entice Stern to give us Kaman.
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
Well maybe Stern will do us a favor for once
Let me ask this, how would we feel about trading Bogut for Kaman? Opens some serious cap space on this roster. I’m sure we’d have to send somebody like Sanders with Bogut but I’m not sure I wouldn’t do it and just end this saga.
by FearTheDeer on Jan 27, 2012 10:06 PM CST up reply actions
I really don't know about that one
I’m pretty sure I’d pass, can’t speak for everyone though.
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
by CanadaBucks on Jan 27, 2012 10:18 PM CST up reply actions
Looking at the free agent list for 2012
I don’t know what you would do with the space anyway unless you outbid a team for a restricted, but that might mean over paying.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/2012-nba-free-agents
"He always plays like he's a pit bull that hasn't been fed in about a year and that you've got pork chops in your pockets and that's the basketball." Of course, he's Canadian
by CanadaBucks on Jan 27, 2012 10:28 PM CST up reply actions
Skiles once again goes deep into the bench with 12 players playing over 10 minutes this game.
I would love to see Leuer get the start at PF tomorrow against Pau and Luc move down to SF to start the game guarding Kobe. Livingston can guard Barnes. Jennings has to be licking his chops at the chance to torch Fisher and Blake.
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