Bucks Vs. Magic Preview: Beware Ryan Anderson, Jason Richardson And The Magic Three Ball
by Steve von Horn on Feb 17, 2012 2:10 PM CST
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| 2011/2012 NBA Season | ||
|---|---|---|
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|
vs. |
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| 19-11 (11-6 home) | 12-17 (5-10 away) |
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| February 17, 2012 | ||
| Amway Center, Orlando, FL | ||
| 6:00 PM CT |
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| Radio: 620 WTMJ TV: FSN Wisconsin |
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| Probable starters: | ||
| Jameer Nelson | PG | Brandon Jennings |
| Jason Richardson | SG | Shaun Livingston |
| Hedo Turkoglu | SF | Carlos Delfino |
| Ryan Anderson | PF | Ersan Ilyasova |
| Dwight Howard | C | Jon Leuer |
| (14th) 103.6 - OFFENSE - 102.9 (16th) |
||
| (12th) 101.2 - DEFENSE - 104.7 (19th) |
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| (26th) 89.3 - PACE - 92.2 (11th) | ||
On the Magic: Orlando Pinsriped Post / Magic Basketball / Orlando Sentinel
Update: Via Ted Davis, Jon Leuer will start at center in place of Drew Gooden (wrist/knee) while Ersan Ilyasova has reclaimed the starting PF spot over Luc Mbah a Moute. The move is an obvious attempt to shake things up following Wednesday's sobering loss to the Hornets, though Charles Gardner writes that Skiles is also hoping that Ilyasova and Leuer force Dwight Howard to defend the perimeter more. Howard switched on to Mbah a Moute at numerous times during last weekend's game with Orlando in order to avoid defending the more perimeter-capable Gooden.
The Orlando Magic are quite hot after enduring a disastrous end to the month of January, and are winners of seven of their last nine games, including a current streak of three straight victories. Since staging a stunning comeback in Milwaukee on Feb. 11, the Magic have recorded comfortable home victories against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have shown zero signs of life since opening February with an exciting upset win over the Miami Heat. Fans have grown restless as the team has turned listless. Not only are the Bucks losers of six of the last eight games, they are also putting together a malicious collection of terrible losses. The depleted New Orleans Hornets are the latest pelt on that wall.
Three Is A Magic Number. Just in case Jason Richardson's 9-11 performance from beyond the arc against the Bucks last Saturday didn't convince you immediately, it is important to know that the Orlando Magic love to shoot threes and thus have the potential to destroy their opponents in a blink. They take a higher percentage of threes than any other team in the league (33.5 percent of their total shots) and convert those attempts at the fourth-highest rate. In the month of February (nine games), Ryan Anderson is taking seven threes per game and hitting a sparkling 47.5 percent, but still can't match Jason Richardson's 54.5 percent on the same number of attempts.
The Magic have taken 25+ shots from beyond the arc in five of their previous six games, and last Thursday in a win over the Heat they became only the fifth team since 1986 to attempt 42+ threes and make at least 17 of them. When teams elect to sag and smother interior passing lanes to keep the ball away from Dwight Howard, Orlando responds by working the ball around the perimeter until they catch the defense out of position and find an open sharpshooter. Consider this: of the 110 threes they have made so far in February (nine games), 86.3 percent have been assisted by a teammate.
Two Grumbly Coaches. His team has shared the ball well, converted three-point attempts at an elite level and won seven of the last nine games, so Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy is happy right? Nope. In his post-game comments following Orlando's impressive 103-87 win, after Ryan Anderson scored 27 points on 7-10 shooting from three and the team recorded assists on every one of their 15 made triples, SVG still wanted to nitpick Anderson for rebounding:
"I don't think Ryan needs to think about getting shots, tonight they were there. Guys made plays to him, and that's how Ryan needs to play. He shot the ball great, but he played 29 ½ minutes and got two rebounds. That's not good enough, that means all you're doing out there is shooting the ball. He's got to be more than a shooter, he's got to be able to play well. I know what he's capable of doing."
"I want the guy to be striving to be a great player, not just a shooter."
Scott Skiles has had his fair share of moments as head coach of the Bucks, including his recent response to a question probing for his insights into Brandon Jennings' swoon -- "nothing I would like to share" -- but SVG gives him a real run for his money in the coaching curmudgeon contest.
One Solution The Bucks Could Try To Reignite Brandon Jennings. In his last 10 games, Jennings owns a terrible set of shooting numbers -- 35.3% FG, 31.9% 3PT and 46.1% TS -- but unfortunately there is no stat for bravado; just know it is rapidly approaching zero. Here is the Wikipedia plot synopsis for How Stella Got Her Groove Back:
Stella (Angela Bassett) is a very successful, 40-year-old stock broker raising her son and living inMarin County, California who is persuaded by her New York friend Delilah (Whoopi Goldberg) to take a well-deserved, first-class vacation to Montego Bay, Jamaica. As she soaks in the beauty of the island, she encounters a strapping young islander, Winston Shakespeare (Taye Diggs), who is 20 years younger (20 years old). His pursuits for her turn into a hot and steamy romance that forces Stella to take personal inventory of her life and try to find a balance between her desire for love and companionship, and the responsibilities of mother and corporate executive.
Most of this is sappy nonsense (yet the age difference between Stella and Winston is strangely similar to the gap between Brandon and S-Jax), but if someone can pull off an effective analysis filled with metaphors to illuminate a path for Brandon Jennings to get his groove back, that would be great. Consider it an open contest for the comments section, but just remember to keep it classy.
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ehhh do we have to
Just more Disappointment ahead. Thank god Syracuse basketball is running smooth because with the devastating loss my 49ers had and this wonderful suckage streak the Bucks are in I dont know how I would stay living. Come on Bucks! Just show me SOMETHING to get excited about. Like letting Tobias Harris and Larry Sanders play 48 mins a game and see if they got something good going into next year.
Hopes are fading
…in my attempt to pull back the privacy curtain and find the Cap’n Jack is a smart, streetwise, well-informed spokesman for NBA players, including Jennings. The players get obscene amounts of money (like other highly public figures in the entertainment biz) but are still often treated like property. It would make sense, IMO, for a vet to make that point to a young player. Especially since Jackson has usually been credited with being a clutch, hard competitor. But it seems nothing like that is happening.
Jackson is talking still, and not sounding much like the man in my vision. He claims that he and Skiles have no relationship, because too much has happened. Hubris. Foolish talk.
Maybe Jennings gets his stream-of-consciousness or make that stream-of-subconsciousness riffs from Jackson’s penchant to run his mouth.
So if Jackson isn’t smart and in control, then Hammond’s acquiring of him is an even bigger misstep. The hits just keep coming — the kind of hits that land hard in the solar plexus.
I hate solar plexus hits.
Breathtaking, and not in the good way.
http://twitter.com/WhalesLarry ...but only if you want to see someone still trying to figure Twitter out.
by Mitchell Maurer on Feb 17, 2012 8:17 AM CST up reply actions
Skilles job right now is something out of a nightmare
Believing from the top of his bald spot to the bottom of his bunions that basketball is meaningful only because the players play with maximum effort and with all of their competitive qualities. While being responsible for a squad that is showing none of those things. Players with varying combinations of don’t care, don’t believe, don’t listen, don’t respect, and don’t want to be here.
We criticize him (yours truly included). but I don’t know if Lombardi could make something OK out of this situation.
A disciplinary coach is the last thing this group needs.
Lombardi had players who heard him and enforced his word. Skiles had that…to a certain degree. I think Bogut was the only one who truly listened, and he’s on the DL now.
http://twitter.com/WhalesLarry ...but only if you want to see someone still trying to figure Twitter out.
by Mitchell Maurer on Feb 17, 2012 8:19 AM CST up reply actions
The players have caught the franchise disease...
Lost their energy, feel like crap, and want to lie down.
Skiles cannot abide a player much less a team that would do that. It’s his religion to give 100% no matter what. (His way for avoiding the Big Questions.) He feels the sport has been blasphemed by the team he is responsible for. He has no “tools” to help his team. He can’t even respect it.
It would seem obvious that it can’t go on like this, can it? But all scenarios for change seem unlikely. Unlikely to happen. Or unlikely to work. Unlikely to reverse the downward spiral. But friends, it’s always darkest before the dawn… or before the sun is extinguished… or before management says: “Hey fans, just give your eyes time to adjust. Then you’ll see all the good things we have going on here. Careful! That abyss in front of you is a bit tricky. Take my hand and I’ll guide you around it.”
Gotta hit rock bottom
More importantly, have the wllingness to do so.
I know im just a stupid fan and what the hell do we know that management doesnt
But I do feel like more could have been done the last few years to bring in more talent. This is the 3rd strait year we went with Jennings/Bogut and a random old “scorer” Jefferson/Magettee/SJax. It doesnt work. Our last two drafts have sucked with the exception of Leuer. I dont know but I still feel like more scorers could have come in. We have some pieces that could have been traded. Hope they start bringing in more talent Im sick of losing
play the kids
since I doubt we can win tonight, or against any team that is either good or trying hard [like the Hornets on Wed and the Pistons in that game in Auburn Hills], I’d like to see Skiles give both Leuer and Harris a lot of minutes, in a lot of games. I see he did play them both on Wednesday, and I personally credit Leuer with energizing the team when he came in late in the 3rd. Not only do they need development, but they are not jaded or discontented, just eager, and boy do we need that!
"since I doubt we can win tonight, or against any team that is either good or trying hard"
Well I guess that means the Bucks can still beat…uh, the Wizards?
Otherwise no arguments on the kids. We know Skiles isn’t going to give them huge minutes right away, but when things get sluggish on the court there’s no reason not to give the young bloods some run. This team needs a shot in the arm, and Leuer and Tobias have generally provided it. It’s not like we’re asking them to play some projects who kill you on the court.
by Frank Madden on Feb 17, 2012 9:10 AM CST up reply actions
"can still beat ... uh, the Wizards?"
the Nets, Sunday?
It is also self-defeating for Skiles
Playing the kids more probably means more losing, hence, more reason for Hammonds to ax Skiles.
totally agree with the rooks getting PT
i would also like to see sanders getting more burn as well. Let’s put out a really young group and see how it goes. We need to develop these guys if we want to use them as a pieces in the future.
by Rare Monkey on Feb 17, 2012 10:48 AM CST up reply actions
I'm sure most of us do agree
Unfortunately the ones who pull the strings are not on the same page at this time.
"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 Feb 17, 2012 11:00 AM CST up reply actions
And yes to Sanders
Hard to fathom when we are screaming for post defense and rebounding that 4 boards a steal and 3 blocks in 6:27 nets you no more burn
"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 Feb 17, 2012 11:02 AM CST up reply actions
They need to play regardless
Veterans playing many minutes.
by toasterrebound on Feb 17, 2012 7:05 PM CST up reply actions
Will this be one of those games
That we inexplicably win to increase our excitement for a short time?
"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
God I hope not .....
Tank, tank, tank, tank, tank …..Sherman freakin tanks
The Bucks generally do the opposite of whatever Tom wants
So I guess this is a win?
by Frank Madden on Feb 17, 2012 9:10 AM CST up reply actions
A win tonight? Explicable or not...
Be still my heart.
Oh wait, that’s atrial fib. Never mind.
We’re going to a jazz concert tonight. Neo-bop. I expect the music to have more lyricism than my Milwaukee Bucks. When I get home, I’ll look in the direction of the DVR. If it avoids making eye contact, I’ll know it’s recorded another stinker.
I see J.R. Smith signed with the Knicks
How can that team(when everyone is back)play with one ball? No one will pass because they know they’ll never get it back. Davis, Smith, Melo, Stats and Chandler………..Although I wonder if Davis will play much with Lin emerging.
"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
Mbah a Moute back to the bench
Does Moute have (small) injuries?
Or is it that because Ilyasova/Leuer provides a slightly more adequate amount of muscle than any big combo with Moute (and not Gooden)?
yea just read that
feel like gooden is a must for tonight, it is going to be hard to keep the paint clear
by Rare Monkey on Feb 17, 2012 12:43 PM CST up reply actions
Does Moute have (small) injuries?
i haven’t heard of any injuries, but I have heard every time he bricks a 15 foot jumpshot, a baby kitten dies.
Skiles had a comment...
In the Gardner link at the top implying Luc’s been a bit too flat of late. But perhaps more importantly, Ilyasova has been very good for a while now.
by Frank Madden on Feb 17, 2012 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
As to the second part
I hope he keeps it up to the deadline, we might be able to get a mid first for him.
"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 it can't get much worse
Can it?
"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
worse?
Prob not worse in a meaningful sense.
But there could easily be upcoming rounds of sturm und drang. Various public schisms involving the currently controversial. Howsoever, it’s hard for me to imagine much movement in any direction — down, up or sideways. Waiting for the trade deadline is one excuse. Another is that action normally requires intention.
I think they’re too busy damning their luck to try to solve any of the problems. (Except maybe for a stupid Win Now trade.)
Sorry chuk
It was meant to be rhetorical
"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
I knew
But your rhetorical caused me to ponder the matter for a bit.
That’s a sore subject for me. Realizing how bad things are is worse when I can’t imagine Bucks management acting decisively to make them better. They’ve painted themselves into a corner, and they’re afraid of wet paint.
AFAIK, no rule says one person can’t twist & distort what another says for his own porpoises.
Here's a quote from a comment re: the Gardner article that I heartily endorse
Benching one player for lack of energy but not benching the most glaring, self-admitted lack of energy from another?
Yeah, that should do wonders for team chemistry and respect for the coach
"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
Yea i think i am done with skiles
he just is not consistent enough, especially right now since that seems to be what we need most.
Anybody miss Maggette?
This little clip will bring back memories to Bucks fans familiar with his basketball turning over ways.
Funny stuff, the more you watch it, the more you laugh, someone should definitely GIFF this clip.
anyone looking forward to tonight?
I am liking the young guys getting more PT (well at least leuer; just hoping that sanders and harris will too)
Which team has the advantage there do you think
"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
I keep hoping
we can get another team to overpay for him
"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
A non-lottery first
Would be good
"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
Small crowd on BH?
I guess it’s early in WI
"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
Amazing
we haven’t attempted a three yet
"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
Which sounds better
O-rena or Amway center? hmmmmm
"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
Maybe bravado jennings back?
I sure as shet hope so
"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
Harris getting in before Jax
LOL
"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
What was the latest comment?
"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
That he has no relationship with Skiles.
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 17, 2012 6:36 PM CST up reply actions
makes you yearn for Maggette
At least he kept his mouth shut
"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
i don;t know did you see that pass mags made directly to the other team
and then yelled for them to shoot it
This is where we trot out the “coming into the game we totally would have been happy with a lead going into halftime…” line.
by Frank Madden on Feb 17, 2012 7:08 PM CST up reply actions
anyone watching the orlando commentators (league pass broadband)
announcers saying there was like 5 passes in 1.6 sec on the whiteboard
sounds about right
Well Harris and Sanders got like 10 minutes each
That’s good news. Jax is 1-6 that’s……..expected?
"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
I really think Harris can be a starter someday
And Sanders a decent role player but they have to get the burn to develop
"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
Definitely.
To the Harris part, hopefully to the Sanders part. Really pleasantly surprised by Tobias so far.
by Frank Madden on Feb 17, 2012 7:24 PM CST up reply actions
Or Ersan
Granted, we wouldn’t have said that last year…
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 17, 2012 7:29 PM CST up reply actions
i think that if skiles is going to be a disciplinarian he needs to just bench both jax and jennings for a couple games
he has moute benched this whole game so far
Leuer Brockman Sanders
2 points 4 rebounds combined
Leuer has played 7 minutes!
Ugh…
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog, and Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog
Yes, I am on twitter. If you have to ask, you're streets behind.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 17, 2012 8:02 PM CST up reply actions
4 fouls in 7 minutes?
Are we playing Duke on the road?
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog, and Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog
Yes, I am on twitter. If you have to ask, you're streets behind.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 17, 2012 8:05 PM CST up reply actions
The All White Guy lineup has finally arrived!
by Brick's house on Feb 17, 2012 8:05 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
Remember when Brandon didn't miss all of his shots?
Good times, good times.
by Frank Madden on Feb 17, 2012 8:10 PM CST up reply actions
or when he actually tried playing basketball
he isn’t good enough to put up great numbers playing at 85% (like melo’s last season in denver)
5 personal fouls on Dwight Howard
AND a Delay of game on the Magic.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog, and Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog
Yes, I am on twitter. If you have to ask, you're streets behind.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 17, 2012 8:08 PM CST reply actions
I am watching an Orlando broadcast, has there been any reports on Harris injury by the Bucks crew?
by Brick's house on Feb 17, 2012 8:16 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
I think Steve was talking about this the other day...
Delfino’s often a fast starter but tends to tire…
by Frank Madden on Feb 17, 2012 8:19 PM CST up reply actions
Jennings misses a 3.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog, and Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog
Yes, I am on twitter. If you have to ask, you're streets behind.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 17, 2012 8:20 PM CST reply actions
Sadly our stealth tank involves Jennings playing horrible, horrible basketball
by Frank Madden on Feb 17, 2012 8:22 PM CST up reply actions
I feel like all the gains he made early on this year have disappeared
…Have they? Were they even there?
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 17, 2012 8:24 PM CST up reply actions
Jennings is close to absolute zero in terms of heat...
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog, and Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog
Yes, I am on twitter. If you have to ask, you're streets behind.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 17, 2012 8:22 PM CST reply actions
I came close to buying tic to see the Bucks in NJ Sunday.
There were 20th row seats in lower center court for $23. As bad as the Bucks look, I am not sure it would be worth it.
by Brick's house on Feb 17, 2012 8:29 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
There is another game in NJ in mid March.
I think I will take a strong look at tickets for that game. May be there will be some changes by then.
by Brick's house on Feb 17, 2012 8:32 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Addition by subtraction
Is my hope
"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
Should have finished
earlier
"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
Yup
I’ve been saying it time to have a rest BJ
"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
I'm going to be positive
like 80 percent of this game looked decent. just the other 20 percent was total failure. whatever, i think i’m on the tank. Nice to see the kids play more than usual, too.
Just got back from dinner ...
Did not see the game ….talk to me
We lost
BJ sucked, Harris played well but got hurt near the end
"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
Is he ok?
"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
Dunno ...sprained shoulder?
Didn’t he run into Howard?
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