Bucks vs. Bulls Preview: All-Star Break Beckons For Slumping Bucks, Surging Bulls
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2012 7:00 AM CST
in Previews
Email
Print
| 2011/2012 NBA Season | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
vs. |  |
| 13-19 (6-11 away) | 26-8 (12-2 home) |
|
| February 22, 2012 | ||
| United Center | ||
| 7:00 PM CT |
||
| Radio: 620 WTMJ TV: FSN Wisconsin |
||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Brandon Jennings |
PG | Derrick Rose |
| Shaun Livingston |
SG | Ronnie Brewer |
| Carlos Delfino | SF | Luol Deng |
| Ersan Ilyasova | PF | Carlos Boozer |
| Jon Leuer | C | Joakim Noah |
| (18th) 102.7 - OFFENSE - 107.8 (3rd) |
||
| (19th) 104.5 - DEFENSE - 97.6 (2nd) |
||
| (12th) 92.9 - PACE - 89.9 (21st) | ||
On the Bulls: Blog-a-Bull / Bulls by the Horns / Bullsville
Having already lost to the Bulls at home and on the road, the Bucks return to Chicago hoping to shake off their latest disappointing loss against the Magic on Monday.
Grantland: Watching Bucks/Nets
Thanks to unklchuk (and perhaps others) for linking to Rafe Bartholomew's entertaining piece over at Grantland about watching the Buccks/Nets game on Sunday. A sampler:
No matter what happens on the court, Skiles reacts with pursed lips and a steely-eyed squint. Like Eastwood's grim-faced veteran in Gran Torino, he'll say to Stephen Jackson: "Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while you shouldn't have f***ed with? That's me." But really, he's just disappointed by the way the world has changed around him and left him and his values behind. He's got love in his heart for all his players, even Jackson. They just need to abide by Skiles' code. Ilyasova gets it. Luc Mbah a Moute gets it. Jon Leuer gets it. And that's how Skiles, wherever he coaches, always ends up with a team like the Bucks - loads of moxie and light on talent.
Entertaining stuff.
Ersanity. It wasn't quite 29/25, but Ersan Ilyasova didn't suffer much of a letdown following his career night in Jersey, notching his third straight double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds against the Magic. Make no mistake, Ilyasova's putting together a career month with 14.0 ppg, 11.3 rpg, and 1.3 bpg on .420/.500/.800 shooting, helping the Bucks stay afloat despite the absence of Andrew Bogut and now Drew Gooden. For the season he's averaging career-highs in rebound rate (19.3%) and PER, and watching his relentless work on the boards has been one of the few positives of the past few weeks.
What's not clear is where Ilyasova ends up next summer, which is a big reason why the Bucks would be silly not to be exploring trade options as the March 15 deadline draws near. Never one to mince words, Ilyasova told Hoops World recently he would go wherever he's paid the most next summer, and there's a good chance that could be in Europe. Having previously played professionally at both Fenerbahce Ulker and FC Barcelona, Ilyasova signed with Anadolu Efes last summer for a reported €2.7 million net of taxes and made no secret of his preference for staying in Turkey rather than return to MIlwaukee after the lockout was over. It's certainly not an irrational sentiment financially: factoring in taxes and exchange rates, Ilyasova would need roughly a mid-level NBA deal to match the kind of money he earned in Europe last year.
Then again, Ilyasova's current form could very well earn him MLE-type dollars from an NBA team this summer. I wouldn't have expected to be saying that a month ago, but now? Sure, it's possible. I mean, Glen friggin' Davis got more than the MLE last summer, so never underestimate the capacity of NBA GMs to overpay. And gritty, rebounding power forwards who can stick jump shots tend to fit in with pretty much any team, though it's also not certain if Ersan keeps up his current productivity for the rest of the year, much less over the course of a multi-year deal. That's a big reason why I'm still skeptical about Ersan's future in Milwaukee: consistency has never been Ersan's strong suit, there's a good chunk of money already invested in Drew Gooden--but all he needs is one team to be enamored with him to get a very nice NBA payday.
Return of Rose. Bad news for the Bucks: Derrick Rose's back is feeling better. Rose returned from a five-game absence for Monday's 90-79 win over the Hawks, scoring 23 points and adding six assists in 35 minutes. The Bulls have now won six straight against the Bucks overall with Rose averaging 30 ppg and 11 apg over the past three.
The Decline of Jennings. Brandon Jennings' three point shot has been broken for a couple weeks (16/67 since his 7/14 night against Miami), but his finishing at the rim has also been a major issue. Jennings has made just 16/38 fg at the rim over the past 13 games--a serious decline in both attempts and efficiency from earlier in the season when he was converting around 63%. Overall, he hasn't made 50% or better of his shots since January 30 against Detroit (8/15), though he came close against the Magic (9/19).
Also worrying is that Jennings hasn't been creating for others as much either: he's registered more than five assists just once in the last eight games (eight vs. the Cavs).
Walking wounded. Drew Gooden (wrist), Tobias Harris (shoulder contusion), and Stephen Jackson (hamstring) will be unavailable again tonight, giving Scott Skiles ten players with which to work. Charles Gardner writes that Harris took part in shootaround today but won't be put at risk, while Jackson was also unavailable on Monday due to the sore hammy.
Why Skiles had been playing Jackson at all is a bit of a mystery to me at this point--all Jackson generally does is play poorly in limited minutes and then complain about Skiles and his situation to reporters afterwards. Is this the Bucks' idea of showcasing Jackson? That's all I can think of, though I'm not sure playing an underachieving Jackson will do anything to make another team want to acquire him.
151 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
as difficult as it has been to watch
the bucks fail to close out in three straight games against orlando, our current 6 game losing streak to Derrick Rose and Co. is more deflating. They simply dominate every matchup against us.
I hate to be so negative, but I get optimistic when we play Miami, LA, and Orlando because we pose match up problems. I just don’t see a whole lot of promise against Chicago. Who knows. I hope I’m wrong!
by Charlie_Buckets on Feb 22, 2012 2:36 PM CST reply actions
Orlando maybe, Chicago no
I completely agree. Even though those endings were awful, the games were fun because we could have won. The game against chicago is just torture to watch, being dominated from the get-go, all the way through…
not sure if it’s match-ups or Thibodeau’s defenses or something more complicated/psychological
Derrick Rose really shows up Jennings terrible on-ball defense
I mentioned in another post a couple of nights back that a writer somewhere had referred to Gooden as a ‘screen door’ on defense against an opposing centre one night recently.
Against D-Rose…Jenning seems more like a catflap. Rose just walks into the paint – which is exactly where he wants to be – and that just kills this team without Bogut to get in his way.
Although, there aren’t many people who can handle Rose 1-2-1 on the ball..perhaps I am being harsh.
I think Brandon’s man defense has been an issue all year….obviously he is limited in how much he can do against Rose in high P&R scenarios, but generally I think Brandon lets people get by him surprisingly easily one-on-one. His pressure on the ball is usually OK, but guys seem to have a pretty easy time getting into the lane against him. As fast as he is, it seems like guys drive by him more than he drives by the other guys.
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2012 6:40 PM CST up reply actions
Yep I think you summarised it better.
It seems almost like he doesn’t get into a defensive crouch and move his feet laterally…and he ends up running alongside these guys once they blow past him. There is nothing that makes his man need to consider changing direction and therefore slowing down.
Erm…my expert two cents….
Maybe
Bucks had a lot better chance in the first meeting in Chicago. Due for a surprise win tonight.
by toasterrebound on Feb 22, 2012 7:17 PM CST up reply actions
Playing with 10 guys is it time
To see if Albert Miralles is ready?
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
Hahaha
He’s in Spain or something right? and I would actually play him to help with the tank.
by BtotheJtothe3 on Feb 22, 2012 3:46 PM CST up reply actions
CB is awarded five bonus points for that reference...
Your skills are impressive, CB :)
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2012 4:45 PM CST up reply actions
Lol agreed
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
Yeah, I'm fine with it
If we had Bogut and were giving it a good go then I’d be in favor of bringing in a real backup, but given how things have shaken out…meh. Let’s play Sanders and Leuer and let the chips fall where they may.
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2012 5:23 PM CST up reply actions
All that ruckus and he's back where he was
Drama queen.
by toasterrebound on Feb 22, 2012 7:18 PM CST up reply actions
that his wrist is broke? or he will be back?
by Charlie_Buckets on Feb 22, 2012 7:01 PM CST up reply actions
never want a guy to be injured, thats not very fair.....
but the situation turns out better for us in that it is forced playing time for Leuer, Sanders et al. Back the young group in to develop I reckon.
It's a Gooden thing.
Was gonna respond earlier…but then I was left speechless when I just saw Avery Bradley throw down on Kevin Durant.
Yep, but he should pay more attention in defense
so that Skiles leaves him on the court for our enjoyment
Hey Palomba
Is it carnavale time?
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
Down here in Buenos Aires, you mean?
It is, but no one pays very much atention. You should go to Rio for some fun, or any Brazilian city, for the matter.Montevideo, the Uruguayan capital, has some nice carnaval tradition of their own, very different from the Brazilian one.
We had it but lose it over the years.
I just have you guys on ...
Not watching the Bucks
More Leuer
For the rest of the season…please
not sure if anyone else has fsn on
but bulls are 21-0 when winning the first quarter. that was fun! good night guys
by Charlie_Buckets on Feb 22, 2012 7:36 PM CST reply actions
Make that 21-1 after tonight!
by matticharlie23 on Feb 22, 2012 7:38 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
You know your a bucks fan..
…if you’re still watching them after the Orlando magic games
by matticharlie23 on Feb 22, 2012 7:48 PM CST via Android app reply actions
We all need professional help, don’t we?
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2012 7:51 PM CST up reply actions
I wonder if Jeff Foxworthy could do a routine
Like his redneck one i.e “You just might be a Buck fan.”
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
Well there are only about 40 of us
So I don’ t think the market is big enough to justify it :)
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2012 7:53 PM CST up reply actions
there would have been 41
but the game i took my gf to was the hornets game and nothing about that game inspired new fan support
by Charlie_Buckets on Feb 22, 2012 7:55 PM CST up reply actions
Heh... Stacey
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 7:57 PM CST up reply actions
It's because of Dan's last post
He obviously became re-energized by it.
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 22, 2012 7:56 PM CST up reply actions
I'm seriously beginning to wonder
if any benefit of Skiles’ defensive strategy is completely negated by his line-up decisions. I mean, matchups are killing us.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 8:00 PM CST reply actions
i have been watching that
he hasn’t been able to get good position all game; they are keying on him and sometimes two on him for box out
I think we should trade S-Jax for Jerry Stackhouse
And Tracey McGrady.
No idea on the contract action there whatsoever.
Livingston and Jennings preforming well together in the backcourt, relatively.
Only 5 minutes for Dunleavy so far…
Bulls doubling the Bucks on rebounds
Someone send out the Ersan signal…
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 22, 2012 8:11 PM CST up reply actions
Oh, god.
Someone give me an idea and I’ll photoshop one.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 8:25 PM CST up reply actions
Ersan just doubled HIS rebounds
By grabbing…one.
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2012 8:27 PM CST up reply actions
ERSANITY!!!!
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 8:33 PM CST up reply actions
I'm ashamed to admit it,
but I think they’re cool, too. I hate them, but they’re cool.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 8:41 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, but they’re Hollywood as hell.
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2012 8:43 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I mean, honestly, how much
better are the Bulls’ uniforms than the Bucks’? A lot much.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 8:46 PM CST up reply actions
Anyone got any idea of what's with Luc this year?
Seems like he’s fallen off Skiles bandwagon for sure.
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
Is there anyone else on said wagon?
Besides Cap’n Jack, of course.
http://twitter.com/WhalesLarry ...but only if you want to see someone still trying to figure Twitter out.
by Mitchell Maurer on Feb 22, 2012 9:22 PM CST up reply actions
Always thought his dad was kind of cool
That’s the best thing I can say abut him
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
Week off
Who needs rest
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
hayward workman is one of the refs in this game?
you think hed hook the bucks up with some calls…
by Charlie_Buckets on Feb 22, 2012 8:52 PM CST reply actions
No one wants 8th in the East
celts and Cavs both lose
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
I can't stand the bulls
But it’s so hard to like the bucks right now
Mental talent we're ok though
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
this is bound to be a very ugly quarter
by Charlie_Buckets on Feb 22, 2012 8:54 PM CST reply actions
P.s. John Brockman has no place in the nba
No surprise
I'm going to go with.....
No
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
I'm just done
Dammit I don’t want to spend my free time hating my life. If scalabrine gets in f*ck this
No talent, no choices
Also, Leuer can’t play defense or rebound
Hey we only lost the 2nd quarter by 4 :)
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
I'm hoping Larry can score a point and/or grab a rebound before this is over.
by Frank Madden on Feb 22, 2012 9:03 PM CST up reply actions
We got it inside 20 :)
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
Bulls announcers referred to Jon Brockman as "The Human Foul".
Golf clap.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 9:07 PM CST reply actions
I guess it's better than
The foul human but still…I’ve seen guys worse than him
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
Gibson and Noah
have almost out rebounded the Bucks….sad
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
It's too bad we didn't have a decent team
Miami, Chicago and orlando then it’s a free-for-all and no one really playing well. Philly ready to lose their 5th straight.
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
Ugh
That felt like a low energy game. Bit like this felt like a low energy thread.
Not a criticism of the BH faithful. Perhaps more an acceptance of where this team seems to be headed.
13-20… that is a lot of games below .500.
WOOOO DRAFT PICK
http://twitter.com/WhalesLarry ...but only if you want to see someone still trying to figure Twitter out.
by Mitchell Maurer on Feb 22, 2012 9:24 PM CST up reply actions
George Matabute?
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
- flying ping pong balls -
Pick No.17….the Milwaukee Bucks!
We select a power forward.
Random acts of violence are reported across Milwaukee in the ensuing 24 hours.
I don't think anybody cares enough to commit violence for the Bucks
Unless everyone here got together to start a riot.
by Jacob Grinyer on Feb 22, 2012 9:27 PM CST up reply actions
As long as it's a "true" PF
I’m good with that
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
Like Vin Baker was
They've got just enough talent and skill that teams will keep signing them and hoping they put the pieces together, until all of a sudden eight years have passed and they're John Salmons.(Rafe Bartholemew)
Just got back from my kid's hoops practice.
Shot around a bit and drained 5 threes in a row. One of the kids on the team tells my son “Your dad should play for the Bucks” ….haha
On another note
Luke Ridnour just hit a clutch floater in the lane with .6 of a seconds left so that his + .500 team beats the Jazz. Good for him.
Shame the Bucks didn’t reupp him.
Recap up
http://www.brewhoop.com/2012/2/22/2817864/derrick-rose-bulls-bucks-joakim-noah-triple-double
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 Feb 22, 2012 10:21 PM CST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Brew Hoop
Related FanShots on Brew Hoop
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- C-a-C: This is probably as close to LeBron James working with John Waters as we’ll ever get
- Dwyane Wade’s hot pink pants: The kind of thing you can get away with when you drop 41
- Lamar Odom to New York? Dwight Howard on the move? For now, it’s all talk
- David West hilariously denies each and every one of his young fans a high-five (VIDEO)
- Behind the Box Score, where the Miami Heat are moving on to the conference finals
