Michael Redd Got First Start In Over 2 Years With Suns On Saturday, Will Return To Milwaukee On Tuesday

by Steve von Horn on Feb 5, 2012 1:17 PM CST in News

Veteran shooting guard Michael Redd has been trying to make a true comeback from the serious knee injuries he suffered during his career as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. After eleven seasons and 578 games in Milwaukee, the one-time All-Star signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2011-12 with the hopes of recapturing some of the magic from his early years in a Bucks uniform.

On Saturday night when the Suns played an undermanned and downright terrible Charlotte Bobcats team, Redd returned to an NBA starting lineup for the first time since January 10, 2010 (when the Bucks visited the Los Angeles Lakers). On that fateful night in LA, Redd not only shot 0-4 from the field and scored zero points, he also suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee that forced him to miss the remainder of the season and effectively ended his career in Milwaukee. Luckily, Saturday night against the Bobcats went much better for Mr. Redd.

With Jared Dudley a late scratch due to a thigh bruise, Redd got the unexpected nod from head coach Alvin Gentry just before the game and made the most of his opportunity. He scored a team-high 17 points on 6-12 shooting (4-7 from three) in just 23 minutes, and helped the Suns hold court against the Bobcats. The 17-point effort marks his highest scoring output since he scored 24 against the Chicago Bulls on January 8, 2010. The timing of the effort could not be better for Redd, who will make his first-ever trip to Milwaukee on an opposing NBA team when the Suns take on the Bucks on Tuesday night at the Bradley Center. In fact, his time as a Buck came to the top of mind when he discussed his performance with reporters after the game:

"Yeah, I haven't seen that since the Ray Allen and Big Dog (Glenn Robinson) days (playing for the Bucks), when Ray Allen was over here, Glenn was right here, and Sam Cassell was right there, so I'd be left open," he said. "I haven't seen that in a long time. I'm usually seeing double teams and all kinds of traps, so it was great."

On behalf of everyone still in love with the Milwaukee Bucks, Brew Hoop extends best wishes to Michael Redd as he gets more opportunities to recapture his best years with the Suns, and if he makes another start on Tuesday night I'm sure he will receive the proper ovation from Milwaukee fans. As long as the Bucks get the win, I'm sure everyone would be fine if he scored another 17...or 57, for that matter.

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Comments

Classy post, Steve

Redd is a classy guy who had some bad fortune and worse timing. He had some fine moments here, and I’m glad to see him finding some success again,

http://twitter.com/WhalesLarry ...but only if you want to see someone still trying to figure Twitter out.

by Mitchell Maurer on Feb 5, 2012 1:52 PM CST reply actions

agreed

all the best to mike Redd, a class act and owner of arguably sweetest jumper alltime. I never thought it was fair that people took their frustrations out on him.

by Daniel Flanagan on Feb 5, 2012 3:00 PM CST reply actions

My first post here is a contentious one, apparently.

Because I’d put Ray Allen way ahead of Redd for “sweetest jumper of all time.” But I would have put Ray Allen ahead of Michael Redd for a lot of things, including who should have been playing shooting guard for the last several years.

Mike seemed like a good enough guy, but he had no chance to play up to that contract. It was a bad deal then, and both he and the Bucks needed to move on without one another. I wish him well, but have no delusions that he should have stayed in Milwaukee.

I promise not to argue in all of my posts. :)

by mpbMKE on Feb 6, 2012 11:06 AM CST up reply actions

Oh believe me, the Ray Allen trade still makes me upset to this very minute. But hey, I figured Redd has taken enough heat for being the player he always has been.

Your post is certainly not contentious to me, but now that the Redd era is over in Milwaukee I think we can all wish him the best for the rest of his career. Not to mention the timing of his first start in PHX is really compelling from a Bucks angle anyways.

Thanks for the post though, hope to see you around these parts again. And believe me, arguing a solid point is always welcome here.

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 6, 2012 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

I have no ill will toward him

but I won’t be surprised if there are some half-hearted boos when he takes the court tomorrow.

by mpbMKE on Feb 6, 2012 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

My first thought isn't very worthy...

After all the burning frustration and extensive delays Michael and the Bucks went through, if he’s now back and has game, did it have to happen on another team? It’s not like were over-stocked on shooters.

From one perhaps slanted view, it seems Bucks management may have washed their hands on him when it felt good to management but perhaps was an indulgent decision. That’s what dumb franchises do.

More likely though is that Michael is going to have a mixed or limited career in Phoenix. Certainly wish him well, though.

by unklchuk on Feb 5, 2012 4:38 PM CST reply actions