Milwaukee Bucks PF/C Drew Gooden had seemingly stepped up his game in the absence of Andrew Bogut, and despite playing out of position on most nights he is posting very solid scoring and rebounding numbers even as the Bucks flounder below the playoff threshold. The Drew Gooden 4 MVP movement has arrived, so Steve and Frank discuss his double-edged sword type game in greater detail. Is it really worth it to getting bent out of shape about his defensive lapses or his awkward style?

After that, the conversation moves on to Luc Mbah a Moute (LRMAM) and how the Bucks can better optimize their starting lineup to avoid lackluster starts to games. Is there some simple shuffling that might help the team start contests stronger and finish them with greater authority? Changes involving Mike Dunleavy, Carlos Delfino, Ersan Ilyasova and LRMAM are all considered.

To listen to the podcast on your smartphone, follow this link. Otherwise, use the embedded flash player and enjoy.

The Milwaukee Bucks have the makings of a very solid 2011 draft class. First-round pick Tobias Harris (18.21 PER) and second-round pick Jon Leuer (17.73 PER) rank No. 3 and No. 4 among all NBA rookies in John Hollinger's Player Efficiency Rating (PER), but they are averaging just 11.3 and 13.3 minutes per game, respectively. In other words, neither player is getting the floor time that their performance level merits, and now Bucks fans are flashing a more than inquisitive stare in the direction of head coach Scott Skiles.

Frank and Steve identify and explore the reasons why Harris and Leuer have struggled to find their niche in the rotation, but are the answers satisfying in the end? Take a listen to this installment of the Brew Hoop podcast and tell us what you think. (Note: click this link to listen on your smartphone).

Brew Hoop's Milwaukee Bucks Podcast series is back, and in this episode Frank and Steve talk about Brandon Jennings, Stephen Jackson and the week that everyone wishes they could forget. After playing a disturbingly passive game in a loss to the Phoenix Suns last Tuesday and then missing out on the 2012 NBA All-Star game, Jennings landed in the headlines over at ESPN for telling Chris Broussard he is considering leaving Milwaukee when he gets the chance. If you would like to hear an in-depth, level-headed discussion on these issues, we've got the goods.

Highlights include: (1) a detailed breakdown of all the events listed above in the first 12 minutes, (2) Steve's trio of questions to Frank about what level of involvement Stephen Jackson has in Jennings' recent comments during the 12-minute mark to 21 minutes and (3) basketball strategy talk on how to get Jennings going again in both the open floor and the half court during the 21-minute mark up to the end of the podcast. Enjoy.

Brew Hoop's Milwaukee Bucks Podcast series is back with a vengeance. This time I had the opportunity to sit down to talk with Indiana Pacers writer and the creator of Hickory High, Ian Levy, about a variety of topics in the NBA. When the Bucks signed former Pacers forward Mike Dunleavy to a two-year, $7.5 million contract at the outset of free agency, I made my best efforts to break down the move and explain how Dunleavy can help the Bucks moving forward. What better way to find out what Dunleavy has left in the tank than to talk with someone who knows his game inside and out from watching him over the past four seasons?

The conversation doesn't end there, as we also covered a lot of developing Bucks and Pacers news from a variety of angles. Take a look and a listen to find out what else we covered in this interview.

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With free agency and training camp set to officially kick off on Friday, the rumormill is in full swing across the NBA and the magical idea of "cap space" is once again putting fans' imaginations into motion.

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If you are a Bucks fan, you certainly have an opinion on Michael Redd. He has experienced many transformations in a Bucks uniform, going from an unknown second-round pick, to a famous all-star and gold-medal SG, to an infamous player toiling away in obscurity while rehabbing his mangled knee ligaments. He has also morphed from a criminally underpaid role player, to a seriously overpaid professional scorer, to the "Michael Redd's Expiring Contract" piece thrown around haphazardly in trade scenarios.  

Despite these fluctuations in his perceived value and role, it is still fair to say that Michael Redd has remained the same in many important ways. For the entirety of his eleven-year career, Redd has been known by Bucks fans to be a devout Christian man who routinely made his way to center court for post-game prayers, and a charitable off-court personality dedicated to improving NBA communities in the Milwaukee area and beyond. As a player, you can make the argument that Redd has always been a "designated scorer" type who could offer his Bucks teams little more than volume scoring ability.

His legacy comes down to unfortunate timing. To draw upon the sentiments of two stock phrases: familiarity breeds contempt, while absence makes the heart grow fonder. At times during his career, Redd became all too familiar to Bucks fans tired of lax defense and losing seasons. At other times, his absence magnified the need for like-kind offensive talent, but even then he left us wanting upon his various returns to action. The timing never quite seemed to be right.

If you accept our premise that Michael Redd's career with the Milwaukee Bucks is effectively over, then please join us for a discussion on where that leaves his legacy with the franchise...  

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Are you becoming numb to PR-laced lockout stories and rec league highlights? [Nods head slowly] Do you yearn for some good old-fashioned NBA talk? [Makes sky point gesture] Are you curious to learn more about the talents of recent Bucks draft picks Tobias Harris and Jon Leuer? [Nods head vigorously and falls off swivel chair]. Well, if so, then I can confidently say that Brew Hoop has something special for you. We are proud to present the First Annual Todd Day Memorial Bucks Draft Pick Forecast!

In this episode, Frank Madden, Dan Sinclair, and Steve von Horn offer a long form scouting report on Milwaukee Bucks second-round draft pick Jon Leuer. In Podcast # 10, we analyzed the most salient questions associated with first-round Tobias Harris. Now we bring the same in-depth coverage on former University of Wisconsin star, and 40th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, Jon Leuer. Will his skills translate to the NBA game? How will his role develop with the Bucks? Take a look and take a listen to get our thoughts on these subjects and much more.

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Are you becoming numb to PR-laced lockout stories and rec league highlights? [Nods head slowly] Do you yearn for some good old-fashioned NBA talk? [Makes sky point gesture] Are you curious to learn more about the talents of recent Bucks draft picks Tobias Harris and Jon Leuer? [Nods head vigorously and falls off swivel chair]. Well, if so, then I can confidently say that Brew Hoop has something special for you. We are proud to present the First Annual Todd Day Memorial Bucks Draft Pick Forecast (note: this will make more sense after you listen to the audio)!

In this episode, Frank Madden, Dan Sinclair, and Steve von Horn offer a long form scouting report on Milwaukee Bucks first-round draft pick Tobias Harris. In Podcast # 9, we covered the well-documented training habits and maturity of Harris--and how these traits may have affected his draft workout results and helped to determine his ultimate landing place with the Bucks, while also referencing the pro-style workouts he's been doing since high school. What are the most important issues we have identified for his transition to the NBA, and how do we see him contributing to the Bucks in the near future? All this and more beyond the jump...

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