clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Monday Bucks Notes

By Alex Boeder

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

  • Tom Enlund of JS Online writes about the Bucks’ defensive efforts against the Bulls.

    "We played 10 possessions of zone in the second quarter," said Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak. "It was effective. They only scored once. We played zone 10 times in the first half and they scored once. And it was similar to that in the second half. I think you can find a little bit of a mixure with zone."

  • Enlund also writes about Yi Jianlian getting the rookie treatment from teammates before the home opener. I’d say he dealt with it pretty well.
  • China Daily writes about Yi’s big Saturday night.  The comparisons to Yao Ming are inevitable but unfortunate because of the obvious differences between the players, which far outweigh the similarities.

    "If you compare us in our third NBA games, you will see that Yi's statistics are far better than mine," Yao told Monday's Titan Sports Weekly, which ran a front-page photo of the 20-year-old Yi.
    "I hope he gets better and better and will be able play at a high level."

  • Charley Rosen of Fox Sports breaks down Yi’s big game too, and gives a mostly favorable review.

    In defending Tyrus Thomas in the low post, Yi fought his way into a three-quarter position — and was able to challenge the incoming pass. One of his steals resulted from this maneuver.
    Yi didn't always know what to do or where to go, but he never stopped hustling.

  • Ed Weiland of HoopsAnalyst offers his top ten candidates for Most Improved Player and is more optimistic than most Bucks fans about Charlie Villanueva.
    1. Villanueva never got it going in Milwaukee last season, mainly due to an injury. Eventually the Bucks are going to decide that Yi just isn’t ready and move Villanueva in at PF, PT guarantees be damned. As a starter, Villanueva should be good for something like a 17 PPG and 8 RPG at a minimum. I don’t know if that will be enough in what looks like a pretty strong field for this award, but he’s worth a mention.

More From Brew Hoop