JS: Skiles reviews his rookies
Naturally, Scott Skiles isn't being overly generous with his rookies--but would we have it any other way? Let's start with the Bucks' best player of the week, Larry Sanders:
"I thought he was good offensively," Skiles said. "He showed a nice feel offensively for what we're trying to do. He has a nice touch. He moves around the floor well. But he's got to defend better, and he's got to be a better defensive rebounder. . . nothing that he's not capable of doing."
The rebounding was something we talked about on Sunday, and overall I'm not sure if he'll be more than an average rebounder immediately, simply because of his lack of strength down low. Hard to say--he's so active that it might be something he can overcome. Defensively, I don't think he was tested enough in man-to-man situations to get a good sense of his abilities in that area, but it's hard to question his work as a help defender. Understandably less rosy was Skiles' assessment of Tiny Gallon.
"He's got an awful lot to learn," Skiles said. "An awful lot to work on. He's a really good kid and is a fun guy to be around, but he's got an awful lot to work on."We're taking strides to help him get better. He's going to need to be a lot better to make our team and do anything. Right now, he's got a long way to go. We're going to have some patience when working with him, but on the other hand we're going to be firm because we think he has a nice skill set. But there's a lot to learn."
Is Gallon really in danger of not making the regular season roster? I'm not sure I'd take Skiles' words at face value. It sounds like he's trying to send a message, and being "patient" with a 19-year-old doesn't mean throwing in the towel after only a couple months. Still, the Bucks will undoubtedly keep a close eye on him throughout the summer. You can bet they expected him to be in better shape going into last week's training sessions, and if he can't get into better condition by training camp all bets could be off.
NBA.com: Sanders selected to Vegas All-Tournament Team
The fact that DeMarcus Cousins was named the T-Mobile rookie of the month is nothing short of baffling--though his 14.5 ppg and 9.8 rpg in Vegas are repsectable, he also shot an abysmal 33% from the field and turned it over nearly five times per game. I guess the voters didn't notice Cousins pout his way to 4/27 shooting over the final two games. Ah well. But the good news is that Sanders was deservedly recognized as a member of the Vegas "all-tournament" team, finishing with 14.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg and 3.2 bpg on 44.6% shooting.
TrueHoop: Sanders among Sunday's best
Following a week's worth of Summer League viewing, Kevin Arnovitz loves the idea of adding Sanders to the league's #2 defense.
How will Larry Sanders' game fit in with Milwaukee's existing parts? His sound face-up 18-footer will help a Bucks' offense that was choked for open space in the half court. He also gives Brandon Jennings another dependable partner on the pick-and-roll and wins almost every race to the rim in transition. A Sanders-Andrew Bogut tandem could eventually constitute the best defensive frontcourt in the league. Milwaukee is unlikely to to reach the highest echelon in the East with its firepower, but blanket the paint with two capable pick-and-roll defenders who can block shots and clean the glass and they have the makings of a team that could post a stingy defensive efficiency rating in the high-90s.
Bucksketball: The PF position has gotten crowded
Jeremy breaks down the Bucks' six-pack of options at power forward.
Sports Bank.Net: Hammond may have one more transaction up his sleeve
We were joking in the comment section yesterday about the Bucks' summer work potentially being done. But Jake McCormick writes that the PF logjam could be the precursor to yet another deal.
Almost by default, trading for the Brockness Monster signals the end of Ersan Ilyasova or Luc Richard Mbah a Moute’s careers in Milwaukee. Because the Prince is a stud defensive specialist capable of covering positions one through four, it leaves Ilyasova as the odd man out on the trading block.
I doubt the Bucks will feel any pressure to move Ersan or Luc, but I agree that they're the most likely candidates to be shipped out. Some might argue Carlos Delfino also deserves in that category, but I still like his perimeter shooting and abilities as a role-playing starter. Fortunately there's no pressure on Hammond to deal any of them.
Bucks Beat: Offseason Poll
Paul Imig is a good dude. And he's running an offseason poll. You know what to do, people.
NBA.com: Jennings liking Sanders’ game
Sanders' good week was also an audition of sorts in front of his new point guard. Apparently Brandon doesn't watch a lot of mid-major basketball...
“I knew nothing,” Jennings said. “When they said they were gonna pick him I didn’t know who he was at all. But when they said he could run the floor and block shots, it was exactly what we need.”
Hoopsworld: Young Bucks Travel in Herd
Nice read on the Bucks' rookies by Alex Kennedy. Looks like Darington Hobson isn't naive about the role of a rookie in the NBA:
"I don't want to be a leader! I just want to play my role," he said with a smile. "That's playing tough defense, making plays for my teammates, and make things easier for guys like Chris Douglas-Roberts, Carlos Delfino, and Luc Mbah a Moute off of the bench. Those are the leaders of that group, they've been here before and right now I just want to contribute in any way I can."
Dime: Bucks Have Had The Most Underrated Offseason
Wait, someone's taking note of the Bucks? Yep. Daniel Marks from Dime has indeed been paying attention this summer.
So while their offseason moves haven’t been overly talked about, the Bucks have done something rare over the past few seasons. Led by Hammond, the team has effectively solidified its most glaring needs: wing scoring and front-court depth without egregiously overpaying anyone. Job well-done. Not to mention that Hammond also has Michael Redd’s huge expiring contract to work with in trade scenarios to further improve his squad.
Walker: Bucks quietly sign another one-year lease
Ah yes, that whole arena situation...