Brew Hoop - Bucks vs. Knicks Gameday | Milwaukee hoping for good health in New York for season openerMilwaukee Bucks News and Analysis Since 2007https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47773/brewhoop_fave.png2013-10-31T00:01:03-05:00http://www.brewhoop.com/rss/stream/48116052013-10-31T00:01:03-05:002013-10-31T00:01:03-05:00Game 1 Podcast Recap: Bucks Fall To Knicks In NY
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<figcaption>Al Bello</figcaption>
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<p>A poor first half effort doomed the Bucks in their season opener against the Knicks, but a third quarter surge gave rise to some bright spots. Nate Wolters made a surprising debut as Luke Ridnour and Brandon Knight were forced to watch the loss unfold.</p> <p>Well, the 2013-14 <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a> season is off to a weird start. <span>Luke Ridnour</span> emerged a late scratch (sore back) and <span>Brandon Knight</span> (hamstring) fell victim to an early injury in Game 1 against the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a>, which meant that second-round rookie point guard <span>Nate Wolters</span> (30 minutes, 3-12 shooting, nine points, four assists, two turnovers) was abruptly thrust into action on the road, against a playoff-caliber opponent with a pesky backcourt counterpart (<span>Pablo Prigioni</span>), in his first official game. Things went about as well as you'd expect, considering the circumstances, but the 90-83 loss wasn't all bad.</p>
<p>Sure, the Bucks stumbled into some familiar quicksand immediately and fell behind by a double-digit margin, but Larry Drew's patchwork squad still found a way to re-focus in the second half and even take the lead (for the first time) in the 44th minute of play. Wolters and <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span> both scored their first NBA point during the contest, but neither played a big factor in how the game evolved. It was a game for the veterans.</p>
<p><span>Tyson Chandler</span> (10 points, six rebounds, five blocks) dominated his matchup with <span>Larry Sanders</span> (five fouls, four rebounds, zero points) and helped hold the Bucks to six points in the paint during the first half. <span>Zaza Pachulia</span> (13 points, 11 rebounds) did his best to keep pace with Knicks star <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> (19 points, 10 rebounds), and often looked like the best player on the floor for Milwaukee.</p>
<p><span>Raymond Felton</span> (18 points, three assists, three steals) made his mark against the depleted Bucks backcourt, while <span>Gary Neal</span> (16 points, five assists, zero turnovers) and <span>O.J. Mayo</span> (13 points, five rebounds, three assists) did their best to put some pressure on New York defenders. John Henson didn't play at all in the first quarter and then didn't make much of an impact, while <span>Ersan Ilyasova</span> keyed a third-quarter run but wasn't able to stay in to try to close out the game.</p>
<p>It was every bit the 46-turnover affair that the box score suggests, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/30/5049090/knicks-bucks-final-score-recap-carmelo-anthony-brandon-knight-injury">as Dan describes in the recap</a>, Milwaukee fought back from a big deficit only to see its best chance for victory vanish like a fart in the wind:</p>
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<p>Caron Butler's three pointer improbably tied the game at 80 with 4:39 to play, and <span>John Henson</span> went 1-2 at the line a few moments later to give Milwaukee a one-point lead. The Bucks even had a chance to extend their lead on a breakout shortly thereafter, but Butler was called for a debatable offensive foul trying to shield off a Knick defender when a layup seemed more likely. The Knicks then picked up their defensive pressure in the final minutes, forcing a pair of turnovers and allowing only three more shot attempts by the Bucks, one of which was blocked by Tyson Chandler.</p>
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<p>If you're interested in hearing our extended thoughts on the opener against the Knicks, we recorded a recap podcast. Here it is:</p>
<p><iframe data-name="pb-iframe-player" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100" src="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/audio/postId/4949640?url=http%3A%2F%2Fbrewhoop.podbean.com%2F2013%2F10%2F31%2Fknicks-90-bucks-83-game-1-recap%2F"></iframe></p>
<p id="paragraph2"><b>(1) For PC And Mac Users - </b><a href="http://brewhoop.podbean.com/mf/play/zj2afq/Game1_Knicks.mp3">Listen to this episode</a> <b><i>.</i> </b>You can also <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/brewhoop.com/id460153580" target="_blank">listen or subscribe on iTunes</a>.</p>
<p id="paragraph3"><b>(2) For iPhone Users - </b><a href="http://brewhoop.podbean.com/mf/web/zj2afq/Game1_Knicks.mp3">Download this episode (right click and save)</a> . You can <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/brewhoop.com/id460153580" target="_blank">listen or subscribe on iTunes</a>.</p>
<p id="paragraph4"><b>(3) For Mobile Android Users - </b><b><i><a href="http://brewhoop.podbean.com/mobile/" target="_blank">Visit our Mobile Site.</a></i></b></p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/31/5049490/knicks-vs-bucks-recap-podcast-nate-woltersSteve von Horn2013-10-30T21:41:05-05:002013-10-30T21:41:05-05:00Bucks vs. Knicks recap: Bucks lose, Knight hurt
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<figcaption>Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sport</figcaption>
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<p>A disastrous first half put Milwaukee in a big hole, and a monster comeback in the second half wasn't enough to earn a season-opening win in Madison Square Garden.</p> <p> </p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131030/MILNYK/gameinfo.html?ls=slt"><b>Box Score</b></a></p>
<p>In a sloppy season opener that saw a combined 46 (!) turnovers, <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> scored 19 points and added 10 rebounds to lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> to a shaky home win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a>, 90-83. The Knicks blitzed the Bucks early and led by 25 points at the half, but Milwaukee stormed back in the third quarter behind <span>Zaza Pachulia</span> (13 points, 10 rebounds), <span>Gary Neal</span> (16 pts, 5 ast) and <span>O.J. Mayo</span> (13 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast). Milwaukee even managed to claim an 81-80 lead with less than five minutes remaining, but it didn't last long as Anthony, <span>Tyson Chandler</span> and the Knicks' pressuring defense led a 10-2 run to close the game.</p>
<p>Let's not sugarcoat things: the Bucks looked completely out of sorts through 24 minutes. The Knicks' defensive pressure prevented the Bucks from getting into their sets quickly, players shot at will regardless of clock situation or defender proximity, and the paint was regularly vacated on defense. It looked like nobody was really sure what they were supposed to do or where they were supposed to be, and the Knicks took advantage with a pile of transition points off Milwaukee's 15 first half turnovers.</p>
<p>Unfortunately injuries were once again a key part of the story for Milwaukee. Brandon Knight went down with a strained hamstring less than two minutes into the game, remaining on the ground for a few moments grabbing his leg before hobbling to the locker room. On any usual night <span>Luke Ridnour</span> would have stepped right in, but he was ruled out shortly before gametime with back spasms. That left <span>Nate Wolters</span> and Gary Neal to man the point with decidedly mixed results. Wolters in particular struggled to orchestrate any consistent offensive attack in the early going, but he settled down in the second half and was a key part of the Bucks' big comeback despite struggling from the field (3/12, 9 pts, 4 ast, 2 to).</p>
<p>After their disastrous first half, Milwaukee got things under control on offense to begin chipping away at the deficit early in the third. The ball started moving more deliberately, putting the Knicks' defense off balance and setting up more open spot-up looks (though there were still far too many mid-range jumpers). The Knicks also did their part to let Milwaukee back in the game, committing some uncharacteristic turnovers and missing a lot of interior shots while easing up on the defense that troubled the Bucks so greatly in the first half.</p>
<p>The Knicks' lead was trimmed to 74-64 by the end of the third, and the Bucks continued to capitalize on Knick mistakes in the fourth. Caron Butler's three pointer improbably tied the game at 80 with 4:39 to play, and <span>John Henson</span> went 1-2 at the line a few moments later to give Milwaukee a one-point lead. The Bucks even had a chance to extend their lead on a breakout shortly thereafter, but Butler was called for a debatable offensive foul trying to shield off a Knick defender when a layup seemed more likely. The Knicks then picked up their defensive pressure in the final minutes, forcing a pair of turnovers and allowing only three more shot attempts by the Bucks, one of which was blocked by Tyson Chandler.</p>
<p>While Pachulia might have been the Bucks' best player, <span>Larry Sanders</span> played only 12 minutes due to foul trouble, missing all three of his shot attempts and committing two turnovers. The news was better for Ersan Ilyasova, who came off the bench to hit 5/6 shots and finish with 10 points and three steals in 20 minutes. Rookie <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span> played just five first half minutes due to fouls as well, scoring his first NBA point on a free throw after drawing a fast break foul.</p>
<p>The Bucks have a day off before visiting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> on Friday and then returning to Milwaukee for the home opener on Saturday night.</p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/30/5049090/knicks-bucks-final-score-recap-carmelo-anthony-brandon-knight-injuryDan Sinclair2013-10-30T11:00:00-05:002013-10-30T11:00:00-05:00Game Thread + Preview | Bucks/Knicks Live!
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<figcaption>Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A week after downing the Knicks in Green Bay, the Bucks head to MSG to play their first game that actually counts. And with Brandon Knight, Caron Butler and possibly Ersan Ilyasova back in the lineup, they're getting healthy just in time.</p> <table cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm A', 'Gotham Narrow SSm B', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; border: 1px outset #aaaaaa; width: 620px; margin: 1em auto; padding: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><tbody style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;">2013/14 NBA Season</th>
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<td width="240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><center style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><center style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> <center style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="Mil_medium" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/579505/mil_medium.png" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></center> <center style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">(0-0, 0-0 road)</b></center> </center></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;">vs.</th>
<td width="240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><center style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> <center style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1320709/NYK.v3bf164b.png" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #040e07; font-weight: bold; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm A', 'Gotham Narrow SSm B', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px; background-color: #ffffff;"><img alt="Nyk" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1320709/NYK.v3bf164b_medium.png" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; max-width: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></a></center> <center style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">(0-0, 0-0 home)</b></center> </center></td>
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<td bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">October 30, 2013</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Madison Square Garden | New York, NY</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">6:30 CT</b></td>
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<b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">FS Wisconsin / MSG | 620 WTMJ / </b><a href="http://www.nba.us/broadband/alp_schedule.html" target="_blank" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0e371c; font-weight: bold;">Audio League Pass</a>
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">Probable Starters</b></th>
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<tr style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">
<td width="240" align="right" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span>Brandon Knight</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;">PG</th>
<td width="240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b><span>Pablo Prigioni</span></b></td>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span>O.J. Mayo</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;">SG</th>
<td width="240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b><span>Raymond Felton</span></b></td>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b><span>Khris Middleton</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;">SF</th>
<td width="240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span>Iman Shumpert</span></b></td>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span>Caron Butler</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;">PF</th>
<td width="240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span>Carmelo Anthony</span></b></td>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span>Larry Sanders</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;">C</th>
<td width="240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span>Tyson Chandler</span></b></td>
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">2012/13 Advanced Stats</b></th>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><span>94.7 (3rd)</span></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;">Pace</th>
<td width="240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><span>89.8 (26th)</span></td>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><span>103.6 (22nd)</span></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;">ORtg</th>
<td width="240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><span>111.1 (3rd)</span></td>
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<td width="240" align="right" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><span>105.2 (12th)</span></td>
<th width="20" align="center" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;">DRtg</th>
<td width="240" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 3px; border: 1px inset #aaaaaa; margin: 0px;"><span>106.3 (17th)</span></td>
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<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><span><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Linkage</b>: </span><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24.875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;"><a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/" target="_blank" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #040e07;">Posting And Toasting</a> | <a href="http://knickerblogger.net/" target="_blank" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #040e07;">Knickerblogger</a> | <a href="http://www.bucketsoverbroadway.com/" target="_blank" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #040e07;">Buckets Over Broadway</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/gamenotes/bucks.pdf" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0e371c;">Bucks Game Notes</a> | </b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/gamenotes/knicks.pdf" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0e371c; font-weight: bold;">Knicks Game Notes</a></p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><b>Starting fives</b>. Both teams roll into their season opener with uncertainty in their starting fives: the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a> because of injury (is <span>Ersan Ilyasova</span> healthy enough to start?), the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> because of <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/28/5037058/ersan-ilyasova-injury-larry-sanders-temper-season-opener">Mike Woodson's lineup tinkering</a>.</p>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><i>UPDATE: <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jsonline.com%2Fblogs%2Fsports%2F229895991.html&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brewhoop.com%2F2013%2F10%2F30%2F5044956%2Fbucks-vs-knicks-opener-preview-tv-ersan-ilyasova-carmelo-anthony" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Butler and Middleton will start at the forward spots</a> while Ilyasova is likely to be available for limited minutes. Knicks PR says the Knicks will go small in the backcourt with Pablo Prigioni joining Felton and Iman Shumpert sliding to small forward. Metta World Peace and Andrea Bargnani will both come off the bench.</i></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Starters for tonight vs. Milwaukee: Felton, Prigioni, Shumpert, Anthony, Chandler</p>
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/NY_KnicksPR/statuses/395667355982106625">October 30, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;">Though Woodson preferred <span>Andrea Bargnani</span> at the 4 spot through most of the preseason, rumblings following today's practice suggested <a target="_blank" href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2013/10/29/5043076/knicks-lineups-tuesday-practice-mike-woodson">Carmelo Anthony would return to the starting power forward position he occupied for most of last season, with Metta World Peace likely to start alongside him at the other forward spot</a>. Our bud Seth Rosenthal from Posting & Toasting is down with that:</p>
<blockquote>
<p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;">We didn't get to see all that much of it in preseason, but the idea of a Metta-Melo-Tyson frontcourt makes a whole lot of sense to me, and I hope that grouping gets the lion's share of minutes. The "three" and "four" stuff with Melo doesn't matter at all. What matters is that World Peace can hit open threes well enough to space the floor and defend well enough to ease Melo's burden on the other end. (And if it's a two-point guard lineup without Metta, well, we've seen that work just fine). The Knicks will find a place for Andrea Bargnani, but for the time being, the first unit doesn't appear to be it.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.foxsportswisconsin.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/story/Ersan-Ilyasova-practices-again-status-fo?blockID=955777&feedID=5066" target="_blank">Ilyasova went full speed during Tuesday's workout</a> but is listed as questionable for the opener and would likely see limited minutes even if he is deemed fit to play. We've penciled Khris Middleton and Caron Butler in as the starting forwards until further notice, though Drew did indicate on Tuesday that Butler would likely play more of the 4-spot in that lineup with Middleton at the three. <a href="http://www.foxsportswisconsin.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/story/Ersan-Ilyasova-practices-again-status-fo?blockID=955777&feedID=5066" target="_blank">Andrew Gruman reports</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"My mind likes it, my body is trying to get used to it banging with the bigger guys," Butler said of playing power forward. "I think it's fun. It's a style and direction the NBA is heading toward -- more smaller, fast-pace basketball. It's fun to play that way, and we have had success playing it. I'm going to look forward to playing a lot of four periodically throughout the season."</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Themes.</b> We still know relatively little about how all the Bucks' pieces will fit together this season, but some topics are more obvious than others heading into game one:</p>
<ul>
<li>Can the new, perimeter-focused Bucks keep up with the Knicks' bombs away approach to offense? Milwaukee finished 9th in the league with just over 20 three-pointers attempted per game last season, but New York averaged a league-leading 29 per game and finished fifth in percentage to boot. Steve's already gone into detail about <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/27/5036890/building-bucks-offense-spot-up-shooters">why the Bucks will need to look more like the Knicks this year in terms of shot selection</a>, and the results speak for themselves: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/bucks/features/boeder-130819">8 of the top 9 teams in three point attempts last year made the playoffs</a>. But without a dominant wing or post option to draw defensive attention, can Milwaukee create enough open looks to follow suit?</li>
<li>Anthony is likely to get his 20+ points no matter what the Bucks do, so the goal should be making him work for his points and earn his money on long twos rather than shots at the basket and from the foul line. The challenge is that Melo was money from outside the paint last year (43% long twos, 38% threes), though he also took <a target="_blank" href="http://hoopdata.com/shotstats.aspx">more long jumpers than anyone other than Steph Curry</a> (12.6 shots from 16+ feet vs. Melo's 11.6). <br><br>With Luc Mbah a Moute and <span>Marquis Daniels</span> gone, the Bucks no longer have anyone remotely in the "stopper" category, so we'll get a look at what Butler, Middleton and possibly <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span> can muster against Anthony. The Bucks also showed a fair bit of zone in Green Bay a week ago, so we'll have to see if <span>Larry Drew</span> liked what he saw enough to try it some more.</li>
<li>Antetokounmpo will likely be the only small forward available to Larry Drew off the bench, so my guess is that he'll end up making his NBA debut at some point on Wednesday. But unless Middleton or Butler run into serious foul trouble (always a possibility with Melo involved), I'd be (pleasantly) surprised to see Giannis play more than 10-12 minutes.</li>
<li>The Bucks should try to run against every opponent, but the Knicks aren't the easiest team to do it against. New York was among the league's slower teams in terms of pace, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/opponent-fastbreak-points-per-game?date=2013-06-20">ranked fourth in terms of preventing opponent fast break points</a> (11.7 ppg). The plus side? <a target="_blank" href="http://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/fastbreak-points-per-game?date=2013-06-20">No team scored fewer points in transition</a> last season either (8.5 ppg).</li>
<li>O.J. Mayo is everyone's best bet to lead the Bucks in scoring this season, so I'll guess that he does it in game one, too--especially with Ilyasova short of 100%. He played a complete game against the Knicks in Green Bay, so here's to hoping he can muster an encore under the decidedly brighter lights at MSG.</li>
</ul>
<div>For your in-game viewing pleasure, we've assembled the Twitter stream below to complement the game-thread discussion:</div>
<div><br></div>
<p><a class="twitter-timeline" href="https://twitter.com/ericbuenning/bucks-at-knicks" data-widget-id="395675034330464256">Tweets from @ericbuenning/bucks-at-knicks</a></p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/30/5044956/bucks-vs-knicks-opener-preview-tv-ersan-ilyasova-carmelo-anthonyFrank Madden2013-10-30T10:12:18-05:002013-10-30T10:12:18-05:00Bucks vs. Knicks Preview: Speed Dating!
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fM6oI5C3ioxDrlw35OAB5-KuiTo=/0x250:4000x2917/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22047339/20131023_kkt_bl1_192.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>How can you beat the opponent more effectively? You've got to get inside their minds. And what better way to get inside someone's mind than speed dating?</p> <p>Like any team preparing itself for battle, studying up on your opponent and getting prepared for anything they throw at you is a must. Heck, the National <strike>Concussion Circus</strike> Football League has an entire practice squad dedicated to mimicry of the opponent's strategy. The more you understand your opponent, the more likely you are to succeed.</p>
<p>The question is, how do you get to know your opponent so well? Is it through hours of watching game film or reading lengthy scouting reports? Perhaps, but that isn't all of it. There has to be some other method of getting to know someone, say, on a personal level out there.</p>
<p>How about the refined art of speed dating?</p>
<p>SUCCESS! We shall speed date the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a>! We had SB Nation contributor and <a href="http://www.postingandtoasting.com/" target="_blank">Posting and Toasting</a> editor Seth Rosenthal answer some common speed dating questions in regards to the Knicks. Hopefully this will allow for the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a> to understand their opponent more thoroughly and pave the way for TOTAL BASKETBALL DOMINATION.</p>
<h5>
<b>1)</b> What do you do for work?</h5>
<p><span>CAA</span></p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">2)</b><span> Where are you from? </span>
</h5>
<p>New York!</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">3)</b><span> What is the one thing about yourself that you would like me to know? (Team summary)</span>
</h5>
<p>The rest of the East improved, and maybe we did, too! We lost some old guys via retirement and are down two great shooters in <span>Steve Novak</span> and <span>Chris Copeland</span>, but <span>Beno Udrih</span>, <span>Metta World Peace</span>, and <span>Andrea Bargnani</span> should be valuable contributors if used properly.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">4)</b><span> When was your last relationship and how long did it last? (How did last season end up for you?)</span>
</h5>
<p>Well, it was the longest-lasting relationship we've had in a while. Our regular season went remarkably smoothly despite some bumps and bruises along the way. We even got out of a first-round series against the hated <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Celtics</a> despite a scary rough patch that made it competitive for a second. Things fell apart when we met the <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pacers</a> and a combination of a bad match-up, injuries, and poor rotation management sunk us against a top defensive team.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">5)</b><span> What are you looking for in a relationship? (Do you think you'll be good peoples this season? How do you think you'll do?)</span>
</h5>
<p>Just looking to beat the last one. We've retooled with that sad ending in mind, and we'd like to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. It'll be tough. Probably tougher than it would have been last year.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">6)</b><span> What do you think is the most important value in a relationship? (Who or what is going to be the driving force behind that goal?)</span>
</h5>
<p>Health. It's always health.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">7 ) </b><span>Do you want to marry or have you ever been married? (Do you have a shot at winning the title?)</span>
</h5>
<p>We say we do, but things are pretty stacked against us.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">8)</b><span> Do you want/do you have any children? (Do you have/how are your young players?)</span>
</h5>
<p>Just a few. <span>Iman Shumpert</span> is the most beloved son, though we worry our malevolent godfather has some vendetta against him and wants him disowned. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Toure' Murry are the new kids in the family, and they both seem like they could turn into productive gentlemen someday.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">9)</b><span> What do you do for fun? (Most exciting thing about the team?)</span>
</h5>
<p>Shoot threes constantly. So many threes. A record-setting number of threes.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">10)</b><span> What are you most proud about? (strengths of your team)</span>
</h5>
<p>We're pretty deep-- almost too deep-- and we feel healthier and more balanced than we did going into our last relationship. The injury list is much shorter this October, and we're taking measure to make sure guys like Amar'e Stoudemire and <span>Kenyon Martin</span> don't end up back on it. And while it's hard to imagine us offering as much in the way offense as we did last year, perhaps we can balance that by giving more minutes to competent defensive players like Iman Shumpert and Metta World Peace.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">11)</b><span> Is religion important to you? (Which player is the most demigod-like? A.k.a, who's everyone talking about?)</span>
</h5>
<p>Yes. We worship at the altar of Shump. If the Knicks have a secret wild card that propel them back toward the top of the Eastern Conference, it is their one young person with two-way star potential. We will follow Shump to salvation or we will perish.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">12)</b><span> Do you follow politics? (What's a team issue that folks are split on?)</span>
</h5>
<p>Yes, we get political. We bicker over the merits of the Andrea Bargnani acquisition and what type of role he should play. That leads to even more arguments about whether <span>Mike Woodson</span> should stick to the small, spread-out units he stumbled into with much success last season. We almost unanimously agree that <span>Chris Smith</span> joining the roster was a hideous bit of nepotism, but we know that's just how things work in New York.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">13)</b><span> Do you believe in love at first sight? *(...Do you (Seth)?)</span>
</h5>
<p>Love? No.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">14)</b><span> What is your most treasured possession and why? (Who is one player on your team you'd never want traded ever ever ever ever?)</span>
</h5>
<p>Shumpert. He's not the best player on the team and he may not pan out as expected, but he's the rare young player the Knicks drafted themselves, and it'd be really nice to see them develop someone for once.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">15)</b><span> Which is your favorite book/movie? (Compare team mindset to a book/movie, if you can)</span>
</h5>
<p>Yeah I dunno.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">16)</b><span> Where do you see yourself in five years time? (team forecast)</span>
</h5>
<p>Probably with a wildly different roster. The main question is whether <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> is still at its center.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">17)</b><span> Do you believe a cup is half empty or half full? Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Are you yeh!, meh, or bleh on this team?</span>
</h5>
<p>Half full! I see a lot of potential in this roster, and I maintain faith that Mike Woodson can figure out what's best for them.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">18)</b><span> If you could travel back through time, what single mistake would you correct in life? (what, from last year's team, are you hoping improves this season?)</span>
</h5>
<p>If you find an identity and it works, stick with that identity. Last season, the Knicks fell to the Pacers in part because they tried to emulate the Pacers. They must stay true to themselves, and hopefully a younger and deeper roster will permit such.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">19)</b><span> You have got six months to live, what will you do first? (One player you think could get dealt to/from your team this season)</span>
</h5>
<p>A big person who can shoot threes and at least contest some shots down low would be awesome. Like a non-depleted version of last year's <span>Rasheed Wallace</span>. I dunno...<span>Channing Frye</span>?</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">20)</b><span> If you won a lottery, how would you spend your millions?</span>
</h5>
<p>Overpay a few people, then hand out savvy little minimum contracts to lots more people. Also SKYBRIDGES.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">21)</b><span> Which was the first crush you ever had? (Who is the favorite on the team?)</span>
</h5>
<p>Pablo <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">22)</b><span> Describe your perfect holiday. (Ideal season for the team. What would it look like?)</span>
</h5>
<p>A championship with big wins against some combination of the Pacers, <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bulls</a>, <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Heat</a>, and <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nets</a> along the way. Perfect health for the established guys. Steps forward for the few developing guys. Carmelo Anthony opting out and taking a pay cut on his next contract. Lots of tasty cookies and juices.</p>
<h5>
<b style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">23)</b><span> What is the last CD you bought? (Just curious.)</span>
</h5>
<p><span>I bought Lord Willin' at a record store in DC four years ago.</span></p>
<p>For our answers about the Bucks to these same questions, visit Posting and Toasting.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>More from Brew Hoop:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/30/5044692/milwaukee-bucks-season-preview-jennings-antetokounmpo?utm_source=brewhoop&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Searching for the Next Bucks Sensation</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/30/5044956/bucks-vs-knicks-opener-preview-tv-ersan-ilyasova-carmelo-anthony?utm_source=brewhoop&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Bucks vs. Knicks Preview | Milwaukee getting healthy as season opens against Carmelo Anthony & Co. in New York</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/28/5037058/ersan-ilyasova-injury-larry-sanders-temper-season-opener?utm_source=brewhoop&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Ersan Ilyasova returns to practice, Hammond talks core, Larry Sanders works on his temper, Bucks look for new floor solutions</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/27/5036890/building-bucks-offense-spot-up-shooters?utm_source=brewhoop&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Building the Bucks Offense, Pt. 5: Leaning on Spot-Up Sharpshooters</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/25/5030106/bucks-vs-raptors-gameday-play-at-your-own-risk?utm_source=brewhoop&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Bucks vs. Raptors Gameday | Play at your own risk</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/30/5046418/bucks-vs-knicks-preview-speed-dateInactiveUser10831872013-10-30T08:00:13-05:002013-10-30T08:00:13-05:00Searching for the Next Sensation
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pnndTTIbhtpKCV33gAkcOkkR7NA=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22026057/20131023_kkt_bl1_195.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A new season of Milwaukee Bucks basketball is here, and it brings more uncertainty than we've seen in years. Who will capture our attention this year?</p> <p>Four years ago tonight, <span>Brandon Jennings</span> made his regular season debut for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> in Philadelphia. It was an unheralded matchup between a Sixers team coming off a shellacking from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> and the woefully-projected Bucks. Jennings and Co. may have walked out of the Wachovia Center losers, but Jennings left an immediate mark on Milwaukee fans and the league as a whole. 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in his first real game <i>ever. </i>The following night Jennings scored 24 points in Milwaukee's home-opening win against Detroit. He dropped 25 three nights later. The next week he had 32 points and 9 assists in a win versus the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets</a> before exploding for 55 points against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a>. This was the start of something special, we thought. This was the start of something sensational.</p>
<p>We'll probably never forget the first few weeks of that season, when Brandon Jennings established himself as a surefire superstar, the next <span>Allen Iverson</span> with the charisma to drag Milwaukee out of their mid-00's funk. Unfortunately, that was about as good as it ever got with Jennings (<a href="https://twitter.com/dan_sinclair/statuses/310776780699103233" target="_blank">though it came close last March</a>). He never failed to capture our attention (kidnap may be the better word), but it sadly proved a hollow pursuit. Jennings' four years in Milwaukee were ultimately a lot like the previous four: a lot of promising signs but little substance and even less progress.</p>
<p>Tonight's season opener marks the start of our search for the next sensation. Yes, the Bucks will be concerned with player rotations, play style, and (presumably) winning the game, but everyone is on the lookout for the next superstar-in-waiting. One game is all it takes to make an impression. But small sample sizes, you know? We haven't learned, and we don't want to.</p>
<p>These Bucks are formed of many more known quantities than past years. They'll be built around a tough defense anchored by <i>de facto</i> team leader Larry Sanders. Their shooting <i>efficiency</i> should be much improved, but shot <i>creation </i>and turnover issues could be persistent problems. Do we have them figured out? Are they doomed to follow the same script as last year only with a different cast of characters?</p>
<p>Tonight, that franchise-defining question might finally, mercifully, get pushed aside. Maybe it's still the most important issue in play, but it's definitely the most annoying. Flipping out when <span>Brandon Knight</span> dishes 13 assists and <span>O.J. Mayo</span> scores 27 points, proving that both guys are making perfectly-timed leaps, is a lot more fun. So is wondering if <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span> can become the first teenager to record a triple-double in NBA history after he puts up some 9/8/4 line. That's the stuff we're all starved for, the only thing that can make us forget mediocrity and <span>Tobias Harris</span> and arena taxes.</p>
<p>Nothing like Jennings' early run is ever <i>likely</i> to happen, which is part of what makes it so fun. A few preseason games got us all excited about stuff like Giannis' ability to contribute this season and Khris Middleton's potential as a useful rotation player. Now that things count for real, everything gets amplified, including on our end. One game is all it takes to erase bad memories. Legends are born overnight. Then we hold on to them as long as we can until it all inevitably falls apart or we achieve eternal glory.</p>
<p>I'm ready. We're all ready. Let's do it.</p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/10/30/5044692/milwaukee-bucks-season-preview-jennings-antetokounmpoDan Sinclair