(Bad game gets a bad recap from me. Typically strong work is being done elsewhere though. I instead chose to take a look at the current big picture situation for the Bucks, here.)
Here’s my take of the Bucks-Spurs game:
- Final score: Spurs 112 – Bucks 97
- Everything the Spurs do well, they did well. The Bucks had no answers for any of the Spurs strengths. Marcus Haislip hit a three by the way. He also blocked a shot.
- The Bucks were unable to connect on many shots in the paint and allowed the Spurs to connect on virtually EVERY shot in the paint.
- This was essentially a repeat of the Wizards game except it was over much, much quicker.
- Luc Richard Mbah a Moute didn’t play in the first half, even though the Bucks were getting manhandled.
Scott Skiles take on getting the Bucks mindset back confident:
This close after a loss? To be honest (Charles) I don’t have any idea. I don’t have one clue.
No one does.
San Antonio Spurs (Greg Popovich) 15-11
(Probable) Inactives: Matt Bonner, Michael Finley and Marcus Haislip
at
Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 12-15
(Probable) Inactives: Joe Alexander, Dan Gadzuric and Roko Ukic
Date: 12/26/2009
Time: 7:30 (CST)
TV: FS Wisconsin
Match-Ups
Point Guard
Brandon Jennings vs. Tony Parker
Parker has made a career out of blowing by defenders and finishing at the rim or in the paint. Jennings has shown the ability to do the first part of that, but hasn’t quite mastered the second half. Jennings is finishing on only 46 percent of his shots at the rim, whereas Parker has consistently finished between 64 and 65 percent of his over the past four years. But it wasn’t always so easy for Parker. He never approached 50 percent on overall shooting until his fourth season and, while I don’t have the numbers, it’s unlikely he was as successful at the rim early in his career either. The NBA paint is a tough place for smaller players, especially younger ones. But with development and smarts they can evolve, as Parker has.
Advantage: Spurs Read more…
It’s hard to tell what was a more desperate scene: the Bucks launching three-point shots as time ticked away on their 109-97 loss to Washington or those in attendance attempting to navigate on the snowy Milwaukee streets after the game.
Neither was pretty, but both made me think about some things.
- I hate snow.
- I don’t want to return to 2007
You remember 2007, right? That was the year Charlie Bell and Michael Redd combined to average 31 shot attempts each and every night. Mo Williams often paired with these two to form one of the worst defensive backcourts in recent Bucks memory. Needless to say, the Bucks lost a whole lot more than they won in 2006-07. But I had been comfortably assuming for most of this year that those days were a distant memory.
Wednesday night served as some kind of horrific flashback though Read more…
Washington Wizards (Flip Saunders) 9-17
(Probable) Inactives: Jaravis Crittenton, Mike James and Mike Miller
at
Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 12-14
(Probable) Inactives: Joe Alexander, Dan Gadzuric and Roko Ukic
Date: 12/23/2009
Time: 7:00 (CST)
TV: FS Wisconsin
Match-Ups
Point Guard
Brandon Jennings vs. Gilbert Arenas
Lost in the free throw madness Monday was Brandon Jennings’ lone miss. It was his first miss in 29 attempts, unheard of for this Milwaukee Bucks team. When it comes to free throw shooting for this team, Jennings is like a rose growing out of cracked cement. Arenas may finally be coming back on, he’s scored over 30 points in three of his past four games, including 45 against Golden State. But we know about Golden State’s defense. Being in company with Gil is not as illustrious as it used to be, but it’s still pretty cool for Jennings. Of course, Jennings has upped his assists and tried involving teammates more since his fast start, but I’d expect both of these guards to get their shots in tonight.
Advantage: Wizards Read more…
Scott Skiles had to laugh, probably to keep himself from crying, but maybe to keep himself from running on the court and launching an impromptu tutorial on how to properly shoot a free throw. After all, we’re talking about a guy who was an 88.9 percent free throw shooter for his career.
So the 0-7 finish the Bucks had at the free throw line Monday night was properly particularly devastating for their coach to watch.
And it’s unfortunate that the once again unacceptable free throw shooting takes away from the positives that this game brought. Andrew Bogut had the best game of his career, dominating Roy Hibbert and everyone else the Pacers threw at him en route to 31 points and 18 rebounds. And Bogut was able to cede control of the ending to Brandon Jennings, who had another frigid looking shooting night at 7-19, but hit a three and fall-away jumper in the last two minutes that helped give the Bucks just enough breathing room.
And that’s how everyone envisions the Bucks being successful, ride Andrew Bogut relentlessly all game and then let Jennings handle the ball and make plays in the fourth quarter, it’s the perfect big man/little man set up. And for one night the Bucks had it going.
And still, Milwaukee almost blew the game.
Sigh. Read more…
