Sitting with a ice on his sprained wrist, on both of his knees and in the bucket containing his soaking feet, Gooden spoke after the game like a man defeated. His tone was hushed as he shrugged off any injuries he’s feeling the effects of as commonalities for every player this time of year. He sat for the majority of the fourth quarter Wednesday after another difficult night playing against a physical center in Chris Kaman.

Jennings talked about the team’s lack of passion at the moment after he continued his recent stretch of difficult games. It looked like he tried to flip the switch late in the game when the Bucks had an opportunity to take hold of the game, but I’m not sure there’s a switch to be flipped. Shots he hit with ease earlier this season suddenly look impossible. Layups he was making are rimming out. The swag he had has been sucked out of him.

A man scorned is capable of anything. If Jackson is truly unhappy and ready to move on, he could very easily shoot every time he gains possession and force offense for himself if he’s unhappy with the play calling. Sometimes he does force the issue. Wednesday he didn’t. He looked to pass often and should have had a few more assists on easy looks his teammates blew. Credit him with a steady, if unspectacular, night.

Things were really going well for Ersan most of the game. He had his fire, he was keeping possessions alive and he was scoring more than usual. Then he got a pass late in the fourth quarter about three feet from the hoop and he pump faked with no one near him. Knowing he HAD to shoot the shot, he quickly got one up with a defender fast approaching. He left it short. He went on to miss a layup with Kaman contesting him hard with Milwaukee down two and less than a minute to play. Suddenly, the previous 30 minutes seemed less important.

If nothing else,, Leuer provided a late game spark. A lineup with either he or Ilyasova at center probaly isn’t a recipe for long term success, as Kaman’s late game tip offensive rebound would indicate, but it largely worked on Wednesday. If this team truly lacks passion, it’s guys like Leuer who should be seeing more minutes, defensive limitations aside. At least lose with guys who put it out there.