(We’re counting down the best 20 Bucks since 1991 over the next few weeks. It’s something to do with the lockout sucking the life out of NBA fans. We continue with number 15. Charlie Villanueva. Often frustrating but occasionally scintillating, Villanueva was an easy scapegoat on poorly constructed teams. But he had some nice moments. – Jeremy)
During the 2005-06 season, the Milwaukee Bucks won 40 games. The team would not best that total again until the 09-10 campaign when they won 46. The three seasons in between featured win totals of 28, 26 and 34 games. Those three down years constituted the Charlie Villanueva era.
Villanueva was acquired during the summer of 2006 to serve as a complement to fellow second year player Andrew Bogut. CV was supposed to stretch defenses with a potent outside shot and team with Bogut to form one of the better passing front courts in the NBA . That was the plan at least. Unfortunately, the best laid plans of Larry Harris and Herb Kohl often went awry.
As was the case with most moves made my Harris, I was initially overjoyed when I found out Villanueva was coming to the Bucks for TJ Ford. In fact, I can vividly recall enthusiastically giving my buddy a few too many high fives after getting a text message alerting me of the news. We had just graduated high school and were visiting some friendly girls from a neighboring town. I began the night with hopes of drinking a few pops and maybe swapping some spit. I ended the night with a black eye and the knowledge to always check on the availability of said friendly girls before saying or doing certain things frowned upon in Sunday School.
As it turned out, my forgettable night proved to be the perfect parallel to Villanueva’s career as a Buck.
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I was out of town this past weekend, so I didn’t catch Friday night’s Bucks-Pistons game or Saturday night’s Bucks-Cavs game. Even when I’m away, I try and keep an eye and a half on the game, just in case something major happens. I hate missing games entirely, especially home games. There’s always that chance something really cool might happen, something that makes you say, “Ah, I wish I saw that.”
Especially in April.
In meaningless April games, the court becomes wet with opportunity. Rookies who typically wouldn’t be playing find themselves thrust into action, given a chance to show what they can do and veterans get the opportunity to either rest or work on parts of their games that they don’t showcase all year. More importantly, guys get to gun for stats.
If a player gets even a whiff that he may be able to do something cool, you better believe he’s going to try and make it happen in April. For everyone saying these games are meaningless, you’re half right. In the grand scheme of things, yes, they are. But in the small picture, they are huge opportunities for players to do outrageous things.
Being a Bucks fan has taught us that much.
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Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 9-8
(Probable) Inactives: Michael Redd, Joe Alexander and Francisco Elson
at
Detroit Pistons (Jon Kuester) 6-12
(Probable) Inactives: Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton
Date: 12/4/09
Time: 7:00 (CST)
TV: FS Wisconsin
Match-ups
Point Guard
Brandon Jennings vs. Chucky Atkins (!?)
These are like the grandfathers to the 2000 Pistons. Chucky Atkins? Ben Wallace? Atkins has been bumped into the lineup over the last couple games as a way to get Rodney Stuckey some time at the two, apparently as a method of sustaining his energy. Atkins is more a pure point guard than Stuckey or backup Will Bynum. He’s mainly in that crappy starter who gives you less than 20 minutes of non-terrible defense role. The Royal Ivey Memorial Starter if you will. At any rate, Jennings may be able to get some good looks early if he chooses. Jennings typically looks to get Bogut involved early in games though, so that may not really pay off. By the time BJ usually starts to look to get off, Atkins will be on the bench. Atkins isn’t any kind of threat on offense though, so at least BJ won’t get burned while he’s in.
Advantage: Bucks Read more…
Point Guard
Brandon Jennings vs. Rodney Stuckey
To be polite, I’ll just describe Stuckey’s performance against the Bucks point guards in the pre-season as dominant. His size and strength posed an incredible challenge for both Jennings and Luke Ridnour. Stuckey is not a very good outside shooter, but is very adept at finishing in the lane. Through two games Stuckey has attempted 14 free throws and will surely be looking to attack Jennings. Jennings had a very strong opening game against the Sixers, but it will be important for him not to fall in love with the three point shot. He was 2-5 Friday, but ultimately, he’ll have more success getting in the paint and dishing to the Bucks big men.
Advantage: Pistons Read more…
It’s easy to slam the Bucks past off-season.
Richard Jefferson was a big name, possibly a bigger name than Michael Redd. Jefferson led the Bucks in virtually every important offensive category last season. Jefferson has loads of playoff experience, a tendency to get to the free throw line and convert and as much athleticism as nearly anyone on the team. RJ has been a twenty point a night scorer (or thereabouts) for nearly his whole career, and the Bucks look to be short on scoring. He even had his own series of Time Warner Cable Triple Play commercials, after less than a year with the team. Read more…
