A reliable backup center would be nice for the Milwaukee Bucks. Not nice like Brandon Jennings finishing at the rim somewhere near 50 percent nice or another 3-point shooter who converts at more than 37 percent nice, but it’d still be a pretty chill thing for the Bucks to get. It’s consensus. Another consensus: the options aren’t that appetizing. You say: “But Ian, it’s just a backup, they’re not supposed to be good.” Well I’m a fan of a football team whose backup quarterback often doubles as the second best quarterback in the league, so excuse me for having standards (Matt Flynn and Doug Pederson Forever!).

That said, here are some seemingly logical options, either because of their previous work under John Hammond, who seems to favor such guys, or rumors that the Bucks have had discussions with them.

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Recap/Box Score/Enemy

Get familiar.

Okay, so maybe you’re not a Clinton Sparks fan.  That’s fine.  There are other ways to “get familiar.”

The Milwaukee Bucks finally looked like they had gotten familiar with each other Friday night against the Houston Rockets in their 97-91 victory.  Better yet, they re-familiarized themselves with each other.  A team that had looked so lost offensively for so long this season, finally resembled the cohesive group that shared the ball and scored inside and out last February.

As they often were last season, Milwaukee was led Friday night by the inside/out duo of Andrew Bogut and John Salmons. Bogut destroyed the Rockets front court trio of Chuck Hayes, Jordan Hill and Brad Miller and Salmons was able to play off his big man effectively.  Bogut tallied a monstrous 24 point, 22 rebound evening while hitting on 11 of 20 shots and Salmons filled in the gaps, scoring 17 points (7-12 FG 1-1 3FG 2-4 FT), dishing five assists and grabbing six rebounds.  Often in Bucks losses this season, either Bogut or Salmons and often both have left something to be desired offensively.  Friday night, they carried the load late for Milwaukee.

Bogut and Salmons combined for 26 of Milwaukee’s 50 second half points.  Bogut in particular had second half numbers that many centers would love to have for an entire game (15 points, 12 rebounds).  This may have been a sign that the chemistry between the two is returning.

“Right before Bogues got hurt last year, I feel me and him really got into a rhythm playing with each other,” Salmons said after the game.  “And I feel like today we had a similar feel.  He’s like … he’s a monster out there right now.”

So long as that monster is around and Salmons reminds the world how he earned the extension he received this summer, the Bucks could continue this miniature upswing they are on.  And then things will begin to feel really familiar. Read more…

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 24-27

vs.

Houston Rockets (Rick Adelman) 27-25

Date: 2/17/2010

Time: 7:00 PM (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin

Matchups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Aaron Brooks

Brooks was getting a little bit of buzz as a potential all-star, but that probably had more to do with his team’s surprising record that his all-star like play.  In fact, I’d argue that while Jennings hasn’t shot the ball very well this year, he’s having a better season than Brooks in most regards.  Jennings has a better assist rate (30.9-23.8) and lower turnover rate (12.6-13.8) while using more possessions (26.9-25.6).  Both have limitations defensively, but Jennings has a better overall defensive rating as well.  What really favors Jennings is that he plays a lot of his minutes with Delfino, Mbah a Moute and Bogut, or the Bucks three best defenders.  Brooks limitations are similarly kept in check with Battier, Hayes and Ariza often surrounding him.  As I write this I get the feeling that these teams are much more similar than I realized before, with a few noticeable exceptions.

Advantage: Bucks Read more…