Recap/Box Score

And we have a new word for the glossary.

The Trap Game.

The trap game is simple.  Let’s say you have a team that’s been hot, really hot, like let’s say 15-2 over their last 17 games hot.  And there were some pretty good wins in that 15, like recent ones over Denver, in Denver nonetheless, and at home against a possible playoff opponent in Atlanta.  There are some tough games coming up too, like the one against another team fighting for playoff positioning in the conference.  But there’s a game before the schedule toughens up.  A game against a team languishing near the bottom of the conference, a team that hasn’t performed up to expectations and is caught in some sort of purgatory, not super bad, but without much of a future.  They come out sluggish and look like they weren’t completely ready for this team and … they blow it.

That’s your trap game and that’s what happened to the Bucks Wednesday night against the Sixers.

Milwaukee had been coming out flat for the last few games, but typically clawed their way back into them and found a way to win.  In Sacramento it took overtime and a little bit of luck, but the Bucks kept it close enough to be lucky.  Against Atlanta, John Salmons got hot and carried the Bucks past the Hawks.  But there was no getting hot against Philadelphia, there was no keeping it close and there was no happy ending, just a disappointing loss that detracts from the impressive win in Denver last Saturday.  Beating the better teams means a lot more when a team takes care of business against the dregs of the league and the Bucks were unable to do that against Philly.

So, losing a trap game is an issue, but I took something else out of this one too, something that means much more.

Coming into the year, the Sixers were supposed to be a good team and it’s possible that’s the team that showed up tonight.  They’re athletic, they have good one on one players, they force turnovers and they’re a tough matchup for a lot of teams.  In short, they remind of me of the Hawks.  The switching on screens, the length all over and athletic front court were all problems for the Bucks offensively.  Sure, Milwaukee was passive going inside or driving to the hoop (see 5-28 3FG), but when they did get in it seemed like Philadelphia had defenders waiting, with length.

Jrue Holiday gave the Milwaukee point guards lots of problems on offense and defense and with his size and wingspan, he’s reminiscent of Joe Johnson, who took the challenge of guarding the Milwaukee point guards in the last two matchups.  Coach Scott Skiles was asked why his Bucks have had problems with the Sixers this year and he was quick to answer:

“They’re very athletic, they’re quicker than we are at some key spots and, you know, they get in some passing lanes, they’re disruptive and it’s bothered us.”

Sound like anyone you know?  Hint: they won Wednesday night. Read more…

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 39-30

Vs.

Philadelphia 76ers (Eddie Jordan) 24-47

Date: 3/24/2010
Time: 7:00 PM (CST)
TV: FS Wisconsin

Matchups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Jrue Holiday

And why wasn’t Holiday getting more minutes earlier this year?  Because the Sixers wanted to trot Lou Williams out there like a point guard and play lip-service to the deteriorated talent of Allen Iverson?  Ah, well that makes sense.  Few things puzzle me more than franchises refusing to give it a go with their first round picks.  I guess in the case of the Sixers, better late than never, because Holiday’s been very good over the last month.  In March, Holiday is averaging 13.5 points, five assists and four and half rebounds per game, while shooting nearly 50%.  All while playing defense that’s very advanced for his age.  Ah, his age.  He’s the youngest player in the league.  It’s becoming more clear why the Bucks gave him such consideration at number ten.  I’m still okay with how things worked out though.

Advantage: Bucks Read more…

A few notes from around the internet to get you through the day while you wait for the Bucks-Sixers this evening.

• Sebastian Pruti of NBA Playbook (and NetsAreScorching.com God bless him) takes a look at Andrew Bogut’s sick performance against the Mavs and simply asks (and answers) the question: How’d He Do That?

• More and more people seem to be taking note of Bogut’s improved play of late, including John Hollinger of ESPN.com.  In selecting his all-star reserves (INSIDER), Hollinger mentions Bogut as a good candidate for injury replacement should someone not be able to perform:

For the frontcourt, I’d endorse Bogut over Lopez, Horford and Jamison. He’s been the strongest defensive player of the bunch and still posted solid offensive numbers, making him a major factor in Milwaukee’s surprising push into playoff contention.

It’s always nice to see some mainstream love for the Bucks and Bogut’s play of late certainly deserves some love.

• The NBA released the rosters for this year’s Rookie Challenge and, to no one’s surprise,Brandon Jennings will be taking part.  Not taking part is Ersan Ilyasova who, despite okay looking numbers for a sophomore, simply can’t compete with a ridiculously stacked class.  Click the link and marvel at how tough that group is.

• Over at HoopsAddict.com Ryan McNeil talks to Luke Ridnour about those damn low top shoes he wears among other things.

• In another Insider column, David Thorpe writes about Jennings, his number three rookie.

I’m really high on him. I see him as an artist who is years away from his prime. And just like Picasso or Dali, he has to spend years refining his craft before coming of age.

• The Bucks will be having an auction to benefit Haiti at their game against Philadelphia tonight and Haitian native Samuel Dalembert will address the crowd.  Among things that will be auctioned are signed shoes and jerseys by Bucks players.

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 18-25

(Probable) Inactives: Joe Alexander, Michael Redd and Francisco Elson

Vs.

Philadelphia 76ers (Eddie Jordan) 15-29

(Probable) Inactives:  Primoz Brezec and Jason Kapono

Date: 1/27/2010

Game Time: 7:00 (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin

Match-Ups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Jrue Holiday

The guy the Bucks drafted versus the guy they thought about drafting.  It’s safe to say, that for this year the Bucks should be glad they went with Jennings.  Holiday is already a better defender than Jennings, but not the playmaker or shot-taker (and occasional shot-maker) that BJ is.  Holiday has only recently been given the keys to the car that is the starting line-up and is kind of taking on the “Royal Ivey Memorial Starting Point Guard” role.  He’s getting around 15 minutes, is expected to play defense, distribute the ball and not make mistakes.  It will be interesting to see if Jennings has a little extra pep in his step going at another rookie.

Advantage: Bucks Read more…