Quick Review:

The lockout is over, and the Bucks hope the off-season moves pay off.

Their are some questions that concern me;

Will the Stephan Jackson addition pay off?

Will we bring back Luc Richard Mbah a Moute?

Is this the year Brandon Jennings becomes a All-Star?

Who can pick up the scoring load?

Can Herb Kohl figure out the Bradley Center mess?

There are alot of questions to be answered this season.

This off-season the Bucks acquired some good talent in Stephan Jackson, Beno Udrih, Shaun Livingston and recently signed Mike Dunleavy Jr.  As we received this talent Bucks GM Hammond got rid of contracts of John Salmons and Corey Maggette after those moves didnt pan out.

With a 66 game season, Milwaukee hopes to get out of the gates quick. With training camp now opened, Coach Scott Skiles said his team showed up in good shape and condition.

Recent News: -Bucks send Guard Keyon Dooling to Boston for a 2nd rounder.

- Bucks sign Mike Dunleavy Jr. to a 2 year deal around 7 million.

Notes: Ersan Ilyasova returned to camp, while speculation was he was staying overseas. Sidney Moncrief is now alongside Scott Skiles on the Bucks bench, as the former Bucks Guard was hired as a Assistant. Drew Gooden has lost weight and added muscle, looks to have a breakout season. Rookie Jon Leuer has returned from a short stint playing overseas during the lockout.

Bucks open their season December 26th vs Charlotte.

Milwaukee, WI

With the NBA Draft approaching just days away, there is much speculation Milwaukee would deal their franchise player; Andrew Bogut. The rumor mills were full of speculation that Milwaukee would deal Andrew Bogut along with their No. 10 pick in the NBA Draft for Minnesota’s No. 2 pick Thursday.

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond denies these rumor’s saying there is “No Truth” to this Bogut deal. He also said Milwaukee hasn’t even talked with Minnesota about a deal.

Their are many questions in Milwaukee, dealing with the long-term health of Andrew Bogut, I wouldn’t be suprised if Milwaukee shook up the NBA this coming Thursday.

Also there are some reports saying Milwaukee is one of the few teams looking to deal their draft pick, if they couldn’t get a deal done, I see the Milwaukee Bucks taking shooting guard Alec Burks from Colorado or Klay Thompson from WSU.  Sacramento is high on Alec Burks also, I wouldn’t be suprised to see New York try to move up in the draft.

Notes: Milwaukee held workouts for Jon Leuer and Chris Singleton on Tuesday.

Milwaukee-

With the NBA trade deadline weeks away, Milwaukee hasn’t made such a splash in the Eastern Conference as most critics thought. The phrase “Fear the Deer”, isn’t as popular as it was last postseason. The Bucks are struggling to keep players healthy early on.

Carlos Delfino has struggled with a concussion that has kept him out in weeks. New acquisitions Drew Gooden and Corey Maggette haven’t been healthy all year, not to mention, stars like Brandon Jennings (foot) and Bogut missing random games due to the horrifying injury he had last season vs. New York.

Although a 14-23 record isn’t too eye appealing, the Bucks proved their a second half team; while looking to turn it around by all-star break.

I guess having the easiest schedule left after the all-star break will help out, not to mention get healthy.

The bigger news is Michael Redd should be ready to go mid-February. My main concern is for the Buck’s to get some value out of him. Get some talent for him as he becomes a free agent after this season.

Will the Buck’s make a move?

I guess we will see!

Milwaukee:

Milwaukee’s 6-11 start, tying Detroit for the last spot in the Central Division is not the start to the season many people expected. The chemistry still is not there with the new additions of the team this season.

Then again how can you build chemistry, when your not healthy?

CDR is back from his eye injury, missing Milwaukee’s first 15 games of the season. CDR had 19 points in a reserve roll with his second game with the Bucks this season. Milwaukee lacked sized last night in the loss in Utah. Milwaukee was without Bogut, Gooden, Delfino and Maggette.

Milwaukee needs to get healthy now, 5 games under .500 for the season isnt what the fans have expected in Milwaukee. They need atleast one of there big men back, so Rookie Larry Sanders doesnt have to keep suffering under the hoop. When the Bucks get healthy this season look out, the East is still up for grabs.

Brandon Jennings is playing the best ball of his career. Averaging over 25 ppg in his last 3 games, raising his average to 18.4 ppg this season. If the Bucks want to keep winning I believe Jennings is the main ingredient.

Last season Milwaukee acquired John Salmons from the Chicago Bulls in a mid-season trade, which turn Milwaukee’s season around. This season Salmons is off to a slow start. While watching these games Salmons doesn’t have the same game as he did last year, although he’s not 100%, he can still produce more to the team than what he is right now.

CDR is impressing me with his two games played in a Bucks uniform, he’s bringing a lot of energy to the court with his athleticism. It will be interesting, when everyone gets healthy how the rotation will work with Coach Scott Skiles.

The national headlines is all about the Miami Heat struggles; which is a good thing for Milwaukee with their poor record staying out of the spotlight.

Still a lot of the season left, I believe the Bucks will be tough down the road….FEAR THE DEER…

Question of the Week:

What Eastern Conference Team has underperformed the most? *Feel free to leave comments*

Milwaukee WI:

After a dismantling 2-5 start, The Milwaukee Bucks are starting to show their potential. A rocky start, due to horrendous shooting and self-forced turnovers, killed them in the early season.

Milwaukee has started to show progress after 3 straight wins against: New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors.

November 9, The new look Knicks came to town looking to showcase their new additions this season, such as Raymond Felton and Amar’e Stoudemire. This game was full of highlight plays. NBA.com could have done their Top 10 plays just from the game in the Bradley Center Tuesday night. Guard Bill Walker (NY) brought the house down early on while soaring above and behind over Center Andrew Bogut (MIL). Forward Drew Gooden (MIL) had tricks of his own, throwing a pass off the backboard to himself for a layup. Milwaukee wasn’t done wowing the home-court crowd. After Bogut blocked a shot, Guard Brandon Jennings (MIL) grabbed the ball weaving in and out of defenders, bouncing the ball between the legs with Bogut following for the slam. Bucks win 107-80.

Game Notes: Stoudemire and Jennings each led their respected teams with 19 points each. Carlos Delfino (MIL) held out of game with (Neck Strain).

The Phrase “Fear the Deer” was made in the Phillips Arena when Milwaukee almost had the upset on the Atlanta Hawks. Milwaukee visited the Hawks for the first time since Round One playoffs last season. Milwaukee knew they had something to prove in this game, by starting off hot. Atlanta shot horrible from the field.Atlanta’s Center, Horford, “Sorry fan’s we came out flat, Won’t happen again”

Milwaukee continues their success with a huge contribution off the bench with 20 points coming from Corey Maggette. Ersan Ilyasova added 17 off the bench as the Bucks roll 108-91.

Although New York and Atlanta are great teams, the Bucks had Golden State in their next battle. Golden State? Yes this team I had worries about the most, if you turn your Television set for one minute, these guys will throw up 20 points like its nothing. Last year Milwaukee and Golden State met twice, each time both teams scored over 110+ ppg. So were going to have another shoot out right? Not exactly, this was a defensive game. Milwaukee held control of the game until the fourth quarter when Guard Monte Ellis (GS) went off. Ellis alone cut the lead to 4 points. Bucks came back to battle with Guard John Salmons (MIL) scoring 26 points to lead Milwaukee to their 3rd straight victory.

Game Notes: Brandon Jennings scored 55 points vs Golden State last year at the Bradley Center. Also, Corey Maggette’s first meeting with his former Warriors team after Milwaukee sent Guard Charlie Bell and Center Dan Gazurdic for slasher Maggette this offseason.

Bucks will take on NBA Champions L.A Lakers Tuesday night in Milwaukee.

Rumors:

• Rubio to start career in Minnesota.
• Detroits Prince to be shopped?
• Center Andrew Bynum practice timetable a week.
• Knicks interested in Nash
• Michael Redd back Feb/ Won’t be a Buck

The Milwaukee Bucks are off to 1-4 start to the 2010-11 NBA Season. Second year Guard Brandon Jennings tweeted “Gettin ugly… No way we should be 1-4. That’s all!!!”. That being said after a tough loss to the Celtics Wednesday night.

Injuries are always key factors to a NBA team throughout a 82 game season. Milwaukee came into todays game without key acquisition Chris Douglas-Roberts. CDR has not played in a Bucks uniform this early season due to an eye injury. John Salmons missed all of training camp and Pre-Season due to a sprained knee. Salmons is off to a slow start to the season shooting 26.9% from the field averaging 7.8 ppg. Salmons was a key edition to the Bucks second half success last year, averaging 19 ppg coming over from the Bulls.

Carlos Delfino is shooting 50% from beyond the arc, ranking him in the top five in three balls made. Although the stats are great, Delfino had two key turnovers in the late minutes of overtime to cost the Bucks the game in Boston Wednesday night.

Andrew Bogut has started to bring his game back quietly, scoring 21 points and grabbing 13 boards in the loss. As you all know Bogut had the gruesome elbow injury before the playoff’s last season. Bogut “For people asking: my arm isnt great and it wont be all season. Im trying to forget about it and play, yes it is tough, but ill be fine.”

The Bucks need to start bringing all of it together. They have great depth, with one of the best sixth man of the year candidates in Corey Maggette. Coach Scott Skiles is still trying to figure out the rotation with his squad. Milwaukee is known to bring the team chemistry and wins together after the All-Star Break. In my opinion, it’d be nice to see them pull off a good record in the first half of the season, and make a playoff run on some of the top team’s being the Heat, Celtics, Magic and Hawks.

Key notes:

Milwaukee: Corey Maggette missed his first free-throw after going 35-35 from the line this season.

Milwaukee: Keyon Dooling played his 600th career game.

Boston: Paul Pierce scored his 20,000 career point from the line with 13.2 seconds in OT.

Boston: Rajon Rondo breaks record for most assists in first 5 games of season;passing Magic & Stockton.

Around the League:

• Rumor: Josh Smith possibly out in ATL;Detroit destination?
• Rumor: Kaman for Prince?
• Cav’s: Jamison was put on inactive list due to sore knee.
• Garnett denying reports of calling Villanueva “Cancer Patient”.
• Kobe commits to Coach K; 2012 Olympics

Fear the DEER!

The Milwaukee Bucks are off to a slow start to the beginning of the 2010-11 NBA Season. However, don’t count out the Buck’s in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt. As Milwaukee turned head’s in the second half of the year last season, look for them to do it again. Point Guard Brandon Jennings has one year of experience under his belt, as he proved to all the critics he’s got game. Jennings took an interesting path as he turned down the University of Arizona while going to play overseas. Jennings had his coming out party when he threw up 55 points against the Warriors last season. Although Jennings was apart of the huge success last year, there was a bigger piece in my mind. Center Andrew Bogut got snubbed from the All-Star game in my mind, and he thought that too. Bogut averaged a double-double in his last 20 games, until the gruesome arm injury. Milwaukee lost Bogut for the rest of the season, meaning he would miss the playoff’s. The Bucks take ATL to game seven, and with a healthy Andrew Bogut I think they have a great shot to knock off the Atlanta Hawks. Coach Scott Skiles just got an extension into next year, along with Executive of the Year John Hammond. The popular saying in Milwaukee is “Feer the Deer”, I think everyone should get used to that as I see the Bucks making a strong playoff push again this season.

Bucks new editions: Drew Gooden, Corey Maggette, CDR, Jon Brockman, Earl Boykins, Keyon Dooling & Drafting Larry Sanders (15th overall pick)

Key Losses: Charlie Bell, Dan Gadzuric & Luke Ridnour.

Preditions: 1st Central Division, 5th Eastern Conference, Knocked out 2nd Round Playoffs.

Upcoming Games: vs Portland Tonight, @ Celtics ESPN Nov 3rd, vs Indiana Nov 5th.

Stay tuned for post-game comments after game!