Feb 25, 2010
The Milwaukee Bucks’ newly acquired pieces and renewed commitment on the defensive end have resulted in a four game winning streak and a 28-28, .500 record overall. As of today, that 28-28 record is good enough for seventh in the eastern conference and 1.5 and 3 games out of the sixtth and fifth play-off spots, respectively. Many Bucks fans aren’t satisfied, though and plan on continuing the up-swing. I don’t blame them. It’s time to get excited! It’s time to buy in!
From many outsiders’ points of view, the Bucks are playing out of their minds and Bucks fans should curb their enthusiasm and brace themselves for the inevitable fall that usually comes with post- all-star break Bucks basketball.
No need Bucks fans. Why? because this new team is entirely too sound for another fall like that to occur.
The Milwaukee Bucks, since making the trade for G John Salmons are more balanced offensively and are unrelenting defensively. John Salmons has helped the Bucks on the offensive end in a number of different ways. Obviously, scoring the basketball (17.8 ppg since joining the team) but he has also helped by getting to the free throw line (5.8 attempts a night) and finding other teammatees. He has also helped on the defensive end by staying in front of his man and using his 6’6 frame to challenge shooters.
The link above will take you to a discussion board topic titled “The Milwaukee Bucks, One of the great mysteries of the league”. NBA fans are dumb founded by the fact that the Bucks are able to win despite having quote “worst talent on paper in the league”. If those same fans would take a look at the statistics and the way the Bucks play as a team, their winning ways might not be so mysterious.
First off, Andrew Bogut is finally the center piece of the Milwaukee Bucks’ offensive strategy and he has responded by averaging 17. 3 ppg, 11. 3 rebs and 2.8 blks per game over the month of February. Bogut is also shooting an excellent 53% from the field and is the anchor for a Bucks defense that ranks ninth in the league in terms of defensive efficiency.
Bogut is the man
Second, the Bucks rank second last to the 5 win, New Jersey Nets when it comes to field goal percentage, but they also average the most field goal attempts per game in the league. The Milwaukee Bucks are among the best offensive rebounding teams in the NBA and those reloads allow for them to be efficient offensively.
Third, the Bucks not only create second chance opportunities with their tremendous offensive rebounding capabilities but they have also convert the 6th most 3 point shots in the league, averaging almost eight made three pointers a game.
Mystery solved. The Bucks are playing defense, working hard on the glass, sharing the ball with teammates and, most importantly, coming up with victories. What more can you ask for?
The Bucks will look to continue their winning ways tonight in Indianapolis, against the Pacers and again Saturday and
Time to step up rook
Sunday on the road in Miami and Atlanta. The Bucks can really help themselves by finding a way to win at least two out of these nextthree games. Getting rookie PG Brandon Jennings going again offensively would be huge as the Bucks continue their play-off push. I believe the Bucks can make the play-offs without the young Buck elevating his game but if Brandon can get his shooting percentage above 40% and he continues to knock down open three’s; we may be looking at the 5th or 6th seed in the Eastern Conference play-offs.
But like Andrew Bogut always says, lets take it one game at a time. It starts tonight agaist the Pacers.
Go Buck!!
