Bucks Here To Win Now

I talked about being pumped for the NBA Offseason and it basically was for the LeBron extravaganza but also it had something to do with the Milwaukee Bucks. I wanted to see what the Executive of the Year was going to do.  He has made an impact and it appears to make a dent in the Eastern Conference. On day 1 of the NBA Offseason, they signed Drew Gooden and John Salmons, I couldn't be happier.

While five years for both is a lot, these are two players that are in their late 20s that want to win now and know the Bucks started something last season with their sixth place finish in the Eastern Conference.  Both of these players get that the Deer have a fan base coming back and people that will support them like they wouldn't believe.  So with these two signings and the other stuff that Hammond has done, is it fair to call the Bucks a top four team in the Eastern Conference?

Sure we have to wait to see what all the free agents do this summer, but if you look at their starting lineup with Jennings-Salmons-Maggette-Gooden-Bogut that equates to four guys who can get 20 on any given night and two guys who can definitely get 10 boards a game.  Then you look at their bench, Mbah-Moute, Douglas-Roberts, Ilyasova, Sanders, and there are more players after that.  The Bucks all the sudden have a deep bench with a bunch of guys who can score plus they all have good size making them deep inside, which was something we needed last season. 

The other thing that speaks volumes about the two early signings from two veterans, I believe the entire team really loves what Scott Skiles preaches and his bulldog demeanor works for this group of players. The reputation on Skiles is that everyone gets tired of him by about the third or fourth year, and with players willingly knowing what they are signing on for, it shows they want to make a deep run in the playoffs. If you need proof, read the Journal's piece on Brandon Jennings where he talks about Corey Maggette talking to him about work outs and that he loves that Sanders can run the floor.  Jennings appears to be 10 years older than he really is.

Trust me, just like last season you will want to Fear the Deer and trust me, it will be with homecourt advantage in the playoffs.  The Bucks are ready to make their leap. 

-Charlie.

Young Money Ushers in a New Era

I am trying to decide whether I need pictures in my blog... I know some of you that read it, if you could hit me up on Facebook or Twitter giving your opinion on it. I am going to throw up a picture for the next couple of posts see what happens...

With the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs for the first time in four years, I didn't know what to expect as the Bucks took on the Atlanta Hawks today.  To my dismay, the Bucks played a nervous first half where they took every mid-range shot that was available and never took it to the paint.  Not to mention, they played awful defense that led to the Bucks being down nineteen points at halftime.  The only player who decided to step up all day was Brandon Jennings.

Jennings had 34 points in his rookie debut, which made people reminisce of Derrick Rose's performance last season against the Boston Celtics.  He played probably the best I have seen in the last couple of months and really showed that he can lead this team even at a young age.  There were times this season where I would be worried if Brandon shot the ball, but last night, I wanted him to take every shot that was open to him.  He played fantastic and I think it shows that Jennings has the sort of swagger you want in the NBA Playoffs.  I think if John Salmons, Carlos Delfino, or Ersan Ilyasova can get going, the Bucks could beat the Hawks a couple of times. But I cannot say, that I feel very confident about beating the Hawks even once now.

When I made my picks, I completely forgot about Mike Bibby's complete transformation in the playoffs. A guy who looked washed up throughout the year, looked like the Bibby we all loved in the 2002 playoffs for the Sacramento Kings. He is a clutch performer and wants the ball in the fourth quarter. He isn't the only one on the Hawks who is like that, Joe Johnson made every big shot he took in the late third quarter and into the fourth. I know one thing if the Bucks-Hawks get a close game, I pray to the Basketball Gods that Johnson or Bibby has the ball in the last possession. 

-Charlie.

Brandon Jennings: The Type of Swagger the Bucks Need

I firmly believe that I snuck into the head of Milwaukee Bucks' General Manager John Hammond and figured out the reason why the Bucks decided to take a chance on Brandon Jennings, the top High School player from two years ago and a guy who decided to play over in Europe.... He had the flamboyant, cocky swagger that the Bucks completely lack and they see what it has done for the Milwaukee Brewer fan base therefore they want the same to happen to their NBA team.

I think Jennings will be a good player and he was a guy I didnt have in my top 15 mock draft because I felt that most were down on him due to attitude issues. When I was alerted the Bucks drafted Jennings, I drew up this image in my head more so than anything else. Then I listened to his High School coach Steve Smith of the famed Oak Hill Academy and it really changed my mind about Jennings. Now I feel he is ready to be a starter right out of the gate and will make a big splash with the Bucks.

Some are saying that Jennings cannot shoot but his coach Smith said that is so wrong. He said that "Brandon made fourteen threes for me." Yes the three-point line is a little deeper but still it takes some skill to make that many in a game. I think Jennings can do everything at an above average level and if he just keeps his head on straight, I really feel it will be a great season for the Bucks.

In the Richard Jefferson article, I said that I wanted Ramon Sessions back and Charlie Villanueva wouldnt be bad either although now I wouldnt really be broken up if either guy comes back. Right now I would like the lineup being Jennings-Redd-Mbah Moute-Johnson/CV-Bogut. That would be a pretty solid starting five for the Bucks and if Luke Rindour is around, it wouldnt be a bad idea to spilt some time with Jennings.

-Charlie.