Official Milwaukee Bucks Thread

[---]

I love Desmond Mason's game, he's so reckless and fun to watch. While he's not the best player out there, he's got the sorta game that just makes it impossible for me to not like him. Plus he's talented beyond basketball and seems like a really nice guy.

I'm not looking forward to the day he retires.

[benji]

He got robbed out of a second dunk contest victory, and I consider his one dunk one of the best "pure" ones I have seen. But he was trash the last two seasons for some reason and it makes me wonder why since it should have been the year for him to do what he was threatning to do for years. (Be a higher tier wing player.)

[Matt]

Mason isn't capable of being an offensive go to guy. His offensive game is way too limited to be considered an offensive threat on a nightly basis.

maybe....but when the Hornets were ravaged by injuries last season Mason was the key offensive option. Whilst he wasn't scoring in volumes he was creating options for his teammates out of the post.

[-Young Buck-]

I dont think he will be needed to score a ton, what we really need him for is the lack of D we had last year. Singing Mason and keeping Bell will help our D. Hopefully simmons will be healthy, thats another defensive player. Bogut does alright on D. We just need to teach redd, villa, mo, and Yi some D, aswell as playing D as a team. Scoring points wont be a problem.

[Ty-Land]

Apparently Mason's game has been so average the last 2 seasons is because he bulked up to much. The extra muscle affected his shot mechanics, and his confidence tumbled alongside his shooting percentage.

This season, back in Milwaukee he won't be asked to contribute much on offense, but to be a positive role model and leader, and show a lot of effort on the defensive end.

As Young Buck said, barring injuries we are going to be able to score in droves. If Simmons returns to his previous defensive standards, and Bell, Mason and Gadz contribute on D we will win a few games. Most importantly is Larry K getting the team D together. If we can be average on D (which is a big ask) this team will go deep into the playoffs. Signings like Ruffin, Storey, Mason and re-signing Bell are all defence focussed moves, and as a result I'm looking forward to training camp as these guys will be pressuring the starters to up their contribution on both ends of the court or risk being benched.

[cyanide]

Apparently Mason's game has been so average the last 2 seasons is because he bulked up to much. The extra muscle affected his shot mechanics, and his confidence tumbled alongside his shooting percentage.

That's the biggest load of crap ever. Shooting is a skill, and gaining muscle doesn't hinder a skill.

[-Young Buck-]

Apparently Mason's game has been so average the last 2 seasons is because he bulked up to much. The extra muscle affected his shot mechanics, and his confidence tumbled alongside his shooting percentage.

That's the biggest load of crap ever. Shooting is a skill, and gaining muscle doesn't hinder a skill.

I would think if someones shoulders and biceps were to get bigger it would effect someones jumper to some degree. Just look at wrestlers who bulk up and run around like stiffs.

[super_man322000]

yeh but the thing is he should be able to re-invent his shot, i had a big growth from 5'10 to 6'1 and my co-ordination was outta wack. doesnt take long to get back

[---]

On top of that, Desmond has never been able to shoot anyway.

[Ty-Land]

Apparently Mason's game has been so average the last 2 seasons is because he bulked up to much. The extra muscle affected his shot mechanics, and his confidence tumbled alongside his shooting percentage.

That's the biggest load of crap ever. Shooting is a skill, and gaining muscle doesn't hinder a skill.

Well you explain the correlation. He bulked up in the pre-season before he was traded to the hornets so he could play against bigger 3's and some 4's. He admitted that the extra muscle affected his shot mechanics, and while the strength helped in the post it was generally detrimental to his game. Since then he has been getting the muscle down and his game has been slowly improving back to what it was when he was with the Bucks.

[Indy]

On top of that, Desmond has never been able to shoot anyway.

I'm glad somebody already said this.

[cyanide]

Well you explain the correlation. He bulked up in the pre-season before he was traded to the hornets so he could play against bigger 3's and some 4's. He admitted that the extra muscle affected his shot mechanics, and while the strength helped in the post it was generally detrimental to his game. Since then he has been getting the muscle down and his game has been slowly improving back to what it was when he was with the Bucks.

It would be psychological. Guys like Karl Malone and David Robinson have thick as hell arms, yet they don't complain about the extra muscle affecting their shots. Desmond Mason's not even that big, either. If you look at Kobe and McGrady in their rookie seasons to their size now, they packed on a lot of muscle, and yet their shots have improved.

[Ty-Land]

Well you explain the correlation. He bulked up in the pre-season before he was traded to the hornets so he could play against bigger 3's and some 4's. He admitted that the extra muscle affected his shot mechanics, and while the strength helped in the post it was generally detrimental to his game. Since then he has been getting the muscle down and his game has been slowly improving back to what it was when he was with the Bucks.

It would be psychological. Guys like Karl Malone and David Robinson have thick as hell arms, yet they don't complain about the extra muscle affecting their shots. Desmond Mason's not even that big, either. If you look at Kobe and McGrady in their rookie seasons to their size now, they packed on a lot of muscle, and yet their shots have improved.

The thing was he bulked up quite quickly, not gradually like Kobe or McGrady. It was the quite rapid change that through everything out. I think while his shot may have been affected slightly, it was the hit too his confidence that has had the most affect to his game. Hopefully he will regain that with the Bucks.

[cyanide]

Actually, Kobe bulked up quite tremendously in one offseason I think in the 04-05 season. Personally, I think it's just psychological and he probably did not have a lot of confidence. The increase in muscle should not have an affect on any player's shooting ability. I can also attest to that with my own experience

[shadowgrin]

Shame on cyanide for his "help me get an XBox 360" drive.

[Ty-Land]

Bucks Training Camp News:

- Redd has lost a fair bit of weight and showing increased athleticism. Seemingly become more of a leader, more vocal in practice and leading the way in drills etc.
- Focus has been on defense on day 1
- Yi will join tomorrow, and will play in the weekends open scrimmage
- CV is looking good and playing well. Expected to start at the 4
- Bell is happy to be back
- Mo Williams already injured? Hurt his shoulder, went and got it looked at and put on a brace. Did return to training though
- Redd said Simmons looked good out there, played some nice D and made some shots
- Boguts Australian trainer Sinsa Markovic is living with him. Whenever this guy is around Bogut plays exceptionally well, like the 20-20 game against Philly and Charlotte. Seems very relaxed and comfortable. Supposedly up to 270lbs, mainly from an increase of leg and core strength. Expect big things from him. Seemed very very happy to be back
- Larry K seems to be very impressed with Sessions. Maybe a second round steal?
- Larry K said in a post-training interview that players are going to be accountable on D, where players that aren't putting in enough effort or are consistantly being beaten will be benched. Said he is very happy with the roster, got all the players he wanted and likes the defensive focus of the FA signings. Offensive playbook is to be much simplier than Stotts' last year, see's Bogut playing equal amounts in the high and low post.

That's about it I think. Looking forward to hearing reports about Yi's arrival and the scrimmage. Lots of positives so far.

[shadowgrin]

Supposedly up to 270lbs, mainly from an increase of leg and core strength

see's Bogut playing equal amounts in the high and low post

That's nice to know, especially how the way Bogut will be played.

Now if only the same can be said of Yao in Houston.

[Ty-Land]

Yi has arrived. Flew into Chicago and was greeted by fans and media. Did a quick press conference and is now headed to Milwaukee. Will be training from tomorrow onwards. Really looking forward to how he fits in from the beginning and what potential he shows.

Also. Bogut has apparently put his hand up to mentor Yi a bit, make him more comfortable with the transition etc. He hopes he can help make him feel somewhat at home in the US and help him cope with the expectations of being a high draft pick and having the expectations of a nation on his back.

[Dan's Brain]

Do you reckon that Andrew Bogut will ever make the news in Oz for his NBA career again? He'd need to do something big like an MVP or a title to garner any media attention outside of the Olympics. It's a shame.

[Andrew]

Not to the extent of basketball coverage back in the 90s but I'm sure there'll be snippets.

Bucks' Coach Says Yi's Playing Time Isn't Guaranteed

The Milwaukee Bucks have not given first-round pick Yi Jianlian any guarantees of playing time, coach Larry Krystkowiak said Friday.

"It would be unfair to Yi, unfair to Charlie Villanueva, unfair to a lot of people because nothing is being handed to anyone coming into training camp," Krystkowiak said during the Bucks' annual media day. "I think what happened was that after he was signed, there was such pressure that he wouldn't play here after the draft, that a certain amount of face had to be saved."

Bucks general manager Larry Harris, who took part in the negotiations with Yi and his representatives from China in August, confirmed there "were no commitment or promises made about minutes."

I'm glad to hear that was just a rumour, though it was a rumour one couldn't help but believe given all the trouble the Bucks went through to get Yi to Milwaukee.

[jonthefon]

Not to the extent of basketball coverage back in the 90s but I'm sure there'll be snippets.

Was that just because of Luc Longley?


I'm glad that they said Yi won't get guaranteed playing time. That's basically robbery.

[Dan's Brain]

Andrew wrote:
Not to the extent of basketball coverage back in the 90s but I'm sure there'll be snippets.


Was that just because of Luc Longley?

Not just Longley. We had a lot more basketball on TV in the 90s. Probably cos the product has changed somewhat since then. - Luc Longley playing on a championship team didnt hurt.

[Andrew]

I'd say it was more because of Michael Jordan and the growing popularity of basketball and the NBA than Longley specifically, though having an Aussie in the starting lineup of the decade's most successful team helped.

[Fresh8]

I'd say it was more because of Michael Jordan and the growing popularity of basketball and the NBA than Longley specifically, though having an Aussie in the starting lineup of the decade's most successful team helped.

Was another factor that the Aussie National Team was actually strong. Weren't we among the top maybe 5-6 teams in the world for most of the decade. A handful of Aussies were drafted by NBA teams in the mid-late 90s too?

And about the Bucks, Bogut scored 24 and 7 in their scrimmage I think... or it was there abouts! As I've said before, Bogut will have a good season this year.

[Ty-Land]

And about the Bucks, Bogut scored 24 and 7 in their scrimmage I think... or it was there abouts! As I've said before, Bogut will have a good season this year.

It was 22 and 9, as well as 2 blocks. Apparently he was unstoppable. Looked quick but has put on a lot of muscle at his core, and his legs are stronger. I'm expecting a good year for him, maybe 16/10/3.5/0.5/1.

Ivey has played himself into contention. Apparently very impressive on the defensive end. Yi started slow, looked nervous, but played better after the half. Mo had 13pts, 7 boards and 11 assists. Everybody else was as expected, except CV who was meant to be disappointing.

Looking forward to how they go against the Bulls tomorrow.