The Weekly Bucks Report is posted on CH generally on Mondays or Tuesdays. This week Two Name takes a look back at the 08-09 year, which is basically over.
As the Bucks’ 2008-2009 campaign painfully winds down, it’s a good time to take a look back at Milwaukee’s offseason moves and assess the impact they had this season and for the future.
Hindsight is always 20-20, but I’m interested to hear how you guys judge a few of the moves during John Hammond’s first year as director of basketball operations. Hammond was busy, whether it was his first draft, trades, or free-agent acquisitions. Obviously, the season has not gone according to plan – mostly due to injuries – but let’s look at what Hammond did before things got underway in late October.
The Draft: Hammond used the eighth pick to select Joe Alexander. It’s hard to judge Alexander at this point because he is a project. The Bucks knew he wouldn’t contribute much this year, and he didn’t do much to justify his draft status. That being said, you did see some of the athleticism that attracted Hammond to the rookie last June.
The one thing I’m not sold on is his defensive ability. The Bucks claimed he could play either forward positions and hold his own. He’s so scatter-brained on defense, and I don’t see any signs of being a premier defender. If a guy as much as raises his eyebrows, Alexander jumps out of his shoes trying to block a shot. Again, he hasn’t had much time to develop his game outside of practice. So, the Alexander pick would garner an incomplete grade in my book.
Hammond did hit a home run with the Fresh Prince, however. Luc Richard easily was the Bucks’ best defender this year, and his offensive game will develop with time. Hammond definitely earns an “A” with this pick, and I’m excited for his future.
Trades: The big trade was acquiring Richard Jefferson for Yi and Bobby Simmons. Let me start by saying getting rid of Simmons made this deal worth it, regardless of how good Yi will become. I was never sold on Yi as a viable starter in the Association, and he never wanted to be in Milwaukee in the first place. The financial gain of doing this deal was the best part of the move. Larry Harris did not know how to manage a salary cap, and the Simmons deal was evidence of that fact.
Now, Jefferson did disappoint me this year. I think he took a backseat to Redd and Bogut early on, not playing his aggressive, slashing style. He picked it up after those two got injured, but he definitely looked a step slower than he has the last couple years in New Jersey. The trade gets a “B” in my book. Jefferson $15 million is going to hurt next year, but I think he will be a solid contributor for the duration of his time in Milwaukee. This is a “B” trade for me.
The other big trade for Milwaukee was getting rid of Mo Williams and getting Luke Ridnour to run the point. I always thought this simply was a move to make way for Ramon Sessions, and that appears to be the case as the season is winding down. Sessions has showed flashes of greatness this season at time, but has struggled as of late. Yet he continues to start and should the rest of the season. I think Sessions is Milwaukee’s point guard of the future, and getting rid of Mo was a necessity for that progression to get underway.
Ridnour was who I thought he was going to be this year. Nothing special. Solid player. I was never a big Mo fan, so this trade is another “B” in my book, simply because Sessions has impressed me enough to justify the move.
Free-agent acquisitions: Francisco Elson, Malik Allen, Keith Bogans and Damon Jones were some of the guys Hammond brought in off the street (Bogans and Jones during the season). None of these guys had real impact. Allen was OK before getting injured. Elson is just a guy, despite appearing to be more than that when he played in San Antonio. I guess the Spurs’ system makes anyone look good. (See Roger Mason this year). These pick-ups really didn’t cost the Bucks anything. I’ll give Hammond a “D” grade for these moves collectively.
What do you guys think of the offseason moves now that the season is coming to an end and you have had a chance to assess their impact?
Rough week: The Bucks had a rough week, building on their five-game losing streak. It’s not going to get any better, with the Lakers on the schedule this week. I really haven’t paid too close attention as of late. It’s becoming painful to watch.
Player of the week: Why not give it to Danny G. after his 18-point, 12-rebound performance Saturday against the Heat?
This week: The Bucks host L.A., head to Philly and host Memphis this week. I see the losing streak coming to an end Saturday versus the Grizz.
Showing posts with label Ramon Sessions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ramon Sessions. Show all posts
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Weekly Bucks Report
After a mid-season break due to the NBA All-Star Game, the Weekly Bucks Report returns in full force. Two Name told me he spent 4 hours writing this post - seriously...and all he wants in return is 1 comment in the comment section...so help the man out.
The Weekly Bucks Report is posted every Monday or Tuesday on CH.
I basically deemed the 2008-2009 season a lost cause as the calendar turned to February.
That was when we found out the Bucks would be without Andrew Bogut for eight weeks – which will turn out to be the entire season, playoffs or not – with a fracture in his back. Bogut joined Mike Redd on the bench after playing his last game Jan. 31 against Atlanta.
Then Luke Ridnour broke his thumb in practice 10 minutes – literally 10 minutes – after the Bucks traded Ridnour’s backup – Ty Lue – to Orlando for Keith Bogans on Feb. 5. If there’s ever an anecdote to sum up this season and the Bucks’ injury situation, that might be it.
How-evah, the short-handed Bucks have defied the odds thus far and surprised me with solid team play since Bogut and Redd were bench-ridden. Ridnour has since returned, but the play of Ramon Sessions and Charlie Villanueva has helped Milwaukee hold onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Plus, Richard Jefferson has elevated his play, averaging about 25 points a game in February.
The Bucks are 4-4 since Bogut was declared out for the season, including impressive wins on the road against Detroit and at home against Denver on Sunday. They have lost to solid teams (Cleveland, specifically), but the most encouraging sign is the Bucks never seem completely overmatched. They’ve been in every game and easily could have reversed their fortunes in a couple of those losses.
What accounts for this success?
It has to be a mixture of players stepping up and Scott Skiles implementing a system that makes average players go above and beyond their ability. The way the Bucks pass the ball under Skiles is impressive. An extra pass here and there makes guys like Charlie Bell and Francisco Elson look better than they actually are at times because the passing leads to wide-open looks at the basket.
There’s also something to be said for not having to look for a star player or two on every possession. These guys don’t have feed Bogut in the post or find Redd on the perimeter, so they’re playing a more wide-open style. I don’t know how long this will last. Sooner or later, the lack of depth on the bench will have to bite the Bucks. Right?
They’ve defied the odds thus far. If they continue buying into the style of play they’ve featured since the beginning of February, the playoffs are still attainable, as crazy as that sounds. Especially when the schedule is loaded with home games the rest of the way.
I mean, really, does the Knicks’ roster, one of the groups chasing the Bucks for the eighth spot, really put more fear into your heart than Milwaukee’s? Don’t think so. No matter what happens, it’s just nice to see this team hasn’t gone into the tank, which definitely would have happened in years past.
LBJ in town: Anybody see LeBron score 16 points in the first 3 minutes of the third quarter against the Bucks on Saturday? I couldn’t stand watching fans cheer for him at the BC, but I’ve never seen anyone take shots from such outlandish distances and watch every one go in the basket. James finished with 55 points, including 8 of 11 from 3-point range. Funny this is, despite LeBron going off, the Bucks retook the lead in that game and had a chance to win. By the way, I’ll take Sessions over Mo Williams for the long-term solution at point guard. Mo looks great next to LeBron, but he’s not committed to being a pass-first, franchise point guard and never will be.
Calm trade winds: There was a lot of conversation about the Bucks preceding the trade deadline, but John Hammond stood pat with his overachieving roster. I didn’t have a problem with this. I’m thrilled Hammond didn’t trade Sessions or Villanueva earlier this season, and now I want to see how the rest of the campaign plays out. Hammond knows one of two things: Either he thinks this assortment of players can make the playoffs and wanted to see it through. Or, he knew one move wouldn’t put this roster over the top and make it a sure lock for the playoffs. I assume the most attractive players on the Bucks are Sessions and Villanueva, and Hammond couldn’t justify trading either one of them at this point, especially because the team is in the hunt.
Player of the week: It’s pretty much going to be Villanueva or Sessions the rest of the way, and this week it’s Charlie V. Big Smooth recorded double-doubles against Chicago and Cleveland (17 points, 12 boards, and 26 and 13, respectively), and he finished with 36 points and the game-clinching shot against Denver on Sunday. Charlie averaged 20 points a game in January and is showing no signs of slowing down.
This week: Bucks have a tough trip this week, heading to Dallas and New Orleans. Washington travels to the BC Saturday. I’ll go on a limb and say the Bucks will go 2-1 and surprise us in one of those road games. The Two Name guarantee will continue living in infamy, or shame …
The Weekly Bucks Report is posted every Monday or Tuesday on CH.
I basically deemed the 2008-2009 season a lost cause as the calendar turned to February.
That was when we found out the Bucks would be without Andrew Bogut for eight weeks – which will turn out to be the entire season, playoffs or not – with a fracture in his back. Bogut joined Mike Redd on the bench after playing his last game Jan. 31 against Atlanta.
Then Luke Ridnour broke his thumb in practice 10 minutes – literally 10 minutes – after the Bucks traded Ridnour’s backup – Ty Lue – to Orlando for Keith Bogans on Feb. 5. If there’s ever an anecdote to sum up this season and the Bucks’ injury situation, that might be it.
How-evah, the short-handed Bucks have defied the odds thus far and surprised me with solid team play since Bogut and Redd were bench-ridden. Ridnour has since returned, but the play of Ramon Sessions and Charlie Villanueva has helped Milwaukee hold onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Plus, Richard Jefferson has elevated his play, averaging about 25 points a game in February.
The Bucks are 4-4 since Bogut was declared out for the season, including impressive wins on the road against Detroit and at home against Denver on Sunday. They have lost to solid teams (Cleveland, specifically), but the most encouraging sign is the Bucks never seem completely overmatched. They’ve been in every game and easily could have reversed their fortunes in a couple of those losses.
What accounts for this success?
It has to be a mixture of players stepping up and Scott Skiles implementing a system that makes average players go above and beyond their ability. The way the Bucks pass the ball under Skiles is impressive. An extra pass here and there makes guys like Charlie Bell and Francisco Elson look better than they actually are at times because the passing leads to wide-open looks at the basket.
There’s also something to be said for not having to look for a star player or two on every possession. These guys don’t have feed Bogut in the post or find Redd on the perimeter, so they’re playing a more wide-open style. I don’t know how long this will last. Sooner or later, the lack of depth on the bench will have to bite the Bucks. Right?
They’ve defied the odds thus far. If they continue buying into the style of play they’ve featured since the beginning of February, the playoffs are still attainable, as crazy as that sounds. Especially when the schedule is loaded with home games the rest of the way.
I mean, really, does the Knicks’ roster, one of the groups chasing the Bucks for the eighth spot, really put more fear into your heart than Milwaukee’s? Don’t think so. No matter what happens, it’s just nice to see this team hasn’t gone into the tank, which definitely would have happened in years past.
LBJ in town: Anybody see LeBron score 16 points in the first 3 minutes of the third quarter against the Bucks on Saturday? I couldn’t stand watching fans cheer for him at the BC, but I’ve never seen anyone take shots from such outlandish distances and watch every one go in the basket. James finished with 55 points, including 8 of 11 from 3-point range. Funny this is, despite LeBron going off, the Bucks retook the lead in that game and had a chance to win. By the way, I’ll take Sessions over Mo Williams for the long-term solution at point guard. Mo looks great next to LeBron, but he’s not committed to being a pass-first, franchise point guard and never will be.
Calm trade winds: There was a lot of conversation about the Bucks preceding the trade deadline, but John Hammond stood pat with his overachieving roster. I didn’t have a problem with this. I’m thrilled Hammond didn’t trade Sessions or Villanueva earlier this season, and now I want to see how the rest of the campaign plays out. Hammond knows one of two things: Either he thinks this assortment of players can make the playoffs and wanted to see it through. Or, he knew one move wouldn’t put this roster over the top and make it a sure lock for the playoffs. I assume the most attractive players on the Bucks are Sessions and Villanueva, and Hammond couldn’t justify trading either one of them at this point, especially because the team is in the hunt.
Player of the week: It’s pretty much going to be Villanueva or Sessions the rest of the way, and this week it’s Charlie V. Big Smooth recorded double-doubles against Chicago and Cleveland (17 points, 12 boards, and 26 and 13, respectively), and he finished with 36 points and the game-clinching shot against Denver on Sunday. Charlie averaged 20 points a game in January and is showing no signs of slowing down.
This week: Bucks have a tough trip this week, heading to Dallas and New Orleans. Washington travels to the BC Saturday. I’ll go on a limb and say the Bucks will go 2-1 and surprise us in one of those road games. The Two Name guarantee will continue living in infamy, or shame …
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Weekly Bucks Report Will Not Die!
The Weekly Bucks Report is generally understood to be the best weekly blog piece written about the Milwaukee Bucks. It is written by CH Correspondent Two Name, who somehow managed to stop sniffling about Andrew Bogut's broken back long enough to provide the analysis below. For the time being, it is posted every Tuesday morning on CH.
So, who do you pay? Ramon Sessions or Charlie Villanueva?
That question came to mind after watching Sessions and Smooth keep the Bucks in the game against Detroit Saturday before falling short. Both guys displayed what seems like unlimited potential against the Pistons, and while it would be nice to have them both again next year with a healthy roster, it probably won’t happen. So, who do you want?
With the Bucks hovering around $69 million in salaries this season ($35.5 million of which is in street clothes), there’s no way the man in the green blazer will break the bank and pay the luxury tax. Both Villanueva and Sessions are restricted free agents, and since they will see extended playing time the rest of the year to showcase their talents, both guys will be looking for a nice pay raise.
Charlie V is making $3.5 million this year and has a qualifying offer for $4.6 million next season. Ramon is making a meager $711,000 this year. I think Villanueva’s name and former draft status carries a little more weight than Ramon’s at this point, so it seems more likely that Charlie V will be the one to command more money and play somewhere else next season. But point guards are hard to come by, so if Sessions keeps impressing, someone with more cash than the Bucks could make a run at him.
This is the time when Danny G’s $14 million over the next two seasons really hits hard. If I had to choose, I would let Big Smooth go and focus on Ramon. I think he’s the point guard of the future and will flourish under the tutelage of Scott Skiles. Villanueva has won me over as the season’s progressed, but I think he’s the type of guy who will get comfortable after signing a big deal.
It’s tough to find a 6-11 player who can shoot, rebound and get to the basket, but it’s even tougher to find a floor leader who is committed to being a pass-first point guard. The Bucks have that in Sessions and need to pay him at year’s end. However, the Bucks do have Luke Ridnour signed through next season, so maybe they could give the reins to Luke and find a point guard in the draft. What do you guys think?
Token move: The Orlando Magic needed a point guard. The Bucks needed someone to play shooting guard. Want to make a deal? In a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA, Milwaukee acquired Keith Bogans for Ty Lue this week. The Bucks actually drafted Bogans in the second round of the 2003 draft. They traded him on draft night for straight cash, homey. He is averaging 5 points and 3 rebounds this season, but he is known for tough defense, so we got that going for us, which is nice. Hard to believe, but this guy was the SEC player of the year in 2002-2003 at Kentucky. My biggest memory of Bogans is watching D-Wade and the Golden Eagles oust his Wildcats in the Elite 8 in Minneapolis. I was at the game, and I’m sure I yelled some drunken slurs at him at one point or another. Welcome to Milwaukee, bud. I’m sure getting traded from one of the best teams in the East residing in one of the best cities in the country is sitting well with you right now.
So much for that: Past Weekly Bucks Reports have delved into the rigors of the Bucks’ schedule during the first half of the season. I was waiting for things to even out, and just when balance was about to be restored, 60 percent of the starting lineup is in street clothes. Milwaukee has 18 of its next 29 games at home. Unfortunately, those who pay for a ticket will see good effort every night but not enough victories to keep the Bucks in the playoff race. I consider myself to be a big fan, but I won’t be making the trip from Chicago to see Francisco Elson or Danny G start at center or Damon Jones and Bogans share time at the 2-spot.
Player of the week: Sessions was unstoppable against Detroit on Saturday. It seems like every time he has a chance to shine – see last year when the season was in the tank or when Redd got hurt earlier this year – he proves to be a silver lining. It was hard to eclipse his 24-assist performance against Chicago at the end of last season, but Ramon did by single-handedly keeping the Bucks in the game against Detroit. It was nice seeing someone light up A.I. He’s done it enough to us over the years, especially in the BC.
This week: Another slow week has the Bucks hosting Indiana tomorrow night. Then they don’t play until next Tuesday in Detroit. I guess any practice time would be good right now, seeing as Skiles is coaching with what essentially is a new lineup due to injuries.
So, who do you pay? Ramon Sessions or Charlie Villanueva?
That question came to mind after watching Sessions and Smooth keep the Bucks in the game against Detroit Saturday before falling short. Both guys displayed what seems like unlimited potential against the Pistons, and while it would be nice to have them both again next year with a healthy roster, it probably won’t happen. So, who do you want?
With the Bucks hovering around $69 million in salaries this season ($35.5 million of which is in street clothes), there’s no way the man in the green blazer will break the bank and pay the luxury tax. Both Villanueva and Sessions are restricted free agents, and since they will see extended playing time the rest of the year to showcase their talents, both guys will be looking for a nice pay raise.
Charlie V is making $3.5 million this year and has a qualifying offer for $4.6 million next season. Ramon is making a meager $711,000 this year. I think Villanueva’s name and former draft status carries a little more weight than Ramon’s at this point, so it seems more likely that Charlie V will be the one to command more money and play somewhere else next season. But point guards are hard to come by, so if Sessions keeps impressing, someone with more cash than the Bucks could make a run at him.
This is the time when Danny G’s $14 million over the next two seasons really hits hard. If I had to choose, I would let Big Smooth go and focus on Ramon. I think he’s the point guard of the future and will flourish under the tutelage of Scott Skiles. Villanueva has won me over as the season’s progressed, but I think he’s the type of guy who will get comfortable after signing a big deal.
It’s tough to find a 6-11 player who can shoot, rebound and get to the basket, but it’s even tougher to find a floor leader who is committed to being a pass-first point guard. The Bucks have that in Sessions and need to pay him at year’s end. However, the Bucks do have Luke Ridnour signed through next season, so maybe they could give the reins to Luke and find a point guard in the draft. What do you guys think?
Token move: The Orlando Magic needed a point guard. The Bucks needed someone to play shooting guard. Want to make a deal? In a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA, Milwaukee acquired Keith Bogans for Ty Lue this week. The Bucks actually drafted Bogans in the second round of the 2003 draft. They traded him on draft night for straight cash, homey. He is averaging 5 points and 3 rebounds this season, but he is known for tough defense, so we got that going for us, which is nice. Hard to believe, but this guy was the SEC player of the year in 2002-2003 at Kentucky. My biggest memory of Bogans is watching D-Wade and the Golden Eagles oust his Wildcats in the Elite 8 in Minneapolis. I was at the game, and I’m sure I yelled some drunken slurs at him at one point or another. Welcome to Milwaukee, bud. I’m sure getting traded from one of the best teams in the East residing in one of the best cities in the country is sitting well with you right now.
So much for that: Past Weekly Bucks Reports have delved into the rigors of the Bucks’ schedule during the first half of the season. I was waiting for things to even out, and just when balance was about to be restored, 60 percent of the starting lineup is in street clothes. Milwaukee has 18 of its next 29 games at home. Unfortunately, those who pay for a ticket will see good effort every night but not enough victories to keep the Bucks in the playoff race. I consider myself to be a big fan, but I won’t be making the trip from Chicago to see Francisco Elson or Danny G start at center or Damon Jones and Bogans share time at the 2-spot.
Player of the week: Sessions was unstoppable against Detroit on Saturday. It seems like every time he has a chance to shine – see last year when the season was in the tank or when Redd got hurt earlier this year – he proves to be a silver lining. It was hard to eclipse his 24-assist performance against Chicago at the end of last season, but Ramon did by single-handedly keeping the Bucks in the game against Detroit. It was nice seeing someone light up A.I. He’s done it enough to us over the years, especially in the BC.
This week: Another slow week has the Bucks hosting Indiana tomorrow night. Then they don’t play until next Tuesday in Detroit. I guess any practice time would be good right now, seeing as Skiles is coaching with what essentially is a new lineup due to injuries.
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