Over the last 2 seasons (Hammond's 2 seasons), they have been trying to purge contracts. That's well documented.

But I like what I see in the kind of player the Bucks are pinpointing. Two years in a row now, they have rid themselves of guys that were questionable athletically and replaced them with far more athletic players.

It looks to me that they're going to be looking to break a lot more these days. Jennings is lightning fast, Joe Alexander and Amir Johnson are guys who can really leap, Mbah a Moute can also run and jump... it looks to me like they want to fast break. I like this, becaue it gives guys like Redd and CV (if they re-sign him) opportunities to trail for open looks, which is a stape of the Skiles system.

The real test will be in the player development category, because all of the players they have aquired the last two years (with the exception of Meeks) have one glaring deficiency- they can't shoot. I don't think that they'll ask Johnson to shoot much, but Alexander is going to be useless if he can't knock down a jumper, and Jennings will struggle as well. Guys who can run and jump but can't shoot don't last long in the NBA, and the Bucks were one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA last year.

It seems starnge that you try to become a better shooting team by getting guys that can't shoot, but if they're able to fast break more, the players they have acquired should be able to be more successful in the open court.

I am sure that they had this in mind when the drafted Meeks- they have to be able to get guys that can hit spot up shots off the break. They have Redd, maybe CV, and Meeks can fill that role as well.

I am not saying this team is going to be a winner now, but if those pieces can develop, they'll certainly be on the right track.

why do I keep hearing that Meeks isn't athletic? From what I saw this past year, he looked plenty athletic to me.

But, as of right now, all they are showing for the 6th pick two years ago is 3 expiring contract slugs

Jennings seems to be Class A Turd material to me.

1. Dumb as a rock, super-talented basketball player but can't get into Arizona because he can't pass the exam. Goes to Europe and does next to nothing in his one season over there.

2. Cries and stays away from the draft because he's not guaranteed to be a lottery pick...but once he is picked he shows up and does a "look at me" routine up on stage 30 minutes after he was initially selected.

3. Now this nonsense:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/11905857
Hammond said he did not want to elaborate on the reasons behind the free-agent decisions. But he did address another issue facing the team this week: Jennings' involvement in a profanity-laced and provocative video clip that was posted on the website YouTube.

"We are aware of the story," Hammond said. "This is a team matter, and we've been in contact with Brandon regarding it."

The clip, which showed rapper Joe Budden having a speakerphone conversation with someone identified as Jennings, had been removed as of Monday afternoon.

But according to a partial transcript of the clip posted on sportingnews.com, Jennings said he was confident that Sessions would not return to the team, boasted that he would beat out Luke Ridnour for the Bucks' starting point guard job and made a profane comment about the New York Knicks for not drafting him.

"He did not know he was being taped and it's already been addressed to Brandon by the Milwaukee Bucks as well as Bill Duffy and BDA Sports," said Ilana Nunn, spokeswoman for Jennings' agency. "When you're not told you're being taped, you don't know what's going on."

Jennings previously had mentioned his friendship with Budden on his Twitter account, which had been taken down as of Monday afternoon.

The incident could raise questions about the maturity of Jennings, who decided to play professionally in Italy instead of going to college.

And Jennings apparently was wrong about Sessions' future with the team.

Scumbag

quote:

why do I keep hearing that Meeks isn't athletic? From what I saw this past year, he looked plenty athletic to me.

Just to clarify, I never said that. When I said "with the exception of Meeks" I was speaking of his ability to shoot as opposed to the rest of them not being able to.

quote:

Jennings seems to be Class A Turd material to me.

Not too many big time players who don't think this. However, they didn't get caught on YouTube talking about it, I guess...

People are worked up about that? What's the big deal? So he spouted off about beating out Ridnour. I sure as hell hope he does because someone with his talent ought to be better than Ridnour- and a little confidence isn't such a bad thing.

He also seems to give the impression that he's not happy he was chosen as late as he was in the draft, and this wasn't the first time he's made that comment. He basically said something about Rubio pre-draft, in effect, he didn't understand how he (Jennings) could be drafted after him.

The key with this kid is that he needs to put his money where his mouth is and step in and perform to the level of his physical ability. If he can do that they will have a very good player on their hands.

Hmmmm, interesting character profile.

Was hoping Jennings had matured. Not a good way to start off with your teamates.

Better grow up kid.

Now that he has Talked-the-talk, He now needs to shut up and Walk-the-Walk.

bad advice

a walk is a turnover

Not in the NBA.....EKB

Looks like we get a good dose of young Ersan Ilyasova. I liked what I saw from him a couple years back. He can do everything that CV can, that's for sure. If reports about him being a much improved player in Europe are true, the Bucks are still in good shape.

I think I like where the Bucks are headed. Clearly, they are managing the cap well and it looks like they are committed to a certain kind of player. I think CV is a case in point. The guy has shown he can score, but my guess is the Buck's management simply does not want someone that soft at PF.

Sure hope the PG they drafted pans out.

Didn't like the fact that Hammond pretty much gave Jefferson away. Clearing cap room or not, the return was pretty weak. Jennings seems like a Class A thug. I am going to reserve judgement on Hammond until this off-season is over.

They got Johnson and major cap and salary relief- that was the best they could probably do under the circumstances. I don't think it was a bad deal at all.

The key is what they do with what's next. They are able to retain Sessions now that they got rid of Jefferson's $15M/Yr, now they need to continue to resuscitate the financial aspects of the team so they can build. They still do't have that coveted superstar, but they can be competitive until they get lucky.

One thing that is helping the Bucks' cause is the lowering of the cap and the economy. This will allow them to keep a player like Sessions when they may not otherwise have been able to.

Looks like Meeks is catching on quickly, and that Jennings is as well. PLaying well in the summer league is a good start. Joe Alexander is still struggling shooting the ball- not a good sign.

Granted, it's only the summer league in Vegas, but Meeks has been very good so far.

Jennings had a shaky debut but then came out and played really well with 20+ points in his second game.

Moute also continues his steady play as a second year guy

Overall, if these three guys can continue to improve this could be a "sleeper" team in the East this year. You know Redd and Bogut will do their thing, but if the younger guys can step up who knows?

And yes, Alexander is struggling with his shot but the other aspect of his game (rebounding, hustle, toughness) are there. I would not give up on him just yet.

Leapin' Joe Alexander had 24pts last night in a win over Sacramento

Meeks had 20, Jennings 13 (14 dishes and 7 steals)

Wes Matthews has 14, Jarel McNeal 2, and Marcus Landry 13pts...for Sac


Bucks are 3-0 in Summer League play so far.

quote:

Originally posted by Packdog:
Leapin' Joe Alexander had 24pts last night in a win over Sacramento

Meeks had 20, Jennings 13 (14 dishes and 7 steals)

Wes Matthews has 14, Jarel McNeal 2, and Marcus Landry 13pts...for Sac


Bucks are 3-0 in Summer League play so far.

Wow....I kinda like the line Jennings put up. Maybe The Bucks struck Gold afterall....we can only hope.

14 assists and 7 steals? Wow. That suggests high skill level, excellent offensive scheming (including unselfishness), and defensive tenacity.

Sure are possibilities with these numbers.

It's hard to gauge defensive statistics in Summer League(s) because the intensity just doesn't seem to be there and many of these guys have never played together at the same time. Still, 7 steals in one contest is pretty good.

Even more impressive is that after a bad opening game Jennings seems to have found his stroke from long range. I think he's hitting around 50% from beyond the arc. Last night he had another 14 points in a win.

I've said this about Jennings- there is no question he's got tons of talent and could be a dominant player at some point. They just need to keep him motivated and engaged. If they do that I think they are really going to like the kid.

The real diamond in the rough though could be Meeks. Every game so far he's scored 15-20 points and he's shooting around 60% from the field He could be the best pure shooter/scorer to come out of the draft this year which is good for Milwaukee because they could probably use a guy that shoots a high percentage from the field playing in the backcourt to compliment guys like Sessions and Bell.

Ilyasova, Bucks agree on 3-year deal

Forward Ersan Ilyasova is returning to the Milwaukee Bucks after playing the past two seasons for Regal FC Barcelona in Spain.

Basketball sources confirmed Thursday that Ilyasova and the Bucks have agreed on a three-year deal estimated at nearly $7 million, with a first-year salary of $2.1 million.

An unspecified buyout of Ilyasova’s contract with the Spanish club is required.

The 6-foot-9 Ilyasova will add to Milwaukee's depth at the power forward position, following the departure of free agent Charlie Villanueva, who signed with the Detroit Pistons.

The Bucks also have acquired 22-year-old power forward Amir Johnson, who has played well in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas during the past week. Johnson was obtained from Detroit on June 23 in the three-team trade involving the Bucks, Pistons and San Antonio Spurs, with veteran Richard Jefferson moving to San Antonio.

Ilyasova was a second-round pick for Milwaukee in the 2005 draft, selected 36th overall in the same draft that brought the Bucks the top overall pick, Andrew Bogut.

Ilyasova did not play for the Bucks in his first year, instead spending time with Tulsa in the National Basketball Development League. He appeared in 66 games, including 14 starts, with the Bucks during the 2006-’07 season and averaged 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds while playing 14.8 minutes per game. He was pressed into service in part due to injuries to a number of key players.

In his two years with Barcelona, particularly last season, Ilyasova grew stronger and became a solid rebounder and legitimate three-point shooting threat. He shot over 40% from three-point range in the ACB (Spanish) League during the past season and averaged 10.7 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Ilyasova also helped his Barcelona team reach the final four of the Euroleague, although it lost in the semifinals.

OK, the depth chart starts taking shape:

PG
Ridnour
Sessions
Jennings

SG
Redd
Bell
Stoudamire
Meeks

SF
Mbah a Moute
Alexander
Bowen

PF
Ilyasova
Johnson
Elson
Allen

C
Bogut
Thomas
Gazuric

It seems likely that the first year players will not get a lot of PT. Jennings won't, I am sure of that. He'll have to earn it. That has been Skiles' MO. I think there will be training camp battles for both F spots, but it's more likely Skiles will go with the more competant defenders than more offensive players. Ilyasova will have to prove that he truly has become a more competant rebounder, and if he can pick up the scoring slack will at least get starts' minutes, if not the job outright. Johnson will be a stopper, probably.

If Jennings proves to be a fast learner and Skiles is willing, Sessions will get some time at SG and they could move Redd to SF against some matchups. Stoudamire is intriguing to me as an offensive player off the bench- he can score, so they'll need him.

I think its very likely the Bucks will buyout both Bowen and Thomas, but I could be wrong about that. Perhaps Skiles will like the veteran leadership they'll bring, I don't know. This is starting to look like a much more explosive