Bucks Playoff - Anyone excited?

[martyconlonontherun]

I know NBA basketball seems to have a stigma around these forums, but is anyone excited by the Bucks? This is a team built around defense and team offense....with a little spark of Brandon Jennings.

Anyone going to the game?

[BrewCity83]

If Bogut were playing, it would be a lot excited.  Now, not so much.

[copious1218]

I am excited and watch the games (while also flipping to the Blackhawks).  I do see a very slim possibility of beating the Hawks (5% or so), but even if they do, Orlando is a matchup nightmare.  Too bad Bogut went down, otherwise I would be a lot more excited - good call BrewCity.

[MUfan12]

Hell yes. Was there Saturday, and it was an awesome atmosphere. Heading downtown shortly for a few pregame libations before Game 4. Gotta get this one tonight!

[wadefan#1]

I am beyond excited. I have been waiting 4 years for this.

[Ari Gold]

Milwaukee still has an NBA team?
I haven't seen a Bucks game since Ray Allen was on the team, and even if I was offered tickets I could still come up with 2 dozen more entertaining things to do.

[Markusquette]

Guess who was in the box seat behind me tonight?  Buzz!  Waved at him and he smiled and waved back haha.  Anyway, GO BUCKS!

And Ari Gold, you clearly aren't paying attention to the NBA if you could find more entertaining things to do.  Bucks are the hardest working team in the NBA right now, and this is entertaining man.

[shiloh26]

Brew City, you don't know what you are missing... They have played soooo well these last couple of games, and Jennings is brining out a new side to this team.  They are more fun to watch than any Bucks team I've ever seen.  Even Ridnour is taking off his Tim Duncan face and holding the pose on some of his 3's.  Bogut or no, this is turning into one of the more entertaining series', right behind the Thunder/Spurs after the Thunder proved they could make the Lakers really look old. 

[MUfan12]

Milwaukee still has an NBA team?
I haven't seen a Bucks game since Ray Allen was on the team, and even if I was offered tickets I could still come up with 2 dozen more entertaining things to do.

I don't know man. If you're a basketball fan, and I know you are, you would have a great time at these games.

Crowd wise, it's almost a college atmosphere. That place was LOUD tonight. Louder than most, if not all of the MU games this past year. And it's the game being played at an ultra high level.

I was in the same boat you were, but I got freebies to a few games early in the year. I went, and loved how hard the Bucks played. They were always in the game, and I liked that a lot. I've been on board since.

[wadesworld]

Ari you must be living the GOOD life.  These Bucks are FUN to watch.  There is ABSOLUTELY no reason that they are even in the playoffs, let alone tied in their first round series with the Hawks given the talent level of the team without Bogut.  They just work that much harder and play that much more defense than every other team.  It reminds me of this year's Marquette team.  Talent-wise they weren't nearly as good as the results show.  But, "Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard."

I can't even imagine how good the Bucks would be with a healthy Bogut and without completely WASTING a max contract on Michael Redd.  Even if we put an average roll player in his spot on the team (again with a healthy Bogut) and this team would be making a run at the Magic and Cavs.  For now, I'll just enjoy them against the Hawks.

And we owe a lot of thanks to the Bulls.  For Scott Skiles (what were the Bulls thinking?  Dropping him and getting VINNY DEL NEGRO?!) and for John Salmons (and moving up 2 spots in the draft).  So I guess that city IS good for something after all.

[martyconlonontherun]

I really don't know what Ari wants in basketball. 

I asked a few people around me how this atmosphere compared to the MU-ND game since I am biased sometimes towards the NBA and they (being MU fans) said the atmosphere was way more intense than that game.

The team works hard and plays the right way and has an exciting young player.....And the series is tied 2-2, IDK what else you want?

[4everwarriors]

Guess who was in the box seat behind me tonight?  Buzz!  Waved at him and he smiled and waved back haha.  Anyway, GO BUCKS!

And Ari Gold, you clearly aren't paying attention to the NBA if you could find more entertaining things to do.  Bucks are the hardest working team in the NBA right now, and this is entertaining man.

Did you ax him when he's going to sign the next recruit?

[NavinRJohnson]

With Bogut, maybe, but they aren't going to win the series. Brandon Jennings can really play though.

[BrewCity83]

Brew City, you don't know what you are missing... They have played soooo well these last couple of games, and Jennings is brining out a new side to this team.  They are more fun to watch than any Bucks team I've ever seen.  Even Ridnour is taking off his Tim Duncan face and holding the pose on some of his 3's.  Bogut or no, this is turning into one of the more entertaining series', right behind the Thunder/Spurs after the Thunder proved they could make the Lakers really look old. 

I didn't say I'm not watching....I dig the way the Bucks are playing now.  I'm just not very excited about their chances this year without the big man.

[MUBurrow]

And we owe a lot of thanks to the Bulls.  For Scott Skiles (what were the Bulls thinking?  Dropping him and getting VINNY DEL NEGRO?!) and for John Salmons (and moving up 2 spots in the draft).  So I guess that city IS good for something after all.

Big ups to Hammond on the Salmons steal, and Skiles has worked out great for this team.  My biggest concern though is that this overachieving is going to make it difficult to move Skiles once his time passes, especially in a blue collar town like Milwaukee that will favor his blue collar style over accepting the realities of the way the NBA works (especially vs college).

I know this might be met with some criticism, but it would be to the Bucks detriment to have Skiles coach this team another 3-4 years.  Guys just get sick of playing for him, he wears on them, free agents have a tendency to not want to sign onto the Skiles plan.  I think part of the underlying Del Negro move for Chi was to not have a hard@$$ like Skiles coaching when they went into this offseason with a ton of money to spend.  Granted Del Negro was clearly not the right choice, but they wanted a more attractive players type coach to entice big money free agents.  This really isn't even an attack on Skiles at all, but its just that he's more the type of coach who can get a lot of out of less talented teams that are resigned to having to dig out every loose ball and accept being screamed at for missing a block out in practice.   When everything is so new and evolving with the Bucks, he's a great coach to scrap out some wins he shouldnt, and he's largely responsible for making this season so exciting down the stretch.  But as Hammond builds the roster, he is going to have to be mindful of the dynamic between his coach and changing (hopefully more talented) team.

[Hards Alumni]

Ari you must be living the GOOD life.  These Bucks are FUN to watch.  There is ABSOLUTELY no reason that they are even in the playoffs, let alone tied in their first round series with the Hawks given the talent level of the team without Bogut.  They just work that much harder and play that much more defense than every other team.  It reminds me of this year's Marquette team.  Talent-wise they weren't nearly as good as the results show.  But, "Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard."

I can't even imagine how good the Bucks would be with a healthy Bogut and without completely WASTING a max contract on Michael Redd.  Even if we put an average roll player in his spot on the team (again with a healthy Bogut) and this team would be making a run at the Magic and Cavs.  For now, I'll just enjoy them against the Hawks.

And we owe a lot of thanks to the Bulls.  For Scott Skiles (what were the Bulls thinking?  Dropping him and getting VINNY DEL NEGRO?!) and for John Salmons (and moving up 2 spots in the draft).  So I guess that city IS good for something after all.

Let us not forget the 10 million that is wrapped up in Dan Gadzuric.  I hate that man more than anything.

[BrewCity83]

Big ups to Hammond on the Salmons steal, and Skiles has worked out great for this team.  My biggest concern though is that this overachieving is going to make it difficult to move Skiles once his time passes, especially in a blue collar town like Milwaukee that will favor his blue collar style over accepting the realities of the way the NBA works (especially vs college).

I know this might be met with some criticism, but it would be to the Bucks detriment to have Skiles coach this team another 3-4 years.  Guys just get sick of playing for him, he wears on them, free agents have a tendency to not want to sign onto the Skiles plan.  I think part of the underlying Del Negro move for Chi was to not have a hard@$$ like Skiles coaching when they went into this offseason with a ton of money to spend.  Granted Del Negro was clearly not the right choice, but they wanted a more attractive players type coach to entice big money free agents.  This really isn't even an attack on Skiles at all, but its just that he's more the type of coach who can get a lot of out of less talented teams that are resigned to having to dig out every loose ball and accept being screamed at for missing a block out in practice.   When everything is so new and evolving with the Bucks, he's a great coach to scrap out some wins he shouldnt, and he's largely responsible for making this season so exciting down the stretch.  But as Hammond builds the roster, he is going to have to be mindful of the dynamic between his coach and changing (hopefully more talented) team.

No.  I would much rather watch a scrappy Skiles-led team win 50 games every year than watch a bunch of lazy-ass NBA "stars" turn it on occasionally in the 4th quarter on their way to a disappointing playoff run.  That's what's wrong with the NBA and why so many prefer the college game.

[GGGG]

Burrow...the Salmons deal may not be the steal you think it is.  He can opt out of his deal after this year, which I think he might do with all the cap space available.  Then what?  Do we try to sign him back?  My guess is that we would have to overpay because you know some other team will offer more than he is probably worth.

And as for the coaching issue, there is no way they should consider getting rid of Skiles.  Most Bulls fans I know are sick that they got rid of him and replaced him with Del Negro (who was not their first choice....Doug Collins was and he's more of a controlling pretty boy than Skiles).  What is amazing to me is that he's got this team playing this way with no one who can elevate.  Seriously, there is not a single person on this team that can break you down off the dribble and get up and over the rim.  In today's NBA, that is pretty much a necessity.  

Hammonds is a great GM and Skiles is a very good coach.  You shouldn't mess with that.

[GGGG]

No.  I would much rather watch a scrappy Skiles-led team win 50 games every year than watch a bunch of lazy-ass NBA "stars" turn it on occasionally in the 4th quarter on their way to a disappointing playoff run.  That's what's wrong with the NBA and why so many prefer the college game.

I think people like the college game because of the atmosphere and the tradition, but the quality of basketball in the NBA now has frankly never been better.  It is absolutely amazing to watch what NBA players can do and how well they play together.  Joe Johnson last night was incredible.  Hands in his face all night, but his stroke was pure.  Do you know how difficult that is?

I love college basketball, but don't confuse the NBA now with the "thugball" league of 10-15 years ago.  It is so skilled and so athletic right now that it is amazing to watch come playoff time.

[MUBurrow]

And as for the coaching issue, there is no way they should consider getting rid of Skiles.  Most Bulls fans I know are sick that they got rid of him and replaced him with Del Negro (who was not their first choice....Doug Collins was and he's more of a controlling pretty boy than Skiles).  What is amazing to me is that he's got this team playing this way with no one who can elevate.  Seriously, there is not a single person on this team that can break you down off the dribble and get up and over the rim.  In today's NBA, that is pretty much a necessity.

I will concede that the (un)likelihood of the Bucks ever being able to sign a legitimate star may increase the chances of Skiles sticking around.  I absolutely agree that he is a quality coach and gets the most out of what he's got.  I just have real doubts about any major players wanting to come in and play for him.  Then again, thats why the Hammond hire was so great, because he's the only GM in recent history that I can think of to engineer championship caliber teams that weren't built around one of the leagues top 10 players at the time.  To that end, I agree with Brew City that the necessity of having a star is what makes the NBA so unappealing at times, but the reality is thats how teams win today/remain economically viable.

As for the Salmons trade, you're also right that it wasn't a long term steal.  After what Salmons showed since coming to the Bucks, and with all the $$$ teams have saved for this summer, someone will overpay him.  I hope that's not the Bucks, because I don't think his strict scoring ability, or even his leadership is worth the commitment it will take to sign him.  One guy I think would fit in perfectly would be Rip Hamilton who might be available for a similar price to what it would take to sign Salmons if the Pistons keep imploding/rebuilding at their current pace.  Point being, Salmons has been a boon this year, but those types of players are often underappreciated and available if you don't expect too much.

[martyconlonontherun]

Burrow...the Salmons deal may not be the steal you think it is.  He can opt out of his deal after this year, which I think he might do with all the cap space available.  Then what?  Do we try to sign him back?  My guess is that we would have to overpay because you know some other team will offer more than he is probably worth.

Even is Salmons leaves, it was still a great trade. We gave up Joe Alexander and Hakim Warrick, and moved up 2 spots in the draft. Without Salmons we win 5 less games in the regular season and 2 less in the playoffs.....it was a steal for what we gave up.

[GGGG]

I think the notion of a steal means we screwed the Bulls over.  The Bulls got what they wanted...cap space with expiring contracts.  We got what we wanted...a decent scorer.  It was mutually beneficial in that way.

[LON]

Unlike George Karl, Skiles keeps the windows open at the practice facility and I was lucky enough to get to stop by (was there for work) and watch for a few minutes.  They really get after each other.

It's just hard for me to get invested in the Bucks/NBA again since that travesty of a series against the 76ers in 2001.

That said, Jennings is fun to watch and I really enjoy their defensive intensity.

[GGGG]

Unlike George Karl, Skiles keeps the windows open at the practice facility and I was lucky enough to get to stop by (was there for work) and watch for a few minutes.  They really get after each other.

It's just hard for me to get invested in the Bucks/NBA again since that travesty of a series against the 76ers in 2001.

Glenn Robinson's missed lay-up in the waning seconds of Game 5...

[MUPig]

Not living in Milwaukee, this is great to be able to see the Bucks on TV.  Then again, I don't start watching the NBA until the playoffs anyway.  Certainly, not as talented as the elite teams, but they play an exciting game, with a never quit attitude.  It would be great to see them win this series, but cannot see them getting past the next round.

[Ahoya06]

Atmosphere was great in the BC last night. Definitely reminded me of 2001.

I went to many games from 2000-02, then sort of waned during the disastrous later part of that decade. This hard-working, blue collar basketball team is just amazing to watch now, and I happily purchased a half-season ticket plan for next year.

If we can steal game 5, we're in REALLY good shape.

[radome]

I don't know how to post the video but ...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Video-Bango-strikes-again-this-time-from-above?urn=nba,237019

Video: Bango strikes again, this time from above the rim
By Trey Kerby

Not to turn this Internet blog website in to Bango Don't Lie, but when a costumed deer does a backflip dunk from a ladder 10 feet above the rim, you've got to show him some love. That's been my life's mantra since I was a wee lad, and I'm not going to change it now. (Note: Don't try this at home)


This man-deer is awesome to me. Not only is that stunt cramazing (crazy + amazing), it's even better when you consider that a little more than a year ago, he tore his ACL performing a stunt on the rim. If I'm in that costume, there's no way I'm getting anywhere near a basketball hoop with my furry deer legs again. But I guess that's why I'm not Bango.

In fact, no one is Bango, except Bango. He's the LeBron James(notes) of NBA mascots. That's how far ahead of his peers he is. It's his world, and we're all just watching him dunk in it.

[Ari Gold]

sorry guys... it has nothing to do with the team or players, no doubt they're hard working and I'm aware of the surprise they've become for the NBA this year which has been great for the city BUT

I've never been able to get into NBA/Bucks. Maybe it was because the loudest thing I ever heard during a game was Gary Payton's swearing. (admittedly, when I did go to games I had great seats  ) just can't quite explain it but I don't find the NBA entertaining

[NersEllenson]

Big ups to Hammond on the Salmons steal, and Skiles has worked out great for this team.  My biggest concern though is that this overachieving is going to make it difficult to move Skiles once his time passes, especially in a blue collar town like Milwaukee that will favor his blue collar style over accepting the realities of the way the NBA works (especially vs college).

I know this might be met with some criticism, but it would be to the Bucks detriment to have Skiles coach this team another 3-4 years.  Guys just get sick of playing for him, he wears on them, free agents have a tendency to not want to sign onto the Skiles plan.  I think part of the underlying Del Negro move for Chi was to not have a hard@$$ like Skiles coaching when they went into this offseason with a ton of money to spend. 

Free agents largely sign due to the $$$, and then the city.  MKE will never be an attractive destination for free agents, regardless of if Skiles is the coach.  Lastly, I think your perception of Skiles being a hard a$$, and coach that grinds on guys after awhile..may be more of a perception than reality.  Here's a quote from todays JS from Jamal Crawford on Skiles (Coaches respect honest coaches, who know what they are doing..may not always like them..but respect is the key to getting most out of NBA players):

Crawford recalled this week how difficult that season had been for everyone involved but also said playing that one season for Skiles had left a lasting impact on him.

"He was a tough coach, but he was fair," Crawford said. "He was one of the best after-timeout coaches that I'd ever seen. He just wanted us to get better. If you defended and competed, he was fine with you. He was a great coach."

Crawford averaged 17.3 points per game that season under Skiles, who took over the team from Bill Cartwright 16 games into the season. The Bulls added Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon and Luol Deng through the draft the next season, and Crawford was traded to New York.

Even so, Crawford said some of the basic lessons he learned from playing under Skiles that season still are a part of his approach to the game.

"Just play smart," Crawford said. "He didn't care how many shots you took as long as they were good shots. Just to play smart and compete. Those were his two big things."

[drewm88]

For those who haven't seen this yet, check it out.

Fear the Deer....for real
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tTbBFthGQQ

[Markusquette]

ANYONE EXCITED??  GO BUCKS.

[4everwarriors]

I'll admit that going back to the last draft, I thought Jennings was a terrible pick even though the Bucks needed a point guard. I guess that's why John Hammonds does what he does and I do what I do.
Brandon not only is super quick, but also a very smart and knowledgeable basketball player who shoots much better than I originally thought. Absolutely tremendous selection for this team who would only be a sophomore in college, had he attended.

FEAR THE DEER

[Markusquette]

I'll admit that going back to the last draft, I thought Jennings was a terrible pick even though the Bucks needed a point guard. I guess that's why John Hammonds does what he does and I do what I do.
Brandon not only is super quick, but also a very smart and knowledgeable basketball player who shoots much better than I originally thought. Absolutely tremendous selection for this team who would only be a sophomore in college, had he attended.

FEAR THE DEER

Not to mention he was able to get a group of guys together that don't look impressive on paper, but do the exact opposite on court day in and day out.  Every player has and knows their own role, and just what Skiles and Hammond have been able to do is remarkable really.  All this without Bogut in the playoffs too...we got a group of players.

[NavinRJohnson]

Boy do I like Jennings. I watched almost the entire second half. That's about as much NBA ball as I have watched in the last year combined (an exaggeration, but you get the point). The guy is a player and I enjoy watching him kinda the way I like watching Wade.

[mu_hilltopper]

Amazing that the Bucks haven't won a playoff series in a decade.  And another decade before that one, too. 

What a huge success if they can win just one more.

[Hards Alumni]

2001... not quite a decade.

and I wouldn't call it too surprising :-P

[Moonboots]

Full disclosure, I jumped on the bandwagon late in the season as I'm sure many have, and I'm not ashamed to say it. The NBA was boring to me for much of the last decade. I still don't enjoy watching games that are dominated by one player. Kobe vs. LeBron has very little intrigue to me. But this Bucks team... they play like a unit. They spread the ball around. It's a lot of fun. I'm impressed.

In fact, I bought tickets to game 6 earlier this week, and went to Grand Avenue to buy a long sleeve red Bucks tee shirt, my first piece of Bucks apparel since 2001. Tomorrow should be awesome.

[Stringer Bellenson]

For whatever reason, despite the fact that Skiles has proven he's a guy who gets nba teams that are mediocre on paper to overachieve, players seem to eventually grow tired of his act.  Whether or not that will happen with the Bucks remains to be seen.  If for some reason it doesn't work out, he'll likely continue as a type of mercenary nba coach who serves as a "fixer" or stabilizer of organizations finding themselves in volatile situations.  However, if I were some college athelic director I would definitely give Skiles a call; even if he cant recruit he can field a team of rudy reutigers and get them to play balls to the wall defense and give 110%.  He would be an awesome college coach.  Moreover, if I were a h.s. recruit, I would probably want to roll with Skiles simply because I like his style as a player and coach on the court, and as a wildman off the court.  Whether it be his 30 assists in a game, proven track record in nba and europe as a coach, trying to fight his giant teammate shaq, approaching shawn kempesque numbers in the illegitimate children department, his hard partying past, pen time, and no snitching (some say it wasn't his blow), there's alot to like about him.  Work hard, play hard.

[4everwarriors]

Fear The Fawn.


Never have thought much of Woodson's coaching ability and still don't. But, he found a way to dictate the tempo, clog the middle, and therefore take both Jennings and Salmons out of it. We'll see if Skiles has an answer.

[wadesworld]

Well it was fun while it lasted.  Without Bogut we just don't have enough players.  There is no reason we took this series to 7 games other than great team effort, but that will only take you so far when the opponent has their backs against the wall.  The Hawks have 6 of the 7 (MAYBE 8 with Salmons in there) best players in the series, much more size and athleticism, and are healthy.

The Hawks realized that if they just don't leave Jennings and Salmons nobody else can create a shot, and they did just that, so we couldn't score.

Looking forward to next season, especially if we can get a scoring power forward (or shooting guard if Salmons opts out, which I'm thinking he will) in the draft.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

just can't quite explain it but I don't find the NBA entertaining

Because it is not interesting.....if the ref's/players would ever play by the rules of basketball it may be different...NBA is very boring 1 on 1..2 on 2 basketball....not the way the game was meant to be played. 

[MUBurrow]

there's a lot of criticism of the NBA and how it handles its officials, etc in turning the NBA game into what it is today.  some of that is rightfully placed on the league, but I think the athletic development of players today has contributed to what the NBA has become as much as anything.  in much the same way that everything down to the dimensions of the field are scrutinized in the NFL due to the unforeseen growth in size and athleticism of players, there is only so much that can be done in the NBA to ensure both that players showcase their athletic talents and that they play a brand of basketball that resembles the historical product.

[GGGG]

I agree with Burrow here.  The best offense that an NBA team can run is to spread the floor and to drive and dish.  Any help has to be quick and contact inevitably occurs.  And when they dish and hit the open guy, that guy will hit the shot often.  What happens when you run a more "traditional" offense is that quickness and length of the defenders just clogs everything up.  NBA games from 25 years ago look so strange because the players are comparatively much smaller and slower.  To me, it's hard to blame the NBA...the game is just different.

And I don't know how the game was "meant to be played."  It is what it is.  Just like the NFL runs open, pass-happy offenses that 50 years ago would have never been considered, the game changes.

[pillardean]

Because it is not interesting.....if the ref's/players would ever play by the rules of basketball it may be different...NBA is very boring 1 on 1..2 on 2 basketball....not the way the game was meant to be played.  

Interesting...
Some would say it's intelligent basketball to utilize mismatches in a 1 on 1 situation rather than passing the ball back and forth like a "team."  Do you not like seeing set plays to get mismatches or aren't you able to recognize them?

[pillardean]

Great run by the Young Bucks.  They shouldn't hang there head at all.

Hopefully next year they play hard, tough like they did this year and perhaps make it to the second round.  That'd be nice going into their Free Agent Year (2011 when Redd and Gad get off the books).

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Interesting...
Some would say it's intelligent basketball to utilize mismatches in a 1 on 1 situation rather than passing the ball back and forth like a "team."  Do you not like seeing set plays to get mismatches or aren't you able to recognize them?

I love watching basketball...anyone that says the NBA is basketball is fooling themselves.

[GGGG]

I love watching basketball...anyone that says the NBA is basketball is fooling themselves.

I see this stuff mentioned all the time, but I have no idea what it means.  How is the NBA "not basketball?"  Then tell me, what is basketball?  Does it necessitate the use of peach baskets and/or ball-hugging shorts?

I'm sorry, but you sound like my dad who, when Favre was racking up MVPs, would lament that the Packers weren't running Lombardi's power sweep enough.

[reinko]

I love watching basketball...anyone that says the NBA is basketball is fooling themselves.

Check out this sweet bounce pass!

[ATWizJr]

Amazing that the Bucks haven't won a playoff series in a decade.  And another decade before that one, too. 

What a huge success if they can win just one more.

Still a huge success for me.  Greatly exceeded expectations.  Does show the need they have for Bogut to be healthy. 

[martyconlonontherun]

I see this stuff mentioned all the time, but I have no idea what it means.  How is the NBA "not basketball?"  Then tell me, what is basketball?  Does it necessitate the use of peach baskets and/or ball-hugging shorts?

I'm sorry, but you sound like my dad who, when Favre was racking up MVPs, would lament that the Packers weren't running Lombardi's power sweep enough.

I don't understand it either. NBA teams play a style of offense that gives him the best chance to win the game based on the players they have. It's not like Marquette has such a great structure of offense of a billion plays. All they do is swing and drive because that is want best fit their talent. It's ironic that the same people that complain about the NBA makes fun of the Badgers team-oriented style.
Also, the level of defense at the NBA level is so much higher than college. There's a reason why high-scorers in college don't always make it to the NBA.

And I love how people are quick to call NBA players thug. Look at the Bucks team right now... Bogut no....Delfino no...Ersan no....Salmons (extremely religious) no....Bell no...Redd (extremeness religious) no....Even jennings is more punk than a thug. He's just cocky but not a person that is going to get into legal problems. Even our MU team, which is one of the better behaved teams in the nation, was basically causing a riot outside of OP on Saturday night with street bikes and stuff.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

I love the between the legs free throw.

I am not advocating anything old school.

To clarify myself, I just get frustrated with the "non calls" by officials....meaning all the traveling and carrying of the ball that goes on.  The logic that a player has to earn his "stripes" before he starts getting calls in his favor.  Then again one could argue baseball umpires do the same thing as far as seniority.

[Ari Gold]

this is another reason why I don't watch the NBA
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1934565
Someone justify the officiating in an NBA game... GO