Krause's Corner
with Dennis Krause

NELSON JUST CAN'T STAY AWAY
While the Bucks were routing Don Nelson's Golden State Warriors by 21 points Tuesday night, the Dallas Mavericks were handily winning their 13th straight game. The Mavs have set an NBA record by ripping off three winning streaks of at least 12 games this season. They boast the league's best record while Golden State is sinking deeper below .500. For me, the juxtaposition was striking. Nelson was the guy who turned the Dallas franchise around but he's not reaping the rewards. Instead, he's started the long climb up another NBA hill with the Warriors.

In a classy move, Bucks coach Terry Stotts wore a fish tie Tuesday night at the Bradley Center as a tribute to Nelson. Back in the 1980's, Nelson won a lot of games in those ties as the coach of the Bucks.

Even though it might look like Nelson has taken a step back to return to coach with Golden State, Nelson doesn't look at it that way. At the age of 66, he returned to the league from his comfortable island estate and doesn't seem to regret it. "I am enjoying coaching. I'm just having a ball with this team. I just wish we were a little bit better but we are what we are. They're young guys. They play hard and they work hard. I have no complaints," said Nelson.

Don Nelson hasn't won an NBA title as a head coach. He's made some enemies along the way. But as the second-winningest coach in NBA history with over 1,200 victories, it's a travesty that he's not in the Basketball Hall of Fame. He's not even a finalist this year. That's a joke.

NELSON ON BOGUT
Before Tuesday's game, I asked Nelson about the development of Bucks center Andrew Bogut.

"I always thought he was a good player and I still do. He's not a star player but he plays a position that's hard to find. I think he's doing a fine job," Nelson said. I bet Nelson would have loved to have had Bogut back in the Bucks years between Bob Lanier and Jack Sikma.

REDD'S RETURN
The Bucks lost their first game with Michael Redd back in the starting lineup to Detroit on Tuesday night, but Redd is keeping a positive attitude. "It's good to be back around again. Sometimes, at times you feel like you're not a part because I wasn't playing. Just frustrated so (this return) is something I've anticipated for awhile. I've just got to ease my way back into it and just find my way. The team has been playing a certain style of basketball and I have to adjust to that."

I asked Michael before the game for the Bucks Radio Network if the season could be saved.

"Aboslutely. We're still in it. We have to have that mindset that we have to win every game. Now, I don't know if we're gonna win every game but we have to have that mindset that we can win every game. Our schedule favors us the second half of the season. We'll be at home a lot so that helps."

FEBRUARY TRADE
Seeing the Pistons in town with the trading deadline approaching brings back to mind the February 4, 1980 trade between the Bucks and Detroit. Hall of Famer Bob Lanier came to Milwaukee for Kent Benson and a first round draft pick, which ended up being Larry Drew. Even though Lanier's knees were balking and he was past his prime, he was an outstanding big man for Don Nelson's Bucks in the '80's. He's still the second-best center the Bucks have ever had, behind only Kareem.

BUCKS ALL-STAR GAME HISTORY
Playing in the Rookie Challenge for the Sophomores, Andrew Bogut will be the Bucks representative at NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. The Bucks certainly have a rich history with the All-Star Game.

Player Appearances: The Bucks have had 17 different players make the All-Star Game. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was selected to the squad a club-record six times. Sidney Moncrief made five appearances, including three as a starter. Marques Johnson was a four-time All-Star with the Bucks and made two starts in the game. Bob Dandridge, Vin Baker and Ray Allen made three All-Star appearances as Bucks. Dandridge and Brian Winters were somewhat unlikely starters (ballot stuffing?) in the 1976 All-Star Game. The only other Bucks to start in an All-Star Game were Kareem, Marques Johnson and Sidney Moncrief. The first Bucks All-Star? None other than Jon McGlocklin in the 1969 game in Baltimore. He scored two points in seven minutes.

Host: The 1977 All-Star Game was held at the MECCA. The West beat the East 125-124. Julius Erving was named the game's MVP. The event was certainly not what it is now. NBA Commissioner David Stern reflected on the '77 game in Milwaukee with the Houston Chronicle last year. "We got the owners, all of our guests, all the media and anyone else who wanted a room in the Pfister. That's it. Now we're in 25 hotels and we're 100 rooms short," said Stern.

Coach: Larry Costello won both of the All-Star Games in which he guided the West squad as the coach of the Bucks. In 1971, the West beat the East 108-107 in San Diego. In 1974, the West prevailed 134-123 in Seattle.

No MVP's: Because of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, it might surprise you that the Bucks have never had the MVP of the All-Star Game. In fact, Kareem never won the award despite a record 18 appearances. Oscar won three All-Star Game MVP's while with Cincinnati (1961, '64 and '69). Other former Bucks who won the award with other teams were Dave Cowens (1973 for Boston), Bob Lanier (1974 for Detroit), and Nate Archibald (1981 for Boston).

REDD'S RETURN
2-13. You want to know how important Michael Redd is to the Bucks? 2-13 is their record since he went down with an injury. In an interview for the Bucks Radio Network, Michael told me that he's not a very good spectator, especially when his team is struggling. "Yeah it's kinda painful. It really is disappointing to see the team lose the games--the majority we're in 'em. It is frustrating sitting at home because I've never been hurt before. To sit at home and watch the guys lose is real frustrating. To know I could help, it hurts."

While out with the injury, Michael learned that was passed over for a reserve spot with the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game. He admits to deep disappointment. "Yeah, totally. Out of the last three years, this is probably the most disappointing one. You'd just like to be rewarded for what you do. We were playing .500 basketball before the injury and playing really well. Unfortunately the injury happened but I didn't think it warranted me not being on that team. You learn from it. It's all in how you react with adversity. I have a wife and child on the way so everything's not totally bad."

Now, Michael is poised to return to the court--with a renewed sense of appreciation for the game. "Man, I tell you what. I love my wife and I love being at home but I love playing basketball. That's what I do. You really miss it, you really do. It's frustrating to sit at home and not be able to run or do anything. You gotta just sit there. I miss the game and I think the fans will see how well I miss the game when I get back on the court."

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