If Senator Kohl is at Media Day, he'll be asked about the Bucks long-term future in Milwaukee with questions about the Bradley Center lease, the chances for a new arena eventually and how long he plans to own the team.

TRIVIA TIME
Q: What is the Bucks record for the most overtimes played in one game?

A: Five. The Bucks beat Seattle 155-154 in five overtimes on November 9, 1989 at the Bradley Center. Ricky Pierce led the Bucks with 36 points. Dale Ellis scored 53 for the Sonics. No other Bucks game has gone beyond three overtimes. The Bucks record for most points in a game is 166, scored in a triple overtime loss (171-166) to San Antonio on March 6,1982.

THE KRAUSE AWARDS
I have no trophies to give out and certainly no cash to dispense. The Krause Awards are simply a way to recognize certain personal favorites in Bucks history.
Simply The Best: Kareem. He transformed an expansion team into a world champion almost overnight. I'm not sure we'll ever see such an immense talent again in a Bucks uniform. We can only hope.

Leadership Awards: Oscar Robertson and Bob Lanier.

Smoothest Shot: Ray Allen. The ball seemed like a feather coming out of his hands. I'm not sure I ever saw a bead of sweat on his forehead in all the years he played for the Bucks.

Rags-to-Riches: Michael Redd. An inspiring story of a humble guy who worked hard to progress from a second round draft pick who wasn't even on the active roster to a solid sub to starter to all-star.

All-Underrated: Marques Johnson, Bobby Dandridge and Terry Cummings. Does history really do justice to how good they were?

Solid As A Rock: Sidney Moncrief, Junior Bridgeman, Lindsey Hunter, Johnny Newman, Scott Williams, Elliot Perry, Jack Sikma, Ervin Johnson and Michael Curry. Good guys. Steady and intelligent.

Best Attitude: Jimmy Carruth. He played only four games for the Bucks in the '96-'97 season but I will never forget his childlike enthusiasm just to be part of an NBA team. He savored each moment in a way I only wish I could.

Lifetime Achievement: Jon McGlocklin. No one comes close. Has anyone been a more positive ambassador for the entire life of the franchise?

THE SPECIAL MOMENTS
As Bucks season gets closer, I look forward to those moments. The moments each season which will linger in the memory. The spectacular dunk on the alleyoop. The no-look pass. The barrage of 3-pointers. Taking the charge. The steal at halfcourt followed by a breakaway slam. The clutch free throw. More than anything, it's that feeling of anticipation when there are five seconds left in a tie game and the Bradley Center crowd is on its feet as the Bucks come out of the huddle. The ball is taken out at midcourt and then.....(That's what we'll have to wait to find out.)

TRIVIA TIME
Q: I played high school and college basketball in the state of Wisconsin and later briefly played for the Knicks. My dad is a legend around here. He played for the Knicks, too. So did my uncle. They're both in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Who am I?

A: Allie McGuire. After starring at Marquette University, he played 2 games for the Knicks. His dad, the late Al McGuire, played three seasons for the Knicks from 1951-'54. Allie's uncle, Dick McGuire, played with the Knicks from 1949-'57. Dick later coached the Knicks and then became a longtime scout and advisor for the New York organization.

OPPORTUNITY FOR BUCKS
The Brewers season was sabotaged by injuries. The Packers figure to struggle with a young team. The combination means an opportunity for the Bucks. Sports fans in Milwaukee and Wisconsin are hungry for a winner. The media will give more air time and newspaper space to a winner because they're "hot". If the Bucks can get off to a good start, they can create a buzz at the Bradley Center and in the state sports scene.

NO EXOTIC LOCALE
I'm very impressed and interested in the recent blogs on bucks.com from Larry Harris in Japan and Terry Stotts in Africa. I'm proud to be writing to you from Thiensville. My travel budget is low.

HALL OF FAME SPEECHES
I always enjoy watching the Basketball Hall of Fame ceremonies and the speeches of the inductees. Of the three former NBA players, Dominique Wilkins did a very nice job and was gracious despite previously being snubbed by the Hall voters. Charles Barkley may be the media darling but I find nothing funny in joking about all of the times he was arrested but acquitted. My favorite was Joe Dumars. I would like to play his speech for every current NBA player and every aspiring young basketball player. You can be a great player and still be humble. Carrying yourself with class and dignity never goes out of style.

NAME GAME
As a sequel to our Bucks name game (see July 19 archive), here are some names from the Official Basketball Encyclopedia of past and present pro basketball players put into a unique context.

Fitting Names For Basketball: Cedric Ball, Mike Champion, Gerald Glass, Ronald Horn, John Rock, Neal Walk

Good Eatin': Henry Bacon, Dennis Nutt, John Olive, Glen Rice, Von Wafer

Harvest Time: Cotton Nash, DeJuan Wheat

Lucrative: Cornelius Cash, Eric Money, Marcus Banks

Atlas: Herk Baltimore, Larry Boston, Dallas Comegys, Allan Houston

Royalty: Bernard King, Donald Royal, Tayshaun Prince, Royal Ivey

Heavenly: Frederick Christ, Daniel Godfread, Christian Munk, God Shammgod

Flying High: Larry Bird, Fly Williams, Mark Crow, Rory Sparrow, Sonny Dove

Water Sports: Matthew Fish, Brandon Bass, Derek Fisher, Kendall Gill, John Salmons, DeWayne Scales, Bruce Seals

Romantic: Jalen Rose, Bob Doll

The Hounds: Jerry Baskerville

I'm Proud to be an American: World B. Free, Marcus Liberty

Feeling Good About Life: Happy Hairston, Rudy Gay, Jack Smiley

Long and Short Of It: Johnny High, Wayne Hightower, Purvis Short, John Long, Eugene Stump

Water Works: Manny Leaks, Doc Rivers

Presidential: Tom Hoover, Norm Nixon, Eugene Kennedy, Gus Johnson, Kermit Washington, Chris Ford, Mark Jackson,Brian Taylor, Alvin Adams, Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter, Earl Monroe, Paul Pierce, Horace Grant, Reggie Harding, Chris Taft, Greg Fillmore, Garfield Heard, Elvin Hayes, David Harrison, Michael Wilson, Terry Tyler

Fast Times: Bob Quick, Speedy Claxton, Robert Swift

Great Qualities: Keith Smart, Robert Tough

TRIVIA TIME
Q: What player holds the record for most points in a game by an opponent against the Bucks?

A: Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz scored 61 points in Salt Lake City on January 27, 1990. He had just been snubbed for the All-Star Game and took out his frustrations. The Jazz won 144-96.

MISSING MICHAEL
I'm not saying Michael Redd would have turned bronze into gold by himself---but he certainly would have helped Team USA in the World Championships. His 3-point shooting figures to make him a valuable member of the team in the next two years. Michael asked to be excused from this summer's competition because of his wedding. Kobe Bryant and Chauncey Billups also should be a big help for Coach K's roster. It will be easier to bump guys since they didn't bring home the gold. Knowing how North Carolina guy George Karl feels about Duke and Coach K, I have to think that George feels a bit of redemption for the heat he took coaching in the 2002 World Championships. I think basketball fans and media here in America have to get past the arrogance of being shocked when the U.S. loses. It's not our birthright to play the best team basketball. Those days are gone. The NBA did a great job of exporting the sport and other countries have built seasoned and savvy teams. Now it's up to American players and coaches to respond with hard work and intelligence. Deal with it.

GRIZZLY INJURY
Spain's gold medal-winning performance was bittersweet for Jerry West, Mike Fratello and the Memphis Grizzlies. Pau Gasol suffered a broken foot which could sideline him for three months--taking him out of the entire preseason and at least the first month of the NBA regular season.

BUCKS AND BREWERS VERY DIFFERENT STORIES
Comparisons between the Bucks and the Brewers and their level of success are common in Milwaukee. I find it amusing because it's almost an insult to the Bucks. They have won so much more than the Brewers that this is more than just comparing apples and oranges. It's not even close.

This is not about hating the Brewers. I love the Brewers. This is about cold, hard numbers. Facts. Take the emotion out of it and simply look at the collective bodies of work.

I am aware that these are two very different sports with two very different requirements for postseason play. I've tried to reduce this analysis to one basic criteria--winning percentage. After 38 seasons, the Bucks winning percentage is .537. This is the Brewers 37th season in Milwaukee and their winning percentage is .472 through September 4th.

A more dramatic way to look at it is that the Bucks are 228 games OVER .500 (1,656-1,428) and the Brewers are 326 games UNDER .500 (2,761-3,087). I did not count the Seattle Pilots season of 1969.

The ultimate goal of a professional sports team is to win a championship. The Bucks won the 1971 NBA title and lost in the finals in 1974. The Brewers have never won the World Series. They won the American League pennant in 1982 but lost in the World Series.

The Bucks have had 22 winning seasons out of 38. The Brewers have had 10 out of 36 (about to be 37). Less weight can be put on postseason appearances because the NBA allows so many more teams to qualify than Major League Baseball. For the record, the Bucks have made the playoffs 25 times. The Brewers have qualified for postseason play twice, once during the strike-shortened season of 1981. The Bucks have won 13 division titles. The Brewers have won one over a full season.

Even if you want to look at the franchises since 2000, the Bucks come out way on top. The Brewers have continued baseball's second-longest playoff drought that dates back to 1982. Only Washington/Montreal's drought, going back to 1981, is longer. The Brewers have not even had a winning season since 1992. Meanwhile, the Bucks have made the playoffs four out of the last six years. While it's true that three of those berths came with 42-40, 41-41 and 40-42 records, it also can't be ignored that the Bucks came within one victory of the NBA Finals just five years ago.

The Bucks suffered some ridicule last season even when they made the playoffs. The Brewers much-hyped season is ending with familiar disappointment. Perceptions aren't always accurate. Numbers are.

TRIVIA TIME
Q: A daily double. Who has played in more regular season games than anybody else in Bucks history? Who has played in the most playoff games for the Bucks?

A: Junior Bridgeman played in 711 regular season games for Milwaukee. Sidney Moncrief played in 88 playoff games for the Bucks.

Krause's Corner Archives