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Mailbag #3
Posted on December 17, 2007 at 2:02 p.m. | Questions answered by Jim Paschke

Why doesn’t Larry K start Bobby Simmons over Desmond Mason? I read the sports page every day and one of the things that was stressed was “gaining the lead from the opening tip.” I think our chances would be much better with a jump shooter in Simmons on the floor. (Michael Holliman)

Michael, there are several answers to your question. Desmond sets an energy and defensive tone that is very helpful at the start of games. Also, Larry Krystkowiak held an open training camp, meaning that the player that earned the spot would get the spot. As of this answer, Desmond has a better free throw percentage than Bobby, and has an edge in points per game, rebounds per game and assists per game numbers. The Bucks always intended to give Bobby a full year to recover from his surgery. That year will expire in January.

What seems to be the Bucks’ biggest trouble with winning lately? It seems like they have been playing defense but not winning. (Andrew Kahl)

Andrew, as you know, the Bucks have had a few slow starts to games and a few tough finishes. The growing pains are due somewhat to having new players and a new coach. Confidence to close out games is a learned skill over time and repetition. The good news may be that the Bucks are in enough games for us to be concerned with their ability to close them out. This is a high priority with the coach and players.

It seems that whenever we play our zone defense, it always fails. It seems that there is someone always open for three and then they make it and it hurts us a lot. Why does the zone not work very good? (Zach Voelker)

Zach, most NBA teams play zone defense sporadically, so they don’t get a lot of time to become adjusted to them. The Bucks use zones after time outs and at the start of quarters most often. They will also use a zone to slow down a particularly hot player from time to time. NBA players are so talented that a zone isn’t as effective as in college. Opponents figure it out easily. It’s tough to be effective when you play it “off and on.” This is true of most teams in the league.

What made Andrew Bogut decide to shave his head? (Steve)

Earlier this season I asked Andrew why he chose a new look. He simply said, “I just wanted to try something different.” Even old guys like me change their look every 35 or 40 years, just to get some mojo going. Steve, have you noticed that Andrew is a little quicker this season?

My question relates to Coach Krystkowiak. I am wondering how he develops a rotation/substitution pattern and why does it seem to be different every game? One game, Mo Williams and Michael Redd get little or no rest in the second half of a game, but then the next game, he leaves both of them on the bench (Sacramento) throughout a 12-2 run to open the 4th quarter and basically costs them the game. Any thoughts? (Mike Kuolt)

Mike, as you know, the Bucks have had the same starting five all season and they and Philadelphia are the only teams that can say that. Larry’s rotations are based on match-ups and “feel” which change every night. He also rewards effort and defensive aggressiveness, so that changes nightly as well. When the bench is on the court and a lead is evaporating, Larry has to make changes that work that night in that game. I think it is interesting to watch the different combinations. It gives us a chance to think along with the coach and try to understand what he is seeing.

I have become a Bucks fan in the last two seasons and follow every game even though I am a million miles away in Australia. I like the way the NBA encourages teams to head overseas to play in the off-season and pre-season. Is there a chance that the Bucks would come to Australia with Andrew Bogut? (Rob Cotterill)

First of all Rob, I would love to have the Bucks play a pre-season game in Australia. Now that would be a great trip. As you know, Europe and China are the current foreign hot spots for basketball. The NBA, like all businesses, goes where the numbers are. That is true for pre-season games as well as global telecasts.

Do you think the Bucks are missing a piece? I mean Michael Redd, Mo and Andrew are doing good, but I think they’re missing a key piece. (Kenton Rouse)

Kenton, I think more than missing a piece, the Bucks often miss a fourth player stepping up on a given night. When they have gotten a fourth solid performance to go with Michael Redd, Mo Williams and Andrew Bogut, they have played successfully. I think Yi Jianlian will develop into that consistent fourth option. We are seeing that already. It’s just a matter of consistency.

Why don’t the Bucks run more plays for Yi? I think they need to get him more involved. (Josh Gensch)

Josh, your question is perfect after Kenton’s. The Bucks actually run very few plays for any one player. The team is built around passing, and movement rather than isolation plays. I think Yi creates his own opportunities very well in the team concept. This team will be most successful if they move, pass, and keep the defense guessing.

What part of the Bucks’ game will they have to improve in order to overcome the close gam losses that they encounter? They had tight games with Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, and a couple of other good teams. (Darrell Harris)

Darrell, are you related to Larry and Del? Good question. Late game execution is what separates teams in the NBA. The good ones get it done. The Bucks are getting enough close games and are learning what it takes. Once in a while, we see the Bucks go away from passing and team-play late. When they do that, unless Michael Redd goes crazy, it’s tough to win. They will learn what it takes to close teams out.

Is it possible that the Bucks could be more of a running team as far as the offense goes? And is Andrew Bogut going to be the dominant center for the Bucks to win a championship? (Adam Duriano)

To be a good running team, you must defend and rebound so that you can run off the opponent’s missed shots and mistakes that you create. The Bucks have shown they can do that at times. As for Andrew, there aren’t many dominant centers in the "classic style" these days. It is a quicker, more athletic game, which Bogut fits quite well. He fits the Bucks motion, cutting, and passing offense quite well.

Thanks for the excellent questions. I’ll wait for the next batch.

Ted, after notching five straight wins including wins over the Lakers and Dallas, the Bucks suffered back-to-back loses to Philly and Atlanta. I noticed that the defense looked bad and the Bucks looked tired. What adjustments will Coach K make to remedy this? (Junie Dee)

The solution to any slump is a win. Just get a win!!! It clears the air, renews the confidence and restores belief in the system. That's it. Just get a win!!!!

As an Australian and a massive Andrew Bogut fan, it would be interesting to know your views on how you think Bogut is progressing as an NBA player, especially as a number one draft pick. I was in The States earlier this year and went to the Bucks vs. Celtics game in April. However, unfortunately Andrew was injured and I didn't get to see him play. I watch the highlights of every match and and try to catch many Bucks games on T.V. when they are shown. (Kyle Wright)

Andrew Bogut has become a better and more aggressive rebounder this season and has added shot blocking to his game. This has made him a better defensive player. He is still capable of drawing offensive fouls but isn't flopping as much as he did in his first two seasons. Bogut also has more muscle on his frame and taking a summer off has given him fresh legs to start the season.

Ted, I have been a fan of Danny G since he has been with the Bucks and I cannot understand why he does not see more minutes. Everyone knows he isn't the best offensive player, but he does a lot of other things very well: rebounds, defends, runs the court, hustles, keeps plays alive, etc. Is there any particular reason, even after Larry Harris stated in the preseason that this was the year we were going to see why they gave Danny G all that money, that he isn't being used more (11 mpg) in the rotation? (Luke Weigel)

The issue with Gadruzic has always been consistency. He can be terrific one night and almost invisible the next. Plus, with him hitting below 30% at the free throw line, it is difficult to keep him on the floor, especially in the fourth quarter.

I've noticed a greater defensive presence from the Bucks this year. Is this the emphasis of Krystowiak's coaching staff? (John Mortellaro)

From the start of training camp Larry K has stressed defense. And the Bucks have shown signs of progress. Then they will take a step back and look like the did last year. But the Bucks did work on defense a great deal of time in practice and if they don't improve this season it will not be due to lack of effort or attention.

I’ve noticed Charlie Bell has struggled this season and that his time has gone down significantly from last season. What’s the story there? (Matt Landsverk)

Charlie Bell is in a deep shooting slump. As I answer this he is under 30%. For Larry K, this has presented a dilemma. Charlie Bell will not come out of the slump unless he continues to play and shoot when he has a shot. Perhaps if he has a game where he goes 6 of 8 or 7 of 10, that will restore his confidence.

Which team is a more accurate representation of the Bucks team we’ll see this season? The team that beat Cleveland, the Lakers and Dallas? Or the team that lost to Philly and Atlanta? (Andy Green)

Both. They are good enough to win five in a row and beat Cleveland, the Lakers and Dallas. But they are not good enough to overlook or take lightly the under .500 teams like Philadelphia, Atlanta and the Knicks. In the NBA there is a fine line between winning and losing. College teams can load up a non-conference season with cupcakes. There are no cupcakes in the NBA.

Would the Bucks consider bringing Ramon Sessions up from the D-League even if someone on the active roster doesn’t get hurt? He’s playing really, really well in Tulsa. (Randy Neill)

Ramon Sessions has been a pleasant surprise with his play in the D-League. I believe that he has a future in the league. Unless there is an injury to Mo Williams, Charlie Bell or Royal Ivey he will probably stay in the D-League, however. Sessions is a prime example of why the D-league was formed. He is much better served by playing rather than sitting on the end of the Bucks bench all season.

Jim, my question has to do with David Noel, I see his name listed on the roster but I haven't seen him in the rotation yet. Would this be because he is injured, not performing well or is he in Coach K's doghouse? (Mark Georgetti)

Mark, I think David has been caught in a “numbers” game on a very deep team. It is very likely that David will be assigned to the NBA Developmental League so that he can get playing time and develop further. He just wouldn’t get much playing time with the Bucks as long as everyone is healthy. Remember, if David goes to the D-League, he can be called up at any time.

I've noticed that the NBA has been bringing several players in from the D-League. Do you think it's possible that the Bucks could try to bring back Darvin Ham? The reason I ask is because I always thought Darvin brought excitement and lots of energy to the floor. (Brandon Smith)

Brandon, any team can call up any D-League player, so you never know. Last season, Darvin did pre- and post-game television analysis for the Dallas Mavericks. He played for the Mavericks during the 2007 pre-season before being drafted by Albuquerque with the third pick in the D-League draft. The Thunderbirds will open the D-League season November 23rd against Joe Wolf’s Idaho Stampede. By the way, Jeff Ruland is coaching Darvin in Albuquerque. I wouldn’t mind seeing the “Ham Slamwich” back in the Bradley Center.

I was just wondering is Ersan Ilyasova still in the long term plan or will they draft a 3 in the first round of 2008 NBA draft? (Maurice Ellis)

The Bucks are keeping a close eye on Ersan as he plays for AXA FC Barcelona in the Spanish League this season. The Bucks continue to hold his rights should Ersan return to the NBA. It’s hard to predict the 2008 draft. Larry Harris will likely continue his sound practice of taking the best player available regardless of position. Thanks Maurice.

Which player do you compare Yi Jianlian to? (Mo Nouri)

Back to Back Mos. How about that? Well, Mo, most NBA people like to compare Yi’s game to Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas, a seven-footer who can run and shoot from the perimeter. Those who know tell me that Yi is quite a bit more developed that Dirk at a similar age. I think that Yi would make a great original, rather than being a “copy” of another player. He has that much talent and a very high basketball IQ from what I can tell.

I am a student in China. I like the style of your team, especially Yi Jianlian. I was wondering when your team will come to China to play a game? (Zai Song)

Zai, thanks for the question. We would like to think that the Bucks will be invited to visit China for a pre-season game or two prior to the 2009-2010 season. The Bucks may have been considered for the pre-season in 2008, if the Olympic Games were not being held in Beijing so close to the beginning of the NBA season. Wouldn’t it be a great event if Yao and Yi were able to play pre-season games in their home country?

As the year goes on who do you think will get more of the starts at small forward? Will Mason continue of will Bobby Simmons start to get some? (Dave Fuchs)

Dave, I thought Desmond would be the likely starter at the beginning of the season because of his defensive ability, and the fact that as a slasher, he gives the Bucks starting unit more balance. Bobby Simmons is a very good open shooter, so defenders have to play up on him, which stretches the defense for others. Both are such great contributors that Larry Kystkowiak will have the ability to choose between them depending on match-ups. It’s a “class” problem as we say.

Six games does not a season make. But will this team adjust/adapt enough to the coaching/personnel changes in order for them to turn the numbers around in their favor (e.g. high-scoring offense and a throttling defense vs. what has happened so far)? (Jeffrey Graw)

As I answer your question, Jeff, the Bucks are a .500 team at 4-4 with a 4-0 home record. Not bad at this point given the toughness of the schedule. I think we’ll see some adjustments in time as the team relates to a new coach and several new players. We have seen potent offense and defense at times, so I think the team will find a way to click on all of those cylinders from time to time. How often will determine their ultimate success, but the opportunity is certainly there with this team and coaching staff. I’m a beliver.

For the team’s 40th Anniversary, are they planning on bringing some of the older players back this year? (Jeff Luedtke)

Good question, Jeff. (What’s with consecutive questions from similarly named fans?) The Bucks will celebrate and salute both former teams and players as we work our way through season number forty. It starts on November 21st, as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will return to Milwaukee as the Bucks re-dedicate his number 33 banner. It will be a great night. Stay tuned for many other special events. Also, the Bucks are providing fans with various gifts prior to each home game this season.

What ever happened to the Bucks’ rights to Andre Hutson who they drafted from Michigan State a few years ago? (M.M.)

Michigan State’s Andre Hutson was drafted by the Bucks in 2001 with the 52nd pick. He was waived without playing in Milwaukee, so the Bucks no longer retain his rights. Hutson has had a decent career in Europe, with a couple of training camp invitations from NBA teams. After stints in Italy, Greece and Russia, he is currently playing for Efes Pilsen S.K. in Turkey.

Hello, Jim. My son and I attended the Rockets/Bucks game in Houston on Friday. I really like the make-up of our team. I believe that if the Bucks can play .500 ball until the All-Star break, that this team could really take-off in the second half and possibly make it to the second round of the playoffs. Does this sound plausible or am I completely off my onion? Keep up the great work, Jim. (Lee Harrington)

Lee, I like the way you think. I think this is a playoff team, and agree that if they jell properly, and get on a good late run, I don’t see why the Bucks couldn’t reach the second round. I would like to see the Bucks continue to protect the home court, and if they can, I believe things will work out well. I really think Larry Kystkowiak has a great handle on this NBA coaching thing and will keep the respect of the players. Thanks, Lee, and keep eating those onions.