Bucks Beat

By Jim Paschke, Bucks Broadcaster

George Karl insisted that Milwaukee's preseason goal was to win a playoff series. Mission accomplished, after the Bucks beat the Orlando Magic 3-1 in the opening round.

Back in September, the coaching staff thought that a division championship was achievable, but a tall order for a team that had never performed under scrutiny. The growth, maturity and resolve this team has developed over the course of the season, is as impressive as it is remarkable.

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This is truly a team, which is why Bucks fans have embraced this group and its success. This team-fan relationship has been fun to watch, however ear splitting the support can be. We will remember your signs, screams, painted faces and the incredible effect you have had on the Bucks great home court advantage. The Bucks thank you for your continued support. Hopefully you'll have a lot more to cheer about.

Until then, enjoy an edition of "Bucks Beat" that features random thoughts and observations from a truly random mind. Enjoy.

Best Bucks Post-Season play: At least through Game 3 in Round 2, Ray Allen's coast-to-coast jaunt in Game 2 against Charlotte's P.J. Brown takes honors. Ray sprinted to the basket, launched and appeared to be leaning toward a finger roll. In mid-air, he flipped on the after-burners, elevated with a blast and hammered down a dunk. It was stunning.

Best Line of the Playoffs: Derrick Coleman saying "This is the time of year that I shine" prior to the second round. Note: Derrick Coleman has never reached the second round before this season. We'll chalk that one up to wishful thinking.

Best Disappearing act: Again, Mr. Coleman in Game 2 against the Bucks. Early in the fourth quarter, "D. C." simply walked from the bench to the locker room after a timeout in Milwaukee. He apparently told official Danny Crawford that he was hurt and heading for the locker room, but play began with four on the floor, Hornets that is. Technically, that's not allowed. It's the fourth quarter, "Do you know where your Coleman is?"

Best new playoff nickname: After being taunted and yapped at by Tracy McGrady in Round One, Glenn Robinson came up with a beauty. McGrady had referred to Big Dog as a "puppy dog" earlier in the series. After the Bucks sent the Magic golfing, Robinson suggested that T-Mac, who had a quiet second half in Game 4, could also go by "She-Mac."

Best Milwaukee playoff placard: There have been many great signs at the Bradley Center during the post-season. My favorite simply stated: "Charlotte is a woman's name." Simple but true.

Best pre-game wear: Darvin Ham's full combat fatigue outfit may never be matched. He showed up in boots, camouflage and field cap for the playoff opener. I'm used to eye-popping outfits from the players, but this one was a double-take special. Darvin clearly sent a message that the Bucks were bound for war. Message given. Message received.

Best wristband math: It takes fifteen victories to win an NBA Championship. Every game, Ervin Johnson has the number of victories remaining printed on the tape around his wrist. After the Game 2 win: "Just ten more to go." Now that's leadership.

Best young coach in the Playoffs: George Karl. It's somewhat surprising, but when you look at the coaches whose teams made it to the second round this season, George is the youngest and he just turned 50. Says something about experience, doesn't it?

Best birthday party: Number 50 for the coach. George's coaching staff hosted a birthday bash the night after Game 3 in Charlotte. He received many gifts, but his team didn't deliver the gift he truly wanted: a victory in Game 4.

Best playoff P.A. announcement: After Game 3, Charlotte's arena voice had this to say: "Come back Sunday! Bring your headband and bring your mother!" Game 4 was scheduled on Mother's Day this year.

Best playoff celebrities: Sorry Milwaukee, but Charlotte gets the edge here. George Costanza was in attendance at Game 3. Jason Alexander, who played Costanza so well on "Seinfeld", was in Charlotte filming a movie with Gwyneth Paltrow. Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. also sat courtside at Game 3.

Best historical playoff fact: there have been 274 best of seven series in NBA history prior to this season. Only seven teams have come back to win the series after trailing 0-2. Never has a team rallied from 0-3. That last team to win four games after losing the first two is Houston in 1995 against Phoenix. Sam Cassell was a member of that eventual NBA Championship Rockets team.

Best National Anthem Singer: Teri Wilson. Teri is newly married to Bucks strength and conditioning coach Tim Wilson. Teri has sung the National Anthem at the Bradley Center for one regular season game and four playoff games. She is 5-0 so far. Her success brings to mind that of Kate Smith, who led the Philadelphia Flyers to a record of 64-15-3 when her rendition of "God Bless America" was played prior to Flyers home games. Ms. Smith was 3-0 in "live" renditions. Nice job, Teri.

Best confetti: Milwaukee has taken a hit or two for the loads of confetti dropped after playoff victories at the Bradley Center. It makes for a spectacular scene and one that Bucks fans enjoy. Why not celebrate a big victory in a big way for the best fans in the NBA? By the way, Charlotte's attempt to duplicate Milwaukee's confetti was tepid at best. It was thin and blown out of some kind of box held by workers on the court. At least we drop our confetti in Wisconsin!

Best news during the playoffs: Word that Terry Stotts was interviewed for the vacant coaching job in Detroit pleased a lot of people. Terry deserves a shot at a top job and he's ready for it. The other side to that sword would hurt. Terry would be terribly missed on George Karl's staff.

Best Press Room food: This is easy. The Bradley Center has and will always have the best food service in the NBA if not in all of professional sport. End of story. Other announcers routinely make excuses for the food in their buildings by complimenting us on the food in Milwaukee. Like we prepare it!

Best ticket sales record: No one keeps track of such things, but the fact that the Bucks sold out Games 1 and 2 against Charlotte in less than three hours and Game 5 in 45 minutes is a credit to the fans and to the team. To paraphrase Sally Field: "You like us, you really like us!"

Best reward for hard work: Senator Kohl graciously flew 58 Bucks and Bradley Center employees to Charlotte for Game 4. The Bucks have special employees and they are treated in a special way. It's a great gesture and a "thank you" for a long season of hard work.

Best irony: Every time the Bucks take off and land in Milwaukee these days, George Karl sees Seattle's plane on the tarmac. The plane had an engine problem and has been grounded in Milwaukee since the SuperSonics played in Milwaukee in March. George just keeps taking off and landing, but Sonics were grounded when the regular season ended. George must smile every time he walks by that airplane.

Best ending: How about a trip to the NBA Finals for the Bucks? Or, perhaps you were thinking, "the last words of this column." Either way, you win!