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November 7, 2008
Milwaukee Bucking Old Habits
Scott Skiles has brought his feistiness to the soft Milwaukee Bucks.
They are 3-2 and are already playing better defense than last season. He has done it with many of same the players. I've become a fan of his toughmindedness in recent years.
The Bucks won just 54 games total over the last two seasons. They played little defense along the way.
They have beaten New York, Oklahoma City and Washington (in OT without Micheal Redd), while losing to Toronto and Chicago this season.
The Bucks are 2nd in the NBA in shot attempt differential. They take 8.6 more shots than their opponents. Partially due to good defense, but they don't get to the line as much either. They are 3rd worst in the NBA in free throw attempts versus their opponents (-9.8) They are fourth highest in fouling, but I'm sure that is largely indicative of their new found aggressiveness.
So their record is a bit deceiving, as even the Washington win was tainted due to the Wizards being without 2 starters - leading scorer Gilbert Arenas and center Brendan Haywood. The Wizards are winless and look out of sync. Their offense often looks stagnant. The other two wins were just against bad teams. Hard to get too excited considering the competition.
Nonetheless, positive signs are there.
Starting PG Luke Ridnour came from the OKC Thunder in the 3 team trade that sent Mo Williams to the Cavaliers, and Desmond Mason to the Thunder. He scored 20 points with 11 assists and 7 rebounds against Washington.
So far, the Bucks are doing better with 2nd round picks than with the hard earned lottery picks the losing records got them these past 2 seasons.
Yi Jianlian along with Bobby Simmons were traded to the Nets for Richard Jefferson in the off season. The Buck's 56th pick from the same draft, PG Ramon Sessions has been a pleasant surprise and is becoming a rotation player, with a chance to be a starter. He had 8 assists and 22 points off the bench in the Washington win.
Joe Alexander has been overshadowed in the early going by 37th pick Luc Richard Mbah a
Moute. Mbah a Moute scored 17 points on 8-10 shooting in the Wizards game. But more important to Coach Skiles, Mbah a Moute plays energetic defense.
Celtics
The Celtics are the team to watch if you want to play great defense. They are leading the league in defensive shooting pct. at a smothering 37.6%
Boston is having trouble making foul shots (69%) and Eddie House's lack of hitting his three's (11.8%) is bringing down the Celtics' three point average to just 26.8%. Ray and Paul are okay, but not great at around 35% each.
The Celtics are 4-1 and just getting into their own rhythms. They look to continue their perfect home record (2-0) as they work their second unit into a regular rhythm. Leon Powe is getting more touches and being featured in the offense more and he making the most of it.
Glen Davis has been playing well, and Eddie House is contributing at both ends of the floor though his shot is off so far. Tony Allen has also shown positive signs as these are the main rotation guys off the bench.
The starting five seems to just be getting better, as Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins are becoming more important parts this season. We know what we will get from the Big Three on most nights.
Celtics look to continue to engage everyone more in the offense, as they try to fill the voids left by James Posey and PJ Brown. They have lost some things, but they might be gaining some things as well. Glen Davis and Leon Powe have a great chance to assert themselves into important roles, as do Eddie House and Tony Allen.
If they can fill those defensive voids, their offensive options look to be more versatile than last season.
Game is 7:30 at TDBanknorth Garden. I'll be there to report the action.
Posted by Tom on November 7, 2008 11:32 AM
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