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Philippines, 19 May 2024 |
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NBA -- Small Bucks have big sizzle By Matthew A. Williams PhilBoxing.com Tue, 07 Aug 2012  MILWAUKEE -- After a promising, excitement-filled 2011-2012 campaign, the Milwaukee Bucks found themselves in the thick of a playoffs berth, only to fade out of contention in the end and miss the postseason with a 31-35 won-lost slate. The Bucks are great on the open floor. They love to run and gun, and their capacity to score is dazzling. But ultmately, their lack of size led to their demise. At 6-foot-11, Samuel Dalembert is the tallest among the Bucks. He weighs 250 pounds, is 31 years old, and has seen better playing days. The Bucks have a pair of 6-foot-10 power forwards in Drew Gooden and Ersan Ilyasova, who combined for 26.7 points and 15.5 rebounds per game between them last season. Outside of Dalembert, Gooden and Ilyasova, the Bucks are out of reliable bigs. And that pretty much explains why Milwaukee ranked No. 12 in the NBA in rebounds per game (42.5) and a lowly No.22 in points allowed per game (98.7). But lo and behold, the Bucks addressed their size issue this offseason by acquiring 6-foot-11 rookie John Henson. A standout from the University of North Carolina, Henson won't solve all the Bucks problems, but he will eventually morph into a pleasant and productive addition, one who will reinforce the defense, help protect the defensive board, and put up some points. Though short in length and lean on muscle, the Bucks will continue to be a very fun team to watch, a group of hard-charging guys who will put butts on arena seats. That's because Milwaukee parades one of the most explosive point-guard-shooting guard combos in the NBA with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. Although the 22-year old Jennings needs to be a little more prudent with his shot selection, the wealth of this kid's talent is inarguable. Crafty and can create his own shot anywhere on the floor, Jannings averaged 19.1 points per last season. A 3-year pro, the 6-foot-1, 169-pound Jennings exploded for a season-high 38 poiints on January 20 in New York where the Bucks beat the Knicks, 100-86. Ellis, the other half of Milwaukee's potent 1-2 punch, is a mere 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds. But the ex-Warrior can score with the best of them. Ellis once scored 72 points in high school and he torched the Oklahoma City Thunder for a career-high 48 points last Feb.7. Ellis, who will make $11 million in the 2012-13 season, averaged 17.5 points per last season, shooting 46 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw stripe. Like Jennings, Monta has a good handle, can create his own shot, and attacks defenses with his blurring speed. And 7-year pro at age 26, the best has yet to come. With a young core of Henson, Jennings and Ellis, the future looks good for the Bucks and head coach Scott Skiles. Given how tough the Eastern Conference is, the Bucks will likely struggle for a playoffs berth. But one thing's for sure: these kids will have fun trying. (Matthew A. Williams) Click here to view a list of other articles written by Matthew A. Williams.  |
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