What If Dirk Played For The Milwaukee Bucks?

Jason McIntyre who is a fantastic writer for The Big Lead posted a question on Twitter yesterday afternoon about if people remembered that Dirk Nowitzki got traded on draft day. As a Milwaukee Bucks fan, I sure as hell do, the Bucks traded Nowitzki away for Robert 'Tractor' Traylor, that's like dealing Kate Upton for Kristie Alley. My buddy Bails pointed out that the Mavs were the only team who went overseas to scout Dirk so this trade was pretty much inevitable, but here is my question… why the hell didn't the Bucks scout Dirk? If you think about Dirk is perfect for Milwaukee. He is German and Milwaukee is a German-based city. The man would have had a beer named after him by the third year plus so many more endorsements from the Brew City.




Whenever we talk about these what-if situations, people always wonder if a player would be the same if he played elsewhere. My answer would be yes for Nowitzki because I truly believe he is a top 20 player of all time right now, and will climb up that ladder if the Mavs win the NBA Finals. I think a majority of the NBA teams could have drafted Dirk, and he would have been a great player. I believe 1998 was the last year that the Bucks picked in the lottery for a long time because Ray Allen hit his stride, Sam Cassell was brought in, and Glenn 'Big Dog' Robinson had already been in his prime at the time of drafting him. Nowitzki would not have any pressure in Milwaukee, and been allowed to grow in the first couple years. Let's also remember the Bucks missed out on Paul Pierce who was drafted a spot below Dirk, got to love the Bucks in the NBA Draft! 


If the Bucks kept Dirk, they would have easily been in the NBA Finals. The 2001 team that should have been in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first place if it wasn't for David Stern playing the role of Vince McMahon guaranteeing the Philadelphia 76ers and Allen Iverson would be playing the Lake Show. It was a screw job, and everyone who watches basketball knows that. Sorry my rant is over about that, but Dirk would have played the four with a monster lineup that would have been the best team in the Eastern Conference. 


That team would have had Cassell-Allen-Big Dog-Nowitzki-Tragic Johnson with Tim Thomas coming off the bench as a vital sixth man. The other question I have, would Ray-Ray have played in Milwaukee for another 10 years? The naïve side of me that has purple jersey hanging in my childhood bedroom would like to think that could have been a possibility. To me, Dirk would have been the first basketball superstar the city of Milwaukee has seen in over 30 years. They had some great players in the 80s and in the 90s but no one at the level of Dirk. I do hope that Brandon Jennings or Andrew Bogut becomes that guy for a franchise that seems to be stuck in neutral.


The other side of this would be what if Dallas never got Dirk? I still think they find their superstar somewhere down the road because with Mark Cuban's money, they really were able to afford anyone. They might have kept Steve Nash and paired him up with another player. It's fun to play these sorts of games and wonder what if sometimes. Because these dreams will never be realities, rather just a wish that something better would have happened for your team. 

 
-Charlie.

Bucks Set Franchise Mark For Futility

During the hoopla of Selection Sunday I happened to flip to FSWisconsin and to my surprise, the Bucks were on. They happened to be playing the Boston Celtics.

Night in and night out the Bucks struggle on offense. It's just the way it is. But after the way they were playing the last few games (albeit against Washington, Cleveland and Philadelphia) I thought they were starting to click for once. Then they go out and shoot just 31 percent from the floor and score a franchise low for points in a single game by scoring 56 Sunday night in Boston. The mark is also a record night on the defensive end for Boston since they held the Milwaukee Hawks to 57 points back in 1955.


Keyon Dooling had an opportunity to get the Bucks to 58, tying the record, from the free throw line with 22 ticks to go but clanged both of them sealing their fate.

Can they make their run?

Coach Skiles said the loss was humiliating and they "pretty much just gave into it". I mean, Earl Barron was the Bucks' leading scorer at a blistering ten points. They would have set a league record for lowest points in a half in the first half if it weren't for Andrew Bogut's two baskets in the final minute of the second quarter to bring their total to 22. The record is 19.

The C's made only two 3-pointers in the game and still scored 87. It didn't help the Bucks case to have Bogut get into early foul trouble. The Bucks aren't the same team with the league's leading shot blocker on the bench for the better part of the first half. Also, it didn't help that that was the Bucks' fifth game of the week and they were taking on the #1 team in the Eastern Conference.

I think the Celtics are in good shape for the post-season despite the fact that there are five new faces in their rotation. Troy Murphy finally woke up in his fifth game with Boston last night. Carlos Arroyo is a very capable back-up to Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green brings some added athleticism off the bench.

The Bucks fell to a game and a half back of 8th place Indiana with their loss and the Pacers' victory last night. They'll look to avenge this dismal effort when they head to Atlanta to take on the Hawks Tuesday night.

-Mitch

Closing Time: Where Is Mark Pope?!

Since we had a productive day on the Tap, I figured I would close out with something. The Bucks lose again tonight, which is becoming a nightly occurance. So I want to provide you with something awesome during the Bucks' playoff runs in the late 90s, early 2000s. Light Up Montage!  If you missed it, Carolina=Final Four?, MU bubble bursting?  UWM-One more to the Big Dance

Melo's First New York Commercial Is Awesome

Just a great commercial from the people at Madison Square Garden.  It immediately pumped me up for tonight's game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks. The Bucks have a great 8-1 record against the Knickerbockers in the last nine games so hopefully they can keep it up. Another hope of mine is that I am watching the first game Michael Redd plays so I can go... MY GOD THAT'S MICHAEL REDD'S MUSIC!!!!!

(Props to the guys at NY Barstool for the vid.)

-Charlie.

Larry Sanders Sent Down

It's official. Scott Skiles really hates rookies. Brandon Jennings must specialize in sexual favors to be able to start right out of the gates let alone get more than garbage minutes like one Larry Sanders.

It seemed like, for a second there back in November-December that Sanders was going to be the Bucks back-up center and things were good. Lately, Larry hadn't been playing much and he was sent down to Fort Wayne of the NBA Developmental League over the All-Star Break.

I feel like he has great potential and the D-League is a good place to harness some of that potential with playing time, but I thought he could have gotten more up in the NBA. It's not like the Bucks are a top five team in the East or even currently in the playoff picture.

Instead Skiles would rather use the Brockness Monster (Jon Brockman) to give Bogut a blow and Brockman can barely make a layup and doesn't play defense rather just gets in their way.

We've lost more athleticism on an already stiff team. Even if Sanders was hampered by back spasms and other minor injuries he still has more athletic ability and shot blocking prowess in his pinky than Brockman has all over.

-Mitch

Mitchy and Murph's Valentine's Date

Hello SNOTap followers and Happy Black History month. 


Monday night Mitch cordially invited me to see our hometown Milwaukee Bucks, who after that night's perfromance may still be doomed. Donald Sterling's Blakers were in town. Yes the Los Angles Clippers against the Bucks actually can draw a crowd at the Bradley Center these days. 





While both these teams are under .500, Mitsy and I will always be able to say we "Witnessed" Blake Griffin his rookie year. While after seeing two straight Bucks games at home, I have finally begun to believe that Scotty Skiles has lost the team and should begin watching over his children as a night job. 


Somehow I hope though we find our way into the seven seed by season's end, and get to watch the Heatles put on a Genocide at the Bradley Center for two games sometime in mid-april. 


Until then only 41 days til Opening Day.

-Murph

Michael Redd Could Solve All Problems

I have contemplated what do with Michael Redd seeing as he returns on next Monday night. I am not sure how much action he will see right away, but I know there are a few people, maybe more who would prefer if he just keeps a seat on the bench nice and warm.  Honestly, I use to feel the same way, but the Bucks score less than Jim Levenstin before Michelle Flaherty, the Bucks need to find their band geek. Redd could be that guy.    

Notice how he is in the
old purple, back to his energy days

Remember before Redd got the ridiculous contract from Larry Harris, he was an awesome energy player. Redd would hang out at the three point line and just dot every player in the NBA.  Sure he doesn't play a lick of defense, and yes he is chunkier than Levance Fields in his prime, I would have no problem with Redd hanging out in the deep corner.  In the other deep corner, you put Carlos Delfino spreading the court like the Orlando Magic did when they made their title run. This will allow Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut do so much in the middle developing a great in and out game between the two stars of the team. 


The other thing about Redd is the large expiring contract that some team will want. I also vote that he is the recipient of the 'Theo Ratliff Expiring Contract Award'.  I guarantee you if the Bucks can show that Redd is healthy, some team will try their best to get that contract. Obviously, the Deer cannot bring in a guy like Stephan Jackson or O.J. Mayo, two guys I think will be dealt in the coming weeks.  But they can bring in a valuable role player that can contributes off the bench for them.  


The Bucks need to find a way to utilize Redd, simple as that. John Hammond is the Executive of the Year and Scott Skiles is a good coach, figure something he can do for the team.  No matter how weak his knees might be, Redd will not forget how to shoot the three. 


-Charlie.

Thoughts On The Blake Show

Courtesy of Mr. Tom Luljak and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, I got to attend the Bucks game last night for free as part of my Sports Marketing class.

It just so happened that the Los Angeles Blakers were in town.

I was rocking my "Fear The Deer" t-shirt because I knew we were staying for the game. And right off the bat, the Director of Corporate Sales of the Bucks asks me where I got it. Without reservation, I tell him "from some dude across the street out of the back of his car before Game 4 of the playoffs last year." He responds with, "Oh, so illegal merchandise?"

He didn't like my shirt too much I reckon.

Anyway, during our hour-plus tour of the Bradley Center, the anticipation was mounting from my fellow classmates about seeing Mr. Griffin in action. But before the game started, we went into the radio booth and we heard from the radio voice of the Bucks, Ted Davis. He is one of my favorite broadcasters and I stood right next to the man as he spoke to us. Just a class act.

We get our tickets and since Luljak has such great connections, we get to sit lower level and the view was just like watching it on TV. Maybe a little closer, but it was in person so that was pretty awesome.

Pretty quiet night from Blake overall. Shucks.

We didn't see our first dunk of the game until late in the second quarter and it was by Andrew Bogut off all people on the court. There was an opportunity for Blake to have a wide-open dunk but douchebag Randy Foye kept it and just layed it in. The crowd reacted negatively as you can imagine. Go back 'Nova Randy.

Blake made up for it with a sick half-court alley oop from Donald Sterling's favorite Baron Davis just before half. That was the just about the loudest the BC got last night.

The Bucks pulled away from Blake and the Clippers early in the fourth quarter and ended up winning 102-78. Carlos Del3no was 7 of 10 from beyond the arc and the Bucks in general actually made some shots. John Salmons had a career-high 12 assists.

Griffin rolled his ankle on good ole' Jon Brockman's foot in the fourth as well, but he appeared to shake it off after a time or two down the court and should be fine. The Brock Ness Monster is always in the way.

I feel like the Clippers could be good for a while if they handle things correctly. Pat touched on this a bit last night and I agree, Baron Davis should be dealt sometime in the near future. Maybe not this season but either in the offseason or by the deadline next year.

I doubt Eric Bledsoe is ready to a starting PG in the NBA but maybe by this time next year, he will be. He's got talent and another budding star in Eric Gordon right next to him. Patrick also asked me if I thought that the Clips could get Chris Paul. I seriously doubt it but it could be something to watch. Who wouldn't want to play with Blake Griffin? He's the first Clippers #1 overall selection to pan out since....Michael Olowokandi? Wait, no.

-Mitch

Congratulations Ray Allen.

(Found this on Barstool Sports: Boston)

I can still remember the day Ernie Grunfeld traded away Ray Allen from the Milwaukee Bucks. I had a hard time believing Grunfeld that the right thing to do was break up the Big 3 of Allen, Sam Cassell, and Glenn 'Big Dog' Robinson for Gary Payton. Allen is the complete opposite of Payton, just a supreme class act and had the respect of the city of Milwaukee. I can still say to this day he is one of my favorite NBA players.



Last night, Allen set the record for most three pointers made in NBA history.  He broke Reggie Miller's record, which caused Eric to cry like a school girl seeing his favorite player lose the only record he has in the association. Don't worry E, at least you got Jerry Rice!  I could watch Allen highlights all day, he has a silky smooth jumper that barely touches anything but the bottom of the net.   Allen will be in the Basketball Hall of Fame for his great career over the years from being a leader in Milwaukee, taking an average Seattle team to the playoffs, and winning an NBA title with the Boston Celtics.

I would be hard-pressed to find a better clutch outside shooter than Allen in the NBA today.  Congrats again Ray from a Milwaukee fan that wishes you were still here.

-Charlie.

DOY: DeAndre Jordan

The Bucks had a three-game winning streak rolling into Los Angeles last night to play the Blake Show, and they blew an early third quarter lead giving the Clips the win.  This was one of the bigger plays of the game as DeAndre Jordan just destroys Jon Brockman. I missed this great dunk due to hanging up laundry... FAIL

Bucks at Boston and Lakers Looking To Say Undefended

2010-2011 NBA Top 16 Power Ranking (Part 4)