Jim Paschke has been the television Voice of the Bucks since 1986, pairing with Jon McGlocklin during each of those seasons. This year, he adds a new title to his business card -- master of online blogging and video webisodes. JP promises to bring you the stories you want to hear and the content you want to see. He'll be at the games, at the practices, at the shootarounds, on the plane, in the hotels, in the community and everywhere else the Bucks go. Bookmark this page now and experience the 2007-08 Bucks season in a whole new light. This is Paschketball!
Back on the mountain
Posted on December 26, 2007 at 3:16 p.m.
Tonight will mark a milestone for Bobby Simmons in the Mile High City.
He will return to the Bucks starting lineup against the Nuggets. I reminded Bobby that it has been over a year since his surgery and he replied, “December 17th at 5:45 a.m.” for the first foot operation, and “January 12th at 6 a.m.” for the second.
While it was never set in stone, the Bucks wanted to give Bobby as close to a full year to rehabilitate as possible.
With the Nuggets, Bulls, Nets, Pistons, and Heat ahead on the schedule, Simmons may stay in the starting lineup for a while due to favorable match-ups.
I asked him about all of this and about Carmelo Anthony this morning after the Bucks shoot-around.
I rarely get road haircuts. It takes a brave man to do that. But today, I was badly in need, so I walked a couple of blocks and found Floyd’s Barbershop in downtown Denver. After getting over my Mayberry concerns, I ventured inside. It turns out that my buzz cut specialist also cuts Nuggets’ Linas Kleiza. So if you see a resemblance tonight, that’s the reason. Fifteen bucks plus tip.
I also want to mention a notable Christmas gift I received. I’ll be learning Mandarin Chinese with the help of Rosetta Stone software. At least I’ll be able to say “please” and “thank you” when the Bucks visit China in the next year or two.
Great Scott
Posted on December 25, 2007 at 8:23 p.m.
Merry Christmas. I said I’d check in from Denver, and then the Chicago Bulls fire Scott Skiles on Christmas Eve.
My first thought was that another solid, accountable, hard-working, old-school coach was held more accountable than perhaps is reasonable. Then I remembered that the NBA is and always will be a player’s league. Scott knows this, and so do all of us.
This is why I think NBA coaches are remarkable. They must teach, nurture, motivate and tap dance. I’ve fathered a teen-aged boy, so I know what that’s like. It is both annoying and invigorating. Working with someone you truly care about is one of life’s great blessings and good coaches know this. Why else would they unfailingly continue?
My second thought upon learning of the firing was remembering Scott’s first day in an NBA training camp. It was my first day, too.
He was a feisty, ragamuffin Indiana kid who looked like he came from the cast of the “Dead End Kids.” (That reference is lost on all but those even older than me.) I liked him immediately. He could laugh at himself while trying to appear so serious.
Jack Sikma invited me to join him and Scott for lunch after that first Bucks practice. They remain two of my favorite Bucks personalities. Both are very genuine and honest, one from Indiana, the other from Illinois. Liked them then, like them now.
If you get a chance, read some of Scott’s quotes after he was fired on Christmas Eve. You’ll understand what I’m talking about. Skiles humility and humanity are beacons on this Christmas Day.
Give to the children, hope
Posted on December 22, 2007 at 1:35 p.m.
It is one of the most moving days of the Bucks year. Each December, right before Christmas, for as long as I can remember, the Bucks have visited the MACC Fund Cancer Center and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
Losses, injuries and whatever else we have on our hearts and minds evaporate as the players bring smiles to children. There is nothing else to be said, except Happy Holidays.
Oh, there is one more thing. A victory over Charlotte tonight would make a great gift for all of us, including every Bucks fan. We will have to witness life without Desmond Mason tonight, so that will be reason enough to tune in at 7:00 on FSN-Wisconsin.
Have a great and safe holiday. I will check in from Denver next week.
Bitter and sweet
Posted on December 21, 2007 at 4:48 p.m.
This entry is difficult as it involves good news and bad news.
Let’s dispense with the bad news: Desmond Mason apparently will have surgery to repair his left wrist, which he injured Wednesday night against Sacramento. The diagnosis is 6-to-8-weeks.
The Bucks lose a starting “energy” player and some defense with Desmond out. It will allow for some starting line-up tinkering, which will be interesting to watch.
This means Philadelphia will be the only team in the NBA to use the same starting line-up for each game at this point in the season.
I knew something was seriously wrong yesterday when Desmond couldn’t lift bags of food he and his wife Andrea had purchased and were distributing for needy Milwaukee families.
That leads us to the good news: Desmond and his family handed out 500 full holiday meals yesterday at the Salvation Army office on North 25th street. Despite his troubles, he was all smiles and very much in the holiday spirit. That’s the Desmond Mason we all appreciate so much.
Romo, Romo, where art thou?
Posted on December 19, 2007 at 5:16 p.m.
Without a telecast tonight, I was walking through the Bradley Center today and stopped to watch a Bucks Prep Series game between Kenosha Tremper and Burlington.
Someone reminded me that Burlington hadn’t played a Prep Series game since 1998, and in that game Tony Romo scored 27 points. Apparently golf was Romo’s best sport in high school, basketball was second and football third.
Romo goes from 27 points at the Bradley Center, to the Dallas Cowboys and rumored dates with Jessica Simpson. You just never know.
I’d like to think the Bucks would beat the Kings in their re-match tonight. Kevin Martin is still injured and after a tough 3-point loss in Sacramento, the home court should be the difference.
Sacramento wraps up its 5-game Eastern trip tonight, just as the Bucks ended their 5-game Western swing in the California Capitol. The Kings have struggled on the road with just 3 victories.
Even without Martin, the Kings get offensive balance. They have five players averaging double figure scoring including four starters. Brad Miller has picked up his game in Martin’s absence.
Here is an interesting note: Ron Artest’s 3-point shooting percentage has dropped from 46% to 33% since the Bucks played in Sacramento. That was just nine days ago.
John Salmons has become a key ingredient for the Kings. He has scored 20 or more points nine times, including his 22-point game against the Bucks. Salmons hit for 31 in Tuesday’s victory at New Jersey.
Sacramento gets to the free throw line and makes the shots, which keeps the Kings in a lot of games.
The Bucks need to win the rebound battle tonight as well. They were –8 in game one against the 3rd worst rebounding team in the league.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS: Mo Williams is 25 today. Royal Ivey will be 26 tomorrow.
Touching your heart
Posted on December 19, 2007 at 1:39 p.m.
I’ve been around the NBA for 22 seasons. I am here for the games. I am privileged to have the chance to call the action, travel with the team, and enjoy this lifestyle.
I am also very often reminded that the NBA is a platform for great things adjacent to basketball. It is a chance to touch people, to help, and to transform. The NBA Cares.
On Tuesday of this week, Michael Redd and his wife, Achea, touched over 100 Milwaukee children after having their hearts touched by those kids. The Michael Redd Foundation had a Christmas party for some children in the Bradley Center.
This was one of the most heart-warming events I have been a part of. Please be sure to listen to Michael’s final comments. They will touch your heart as well.
No complaints
Posted on December 17, 2007 at 3:10 p.m.
If you promise not to think I’m complaining, I’ll let you in on the Bucks latest travel adventure.
Yesterday, we were scheduled to leave for tonight’s game in Cleveland at 3 p.m. About 9:30 a.m., we got a call telling us that we would move the flight up to noon due to a storm in Cleveland.
We all showed up at the airport ready to go, only to learn that the winds were so high around Lake Erie that we would have to wait. A decision was made to leave at 10 p.m, when the storm was expected to abate.
So after not letting 8 or 10 pizzas go to waste, we went our separate ways and trudged back after 9 p.m. We got to Cleveland without any problems. It was a little later than usual, but no problems.
It’s nice to know we will be at home for a week or so. None of us will be able to sleep in the same bed night after night at this point. It has been quite a week on the road.
I don’t know quite what to expect tonight. Typically, I would think LeBron James would single handedly try to pay the Bucks back for their victory here on November 20th. However, after talking with some friends with the Cavaliers, it’s obvious the Cavs are struggling. They have lost 8 of their last 9 games and have only played well once in that span. Apparently they need a month or so to re-unite after LeBron’s return and the addition of Anderson Varejao. We’ll see tonight.
“Bucks Live” on FSN starts at 5:30.
Rand McNally
Posted on December 15, 2007 at 7:07 p.m.
The road wears on: more on the Bucks Rand McNally schedule in a moment.
Even without Ray Allen, Boston was impressive last night. The Celtics look like they’ve played together for a lot longer than 21 games. They effortlessly key off Kevin Garnett and are headed for a high playoff seed in the East.
The Garnett deal is as lopsided as lopsided gets these days. When Paul Pierce was injured last season, the four players sent to Minnesota for K.G. were 0-18 with Boston.
With no disrespect to Al Jefferson, the Celtics got a heck of a lot for a little, at least at the current time.
Boston shares the unselfishness of Garnett. The Celtics move, pass the ball, and make good decisions. They have a true team leader, two other stars, and a near perfect complement of role players, several of which are solid defenders.
Tonight, the Bucks will see the cool side of the pillow in that trade. Minnesota is struggling on both ends, but mostly on the defensive side. The Bucks should be rested and ready for a victory.
At the request of Larry Kystkowiak, I discovered an interesting schedule quirk. When the Bucks host Sacramento next Wednesday, they will complete a run of 14 straight games in 14 different cities. When they host Charlotte on the 22nd, they will begin another string of 14 games in 14 cities.
Another way to put it: In a 28-game period, between November 27th and January 16th, Milwaukee will play back-to-back home games just once.
In my previous entry, I chuckled at Hedo Turkoglu’s lane violation on the first of two free throws in Wednesday’s Orlando game. After talking to Andrew Bogut and Desmond Mason, they told me the officials called Turkoglu for a violation using a word they hadn’t heard. Desmond told me, “It started with a “D.” I said, “Distraction?” “No” he replied.
After searching my brain, I came up with disconcertion. “That’s it,” Desmond laughed.
So it turns out Turkolgu was cited for verbally disconcerting the shooter. It’s still weird. I checked with official Bob Delaney in Boston, and he confirmed the call and said he has made that call himself in the past.
With Minnesota at the Bradley Center tonight, this is interesting: In the four major pro sports drafts in 2008, Minnesota has supplied 19 native-born rookies to the NHL, 11 to MLB, 2 to the NFL and none to the NBA.
You learn something every day out here.
Hack-a-dutchman, etc.
Posted on December 13, 2007 at 2:56 p.m.
It was one of the strangest and most humorous games I’ve ever seen.
When Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy applied the tactic of having James Augustine intentionally foul Dan Gadzuric off the ball in the third quarter, it took a moment to figure out what was going on. Why at that point in the game?
It took Dan a couple of free throws to get it, and he started making them. Watching Gadzuric run away from Augustine to avoid a foul at that point in the game was hilarious.
Hearing Larry Kystkowiak call out “perfect offense” in the direction of Van Gundy was priceless.
James Augustine, by the way, is the nephew of Wisconsin-born former Brewer pitcher and UWM Head baseball Coach Jerry Augustine, who was in attendance Wednesday night.
For a team that was 11-2 on the road, it seemed odd that Van Gundy didn’t show more confidence in his club with that much time left. It also makes you wonder how Augustine feels being asked to give himself up so easily. Apparently he didn’t figure into Orlando’s late comeback plans.
I have never seen a player called for a free throw lane violation on the first of two shots. Hedo Turkoglu now fills that void. Weird.
Watching Michael Redd approach a triple-double, when double-doubles have been rare for him was instructive. It is more evidence that Michael is becoming a well-rounded NBA player.
We had Michael for 8 assists and then all of a sudden he had 9. No one at our table could remember the 9th assist. Apparently it was given on the pass Charlie Bell bobbled.
And now today, our flight to Boston has been delayed by nearly five hours due to weather in The Hub. We are trying to avoid the “Stormaggedon” we tried to avoid on Tuesday.
This, too, shall pass. (Make sure it’s an assist!)
Nine days a week
Posted on December 11, 2007 at 4:27 p.m.
I’m sitting on the Bucks Midwest Airlines charter on our final glide path into Green Bay on Tuesday afternoon at about 3:20 p.m. This is a part of NBA life that you know is just around the corner from every weather report.
We stayed over in Sacramento last night rather than try to beat “Stormaggedon.” We had a 7 a.m. luggage pull at the hotel, 8 a.m. bus and 9 a.m. flight to Milwaukee. Everyone seemed to be up early. An extended nine days on the road will do that to you.
We had a normal flight heading to Milwaukee, then it became obvious we’d have trouble landing. As soon as I heard we would be the first flight in on Tuesday, I knew we would be diverted.
First word was Appleton. Then after more hovering, we headed for Green Bay. Looks like it's clear and cold as we are about to touch down.
The Journal Sentinel's web site has some pretty neat photos of the winter storm. Here's one of them.
(Benny Sieu / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Our FSN crew started this trip with an animated map of the itinerary. I mentioned immediately that the plane disappeared as it headed back to Milwaukee. I didn’t feel good about that for several reasons. I’ve always contended that this is a great job as long as the takeoffs and landings equal out.
We’re on the ground, and now face a two-plus hour bus ride to, guess where, the Milwaukee Airport!
The travel has mimicked the trip. Good start, tough finish.
The good news is there is a game at home tomorrow. Then we leave Thursday for Boston.
Miller time
Posted on December 10, 2007 at 3:20 p.m.
We're back in California to close out this five-game Western Conference swing. The Bucks feel they could have three victories in hand, but will have to settle for a 2-3 trip if they can beat the Kings tonight in Sacramento. I can remember many forays into the West when two victories would be cause for celebration.
We will watch two of the best passing centers in the game tonight. Brad Miller and Andrew Bogut are both excellent at distributing the ball while facing the basket.
Miller likes to pick-and-pop, which makes him a tough defensive cover.
Andrew Bogut’s defensive growth showed up in a statistic this morning: He is tied for the league lead with Allen Iverson and Jermaine O’Neal with 17 charges taken. Coupled with the fact that Andrew’s 41 blocked shots are 6 more than last season, his balanced growth on the defensive end is obvious.
I had a chance to visit with him this morning.
Let’s hope the red eye flight home tonight allows all of us to try and sleep easily on the plane.
We’ll see you at the Bradley Center on Wednesday for the Orlando game.
Spacing out in Seattle
Posted on December 7, 2007 at 3:11 p.m.
When you face losing something you enjoy, if not love, it is breathtaking.
While we can’t foretell the future, the thought has hit us all: this could be the last time we see Seattle as a visiting NBA team. A lot can happen in six months or a year, but the prospect of the Sonics leaving home is so palpable it must be considered.
This is a city I have never taken for granted. It’s beauty, kindness, diversity, and comfort have made it always feel more like a home away from home than a cold hard hotel room.
Let’s hold out hope that things can be worked out to save a great relationship. Seattle loves the NBA and the NBA loves Seattle. Why even contemplate anything else?
Rather than bid a final farewell, I simply checked in with Desmond Mason today.
We are anxious to see Kevin Durant tonight, but I am even more interested in Jeff Green. If Yi Jianlian hadn’t been on the board, Jeff Green would have been the Bucks likely choice last June in the NBA Draft.
Bobby Simmons has been allowed to leave the trip to deal with a personal issue, as he was previously. We wish him well. No word on whether Bobby will re-join the team before next Wednesday’s home game.
Timmy time
Posted on December 6, 2007 at 6:13 p.m.
I just returned from the Bucks afternoon practice at Key Arena in Seattle. It was a spirited session, as you would expect, after last night’s 30-point loss to Golden State.
If you think about it, the Bucks have played one good half of basketball on the trip (the second half in Los Angeles) and still went 1-and-1 in California. Everyone realizes that the next three games - in Seattle, Portland and Sacramento - are winnable.
Get two or three more on this trip and it would be a resounding success.
The Bucks can end another long skid tomorrow night at “The Key.” Milwaukee hasn’t won in Seattle since January 29, 2000. It’s a seven game drought in the Emerald City.
You may remember that game. It was George Karl’s second season with the Bucks and his first game back in Seattle after leaving the Sonics. (Milwaukee did not play in Seattle during the 1998-99 lockout season.)
George entered Key Arena as usual, and basked in a tremendous standing ovation from the Seattle fans. He was wearing a hideous Space Needle tie (see photo below) as I recall, and he was soaking up all the glory coming his way that night from the 15,839 in attendance.
George got the ultimate last laugh, as Tim Thomas drained a buzzer-beating game winner from the top of the free throw circle to win 101-99. It was an incredible homecoming for Karl.
The only member of the Bucks basketball staff that remains from that game is Strength and Conditioning coach Tim Wilson.
The Bucks have ended one 7-game building skid on the trip. Why not make it two?
In the meantime, I’m contemplating whether or not this could be our final trip to Seattle for should the Sonics pull the plug on this great city.
I’ll have more from the Shoot-around tomorrow.
Bay watch
Posted on December 5, 2007 at 3:13 p.m.
The sun is shining in San Francisco today. That happens quite often when the Bucks win, wherever we are.
Three losing streaks ended last night in Los Angeles. The Bucks’ overall 4-game skid, their 5-game slide against the Clippers and their 7-game drought against the Clippers in the Staples Center vanished like a Michael Redd swish.
I am starting to see a more consistent approach by this team even though the results aren’t consistent. A winning streak followed by a losing streak speaks to inconsistency, but the Bucks seem to have a similar mental approach every night, even if it isn’t successful.
I think this is a direct correlation to Larry Krystkowiak. He tried to play the same way every night in victories and losses. By doing that, over time, you tend to win more than you lose, because you are always improving. The “approach” eventually solidifies and defines the “application.” It’s called having a plan and sticking to it.
Put your head down and stay within a certain “performance slot” every night and you have a better chance. Keep narrowing the slot to avoid big swings and you will improve.
One difference did stand out in Los Angeles last night; Larry K used only 9 players. I asked him about that this morning and he said he would watch practices and habits of the players to determine if he goes with 9 or 10. He is definitely intending to tighten the rotation.
Larry also said the key tonight against a team that scores and gives up high point totals is to be patient on offense. He wants the extra pass and some patience against a Warrior team that can get opponents into a wild shoot-‘em-up.
Golden State is the only team the Bucks face on this trip with a winning record. However, the Warriors are 3-5 at home.
Always looking for the sunshine …
Don't forget to remember me
Posted on December 4, 2007 at 3:07 p.m.
It didn’t take long for our first celebrity sighting in Los Angeles last night. As the players waited to go up on the hotel elevator, American Idol winner Carrie Underwood stood among the group undetected.
She hopped on board with five or six of the Bucks, and I’m still not sure if they know it was Underwood.
I ran into Larry Krystkowiak early this morning by the pool. He was enjoying the morning paper and we talked briefly about the team. The coach has such a positive and realistic attitude. Larry said he is feeling upbeat and ready to go after last week’s “good little correction.”
I realized that if we think of the NBA season in the same way we understand the stock market, corrections are unavoidable, necessary, and present opportunities. Now I feel better.
The Bucks had a good shoot-around this morning. I had a chance to visit with Mo Williams about the Bucks and the team meeting after Saturday’s loss.
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