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!
Great White Way
Posted on November 30, 2007 at 12:32 p.m.
(video courtesy of Kristen L. Lambrecht)
Broadway’s stagehands settled their 19-day strike just in time for the Bucks arrival in New York early Thursday morning. With this being the only visit to Gotham this season, the settlement allowed us to hit the TKTS booth and enjoy Les Misérables on Thursday night.
The lead character, Jean Valjean, was played by John Owen-Jones, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Andrew Bogut at times, especially with his old hair cut.
A day full of New York’s street energy is a big help in letting go of losses. Philadelphia and Atlanta seem like more distant memories when you’re dodging cabs.
Before hitting the theater, I wanted to join Charlie Villanueva at the NBA Store in Manhattan, as he visited with children living with Alopecia. He’ll also meet with another group of children before the Knicks game at The Garden tonight.
Charlie has about 25 of these sessions scheduled this season as he travels the country with the Bucks. He is wonderful with the kids as he shares his stories and gives them encouragement in dealing with this condition. Charlie has quietly and consistently set up these get-togethers for several years.
There are quite a few people around the country who are Bucks fans because of their kids and Charlie Villanueva.
Check out the video below:
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We also noticed Awvee Storey doing a little shopping at the NBA store (Where Great Gifts Happen).
Tonight’s game will be even more interesting after the Knicks were blown out in Boston last night. The New York Times reported that the Knicks looked like they were “playing near each other rather than with each other.”
If the Bucks aren’t distracted by the fans chants to “Fire Isiah”, they should have a chance to return home with a victory.
Milwauk-Yi
Posted on November 26, 2007 at 1:50 p.m.
Thanksgiving “Star Week” worked out pretty well, didn’t it?
The Bucks have the NBA’s attention after victories over Cleveland, the Lakers and Dallas last week. ESPN’s current power rankings have the Bucks in the 7th spot and 3rd in the Eastern Conference. That is what a 6-0 home record and a 5-game winning streak will do for a team.
The key now is to keep on keeping on. The Bucks have a chance to extend the streaks this week with a game Tuesday against Philadelphia (no letdown!), Wednesday at Atlanta in the season’s first re-match and then Friday at New York before returning home for Detroit on Saturday. We’ll get another chance to assess their strength with those four games in five days.
Then it will be an 8-day western swing, which always gives you a good read on Eastern teams.
Perhaps lost somewhat in the success of last week was the arrival of Yi Jianlian’s parents in Milwaukee. Mr. And Mrs. Yi arrived in town a week ago today from China while Jianlian was with the Bucks in Cleveland.
They watched their son in an NBA game on TV for the first time on Tuesday, then in person on Wednesday against the Lakers. Saturday, they got to see him play very well against the NBA’s reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki. Not a bad start to your NBA experience.
As you might expect, Yi is happy to have his family in town.
Farm report
Posted on November 24, 2007 at 10:38 a.m.
This is not a Barrows and Gilts update, but a farm report never the less.
Bucks guard Ramon Sessions opened the D-League season for Tulsa in style last night. Ramon had 27 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals (and 8 turnovers) in an 88-80 victory over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Sessions scored 23 points in the first half. His line: 7-15 FG, 1-2 3FG and 12-14 FT in 39 minutes.
Business of Paschketball
Posted on November 23, 2007 at 4:28 p.m.
I know you enjoyed the Bucks victory of the Lakers on Wednesday. It was a great night. As we said in our telecast open, after Redd and Kobe, it would likely be a battle of the benches. It was, and the Bucks' bench was dominant.
Watching the “new” Michael Redd face Kobe Bryant was something special. Michael applied defense to one of the game’s great players and it was the best match-up between the two we’ve seen. That was some great “ballin'.”
The ceremony for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Wednesday was everything I expected. The fans gave Kareem a very warm welcome and remained standing throughout the ceremony to re-dedicate his number 33 jersey banner. We were all in the presence of greatness.
This afternoon, after practice, the Bucks took part in the team’s annual “Business of Basketball” seminar. With the support of the NBA, every team conducts a session to bring the players up to speed on all of the elements that go into a successful franchise and a successful league.
They review mission statements and business principles that the league has adopted and perfected. There are revenue and demographic breakdowns, along with sponsor and marketing plans.
The players are reminded that they are the cornerstones to every success the NBA enjoys and that they can acclimate themselves to a post-playing career very easily by being a willing part of all that we do in the NBA.
Part of the presentation comes from former NBA players who have learned the lessons well. I enjoyed Bill Russell’s message:
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“Star” week continues tomorrow as the Bucks host Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. Remember, game time at the Bradley Center is 8:00 pm Saturday.
If Milwaukee can defeat LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dirk in three straight games, the Bucks will have really given people something to talk about.
See you at the game.
Turkeys beware
Posted on November 21, 2007 at 5:11 p.m.
Everyone is in a good mood around the Bradley Center today.
The Bucks turned in a great team victory at Cleveland on Tuesday, and are looking forward to facing Kobe and the Lakers tonight. There is always a special buzz in the building when the Lakers arrive.
This morning, Kurt Rambis walked by a small group of media members, passed right through the drawn curtain covering the court entrance. A minute later he came back and said; “Why did you let me go through if the Bucks are still on the court?” I responded by saying it was like letting a rookie run onto the court by himself.
Then I asked if the Lakers were shooting around, and Kurt got me back.
He turned, smiled and said “No, I just thought I would come over to the gym by myself.” It was a perfect prelude to Turkey Day. You be the judge of who won that “contest.”
Speaking of Turkey Day, we wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Here is how Larry Krystkowiak plans on spending the day.
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Redd vs. LBJ
Posted on November 20, 2007 at 12:44 p.m.
They may or may not be matched up directly tonight, but Michael Redd and LeBron James are always the focal points when the Bucks face the Cavaliers.
I’m sitting at shoot-around this morning contemplating what we might see tonight. With a rash of injuries and the contract problem of Anderson Varejao, the Cavs are relying so heavily on LeBron, that I won’t be surprised if the game resembles a one-man show.
The tendency for an opponent in that case would be to become mesmerized. You still have to defend Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
A competitive player like Michael Redd might also be tempted to match James. Obviously, another (better?) approach would be a passing-oriented team game. The Bucks are more effective when they share the ball.
If you can somehow let LeBron be LeBron, and concentrate on smothering the other Cavaliers, and play selflessly as a team, it may be the best formula tonight. Bucks fans during the days of Lew Alcindor remember that is exactly how opponents played the Bucks. Let the big man get his and stop the others.
Stat of the day: Michael Redd is 0-for-the-road on 3-point shots (0-15).
I talked with Michael after the shoot-around this morning about these topics.
Enjoy the telecast tonight. Bucks Live starts at 5:30 CST.
His assists are up
Posted on November 16, 2007 at 4:05 p.m.
Thanksgiving is much more than football.
If you have followed the Bucks this season, you know that Michael Redd’s dishes have been up. He was at it again Friday afternoon at Milwaukee’s House of Peace.
For the third straight year, Michael has made one of his best assists, handing out 150 complete turkey dinners to needy area families. Over 28-hundred pounds of turkey was distributed. Michael picks up the check while dropping this worthwhile “dime.”
Congratulations Michael, and Happy Thanksgiving.
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Open season
Posted on November 16, 2007 at 12:52 p.m.
Wisconsin deer hunters hit the woods this weekend, so Bango is doing everything he can to stay out of harm’s way, like hanging out with attractive women indoors.
We caught him hiding out with Energee dancer Kayla and Tom Pipines at TV6 last night masquerading as some kind of an expert.
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Bango wanted me to pass along an invitation to all of the deer hunting widows; He will be performing Saturday night at the Bradley Center starting at 7:30 and would like to have you join him for the Atlanta Hawks game. He’ll let you pin dollar bills on his antlers.
Out and about
Posted on November 15, 2007 at 1:11 p.m.
The Bucks squeezed out their third home victory on Wednesday, beating Memphis 102-99.
There were a lot of good things in the game; Michael Redd’s shot was back and good for 31 points. Andrew Bogut scored 23 with 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. Yi JianLian pulled down 13 rebounds, including 7 on the offensive glass, while leading the Bucks with a +18. Mo Williams had 10 points and 12 assists as he stirred the Bucks. Desmond Mason scored 15 points and broke a late tie with a key jump shot.
All that and it took a missed three-pointer at the buzzer by Pao Gasol to clinch. There is never a dull moment.
The Bucks are painting the town today with three special events. The entire team will host 1,500 Milwaukee Public School students for their annual Read to Achieve event at the Milwaukee Art Museum. This year’s theme is “When Fathers Read, Fathers Lead.”
Students will tour the Art Museum, enjoy a book read by a Bucks player or coach, and each will receive a new book to take home. The event is co-sponsored by the Sam’s Hope Literacy Foundation and WISN-TV 12.
Charlie Villanueva heads for the United Community Center later in the day to team up with The American Red Cross in a blood drive. Says Villanueva: “In particular, as a Hispanic-American, I wanted to reach out to the Hispanic community in Milwaukee to encourage them to donate blood.”
More than 60 percent of the Hispanic community has O-negative type blood. They are considered “universal donors”, meaning any patient can receive their blood. However, less than 1 percent of the Hispanic population currently donates blood.
At six o’clock tonight, YI Jianlian will enjoy his first Milwaukee Holiday Festival of Lights. Yi will help power up the event in Pere Marquette Park. Even Santa Claus wants to meet Yi and has scheduled a stop in Milwaukee tonight.
The Big Easy
Posted on November 14, 2007 at 1:16 p.m.
I can almost taste the rice and beans. This year’s All-Star game in New Orleans should be called “Jam-Balaya.”
The All-Star ballots have been released and the Bucks have four names to which you can apply check marks. Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut, Mo Williams and Charlie Villanueva are listed on the Eastern Conference ballot. Voting officially starts tomorrow, Thursday November 15.
A total of 120 players, 60 from each conference are listed. There are 24 guards, 24 forwards and 12 centers from each conference. A media panel put the ballot together before the season began.
You may be disappointed that Yi Jianlian is not on the ballot. The only rookies on the ballot are Kevin Durant in Seattle and Louis Scola, a 27-year-old veteran of international play from Argentina.
I happen to think rookies should not be included on the ballots at all. Let the first-year players of note and ability participate in the annual Rookie-Sophomore game as a way of blending into the All-Star hoopla. Getting used to the NBA in general during your first year is tough enough.
More importantly, they must establish themselves in the league before any consideration is given to their All-Star ability. Perhaps there are exceptions, but why shouldn’t all players “earn” their spurs? Half a season, in your first shot at the league, isn’t enough in my opinion.
There is always the write-in capability for the exceptional rookie. We’ll be watching Yi’s write-in success as the balloting proceeds.
Like everything else in life, there is usually plenty of time to accomplish a lot if you are patient. Be patient and be worthy.
Number one
Posted on November 13, 2007 at 5:08 p.m.
200 million Chinese fans can’t be wrong. On Tuesday, the NBA lists its top ten stories for the past week. As you might have expected, the Yao-Yi match-up last Friday in Houston tops the list.
While we were broadcasting the game in Houston, we certainly had the sense of the game’s magnitude in China. In the arena, and in reality, it seemed very much like any other NBA game. Even Yao and Yi were nonchalant despite knowing the attention they were getting back home.
A few days after the fact, it almost feels like we took part in a studio show conducted at the Toyota Center, for a huge, unseen audience halfway around the world. It was great to be a part of something so magnificent.
It should be noted that the Netherlands has given the NBA the same number of current players as China. The Francisco Elson – Dan Gadzuric showdown never materialized Sunday night in San Antonio, but Danny G assured me it would have had an audience back home of “about fifteen.”
All the world is a stage
Posted on November 9, 2007 at 3:33 p.m.
History in the making can be breathtaking. We have experienced that in Houston today.
When I reached the hotel lobby this morning prior to the Bucks shoot-around, I met Grace Chen of the William Morris Agency’s China office. Grace represents Yi JianLian.
She had just flown in from Shanghai and said she wasn’t sure what day it was in America.
After reassuring her that it was indeed Friday, I asked how many people she thought would be watching tonight’s game on Chinese television. “A billion” she said. I had no reason to doubt her, but upon pressing further, Grace conceded that the audience would likely be a mere 200-500 million. That wouldn’t include two separate web casts and tens of millions of wireless devices.
It is difficult for an American to comprehend an event that will dwarf the Super Bowl.
Fans across China will leave the comfort of their homes early on a Saturday morning and head to bars and clubs and gymnasiums to enjoy a communal exercise. This is extremely rare if not unprecedented in China. People don’t watch sporting events together the way we do. Such is the power of Yao vs. Yi.
In China, the game is being called a clash of Chinese cultures. It is tradition vs. trend and modesty vs. flamboyance.
Yao Ming is a product of strict and traditional sports training in Shanghai. He was free of NBA influences and designer basketball shoes.
Yi JianLian is from Shenzhen, a city of reform and openness. He idolized Michael Jordan, played street basketball and was discovered in a 3-on-3 tournament.
19 television outlets will carry the game in China including the national and state run CCTV. The NBA is hosting a viewing party for 300 at the Duck and Goose Pub in Beijing. The Yao fan club alone is hosting over 50 parties at various sites in Beijing.
This is actually the third NBA game featuring Chinese players, but the first ever in which both players are starters. In 2002, Wang Zhi Zhi of Dallas faced off against Menk Bateer of Denver. In 2004, Yao faced Wang and the Miami Heat.
The last Super Bowl had an average television audience of 93 million viewers. Last week’s battle of NFL un-beaten teams New England and Indianapolis drew 34 million pairs of eyes.
If 200 to 500 million Chinese viewers will watch this game, why is it not being televised nationally in the U.S.? I don’t have that answer, but I’m pleased, because it allows us to be even more a part of this historic global event.
The King Pin
Posted on November 7, 2007 at 5:04 p.m.
We are still reveling in the onslaught the Bucks laid on Toronto Tuesday. You only need to know three numbers to understand; 60.3% Milwaukee shooting; 41.6% defensive FG percentage; Biggest lead 36.
Former Toronto assistant Jim Todd did the Bucks prep work for the game, and obviously nailed the Raptors weaknesses. What I saw was Milwaukee switching most if not all pick and rolls and staying home on the Raptors shooters. It was easy enough.
Now let’s get to this “King Pin” thing. Bucks Radio Voice Ted Davis is married to a very dedicated entrepreneur.
Many years ago, Debbie Davis apparently burned a batch of cookies. Rather than chuckle while Ted enjoyed the charred gems, Debbie had an idea. She set out to develop a rolling pin that could be adjusted to create a different dough thickness for various applications.
We’ll spare you the details, and proprietary ideas, and cut to the chase.
For over seven years, Deb pursued her dream. (Ted always said they owned the most expensive rolling pin on the planet.) That dream came true Wednesday night November 7th, when the Prepology Adjustable Depth Nonstick Rolling Pin debuted on QVC.
Let’s hope the Davis’ are “rolling in the dough” very soon. We know the profits will “Be in the bank and drawing interest.”
Double-secret probation
Posted on November 6, 2007 at 12:40 p.m.
Sometimes, life imitates art. Saturday’s 78-72 Bucks victory over Chicago reminded me of the classic “Animal House” for a couple of reasons. Like the movie, the game wasn’t high art, but it was very enjoyable despite its low-end (point) production.
The second reason came from Fox Sports Net Wisconsin. Mark Metcalf, who played Doug Neidermeyer in the movie, was enlisted to walk the streets of Milwaukee and expound on the virtues of the city and its NBA basketball team. It was great television and is the first example of the production value FSN will bring to Bucks fans this season.
Here are a couple of examples:
Neidermeyer: “You’re all worthless and weak…now drop and give me twenty.”
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