Happy Halloween ... we hope!
Posted on October 31, 2007 at 1:55 p.m.
If you are looking for omens from Orlando for tonight’s Bucks opener, I can only tell you that it has been raining with the sun shining here today. I’ll leave you to figure that one out.
There is a good feel to the day so far. The Bucks ran through a tight shoot-around this morning. Larry Krystkowiak had everything set up for efficiency as always. There was a larger crowd than normal at the morning session, as the Bucks traveling party is larger for this first trip.
The Orlando media focused first on Yi Jianlian and then touched base with Larry K. Yi was asked about the fact that his first game will be televised in China tonight, which will coincide with Thursday morning breakfast. He said his mother and father are eagerly awaiting the telecast. By the way, 35 Bucks games are currently scheduled to be seen in China.
We also learned early this afternoon, that the pronunciation of Yi’s name is technically supposed to be EE GEE-en LEE-en (as opposed to EE GEE-an LEE-an, which is what we’ve been saying). It reminds us of the change for Dan Gadzuric a few years ago.
Our day started with an hour-long conference call with FSN-Wisconsin. A lot of discussion and planning is going into this telecast and I’m sure every telecast this season.
We discussed the pre- and post-game shows, and the elements that we would like to cover all night long. Don’t forget, coverage starts at 5:30 tonight and continues with a half-hour post game show, which will be followed by “In My Own Words” featuring Larry Krystkowiak. Set aside four hours tonight and enjoy this first ride with us.
As I make final preparations for tonight’s game, it’s hard not to remember that 21 years ago tonight, at the Pontiac SilverDome outside Detroit, Jon McGlocklin and I worked our first Bucks telecast together. I had black hair and a lot more of it. Jon looks exactly the same.
Another young guy, who was described as “shy,” made his NBA debut for the Pistons that night. His name was Dennis Rodman.
Rain with sunshine. Rodman and shy in the same sentence. You never know what to expect on opening night.
Five days ... why wait?
Posted on October 26, 2007 at 3:44 p.m.
With one weekend left to suffer through before the season opener on Wednesday, I can’t help myself. I need to talk about the game. So let’s make this the first opponent preview of the season.
You know and I know that one of the first Orlando topics we’ll talk about on the telecast is Dwight Howard’s development. This kid is the real deal. He has never missed an NBA game, so his durability matches his talent.
Howard is Orlando’s obvious offensive focus and we’ll see him posting up all night against Charlie V. and Yi. Howard is one of the game’s best rebounding big men. If there was a glitch in his game last season, it was the turnover. Defensively, Dwight is a great off-ball shot blocker.
Dwight’s development is being pushed ahead with help from one of the game’s greats, Patrick Ewing.
Wednesday night will give us all a quick read on Charlie Villanueva’s return from injury and the potential of Yi, as they work against one of the best young “bigs” in ball.
Last season, Howard averaged 13 points and 9.5 rebounds in four games against the Bucks, both below his 17.6 and 12.3 league averages. His .846 Field Goal percentage against Milwaukee was his best against any team. Howard’s .381 Free Throw percentage was the lowest against any opponent.
There, I feel much better.
Tune in at 6:00 pm on FSN-Wisconsin.
What a Tripp
Posted on October 23, 2007 at 3:06 p.m.
Thanks to Frank Madden and his excellent Just Another Bucks Fan blog, we can catch up with Tripp, South Dakota’s most famous athlete. Jared Reiner, a personal favorite last year, is playing in Spain this season. Jared is blogging his way through that experience and this offering is a good read.
Jared gave us plenty of laughs last season on our charter flights and on the court (air ball free throws). I miss him already. One of my favorite TV moments last season came when our FSN-Wisconsin crew pulled up a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hook shot and ran a split screen with Jared’s hook! It may be the only time in his life that Reiner is used in the same sentence as Abdul-Jabbar.
I hope he has an enjoyable and successful season in Spain and doesn’t play too much “Ole” defense. Reiner is a cool “Gato”. Just thinking about him makes me laugh in the best possible way.
Ain't no mountain high enough
Posted on October 19, 2007 at 9:32 a.m.
Larry Krystkowiak is a perfect fit as Head Coach of the Bucks. He is a straight-up, hard-hat kind of guy. There is nothing fancy and nothing fake. Larry K. coaches the way he played.
So how did he play? I went back in time, and my basement, and found some old copies of Rick Barry’s Pro basketball Scouting Report from the 1989-92 seasons. I thought you might enjoy some excerpts. Here is a compilation from the previews of those three seasons:
SCORING
Krystkowiak averaged 12.7 in 1988-89, noteworthy because he has to manufacture his own points. Milwaukee doesn’t run any plays for him. The 6-9 power forward runs the floor well, moves well without the ball, and has a deft touch around the basket (including an excellent left hand; he’s right-handed).
DEFENSE/REBOUNDING
Best Asset: Aggressiveness…a physical defender who will dish it out and can take a pounding, too. Krystkowiak always guards the opponent’s best forward, be it a 3 or a 4. His prowess is muscle, not finesse, and he is as physical a player (he loves the contact) as there is in the league, as close to an enforcer as Milwaukee has. His short arms don’t help on the defensive glass, where he’s only average for his position.
INTANGIBLES
Krystkowiak plays with a reckless abandon and never-ceasing hustle. A well-disciplined and conditioned athlete, he is where he is on the basis of his desire.
IN SUM
Krystkowiak is a consummate complementary player, whose brand of selflessness always seems to show up on winning teams.
RICK’S RATINGS
Scoring: B
Shooting: C
FT Shooting: A
Ball Handling: B
Passing: B
Defense: A
Def. Rebounding: B
Shot Blocking: D
Intangibles: AA
Overall: B
That’s the written evaluation, now take a look and make up your own mind.
School's in session
Posted on October 18, 2007 at 11:01 a.m.
Bright and early Thursday morning, Andrew Bogut, Ramon Sessions and Yi Jianlian hit the classrooms. The guys visited the Sarah Scott Middle School, Grand Avenue School and Kosciusko Middle School as part of the Bucks annual Read to Achieve Program and School Supply Distribution.
I caught up with the group at Grand Avenue School, which also houses Milwaukee’s Chinese Immersion School. To say Yi was a big hit there is an understatement. In fact, the kids were a bit speechless.
Over 1,500 MPS students will receive a package of school supplies compliments of the Bucks.
Now start studying!
Bye week basketball
Posted on October 17, 2007 at 4:47 p.m.
The Packers have the week off, but the Bucks were scrimmaging in Green Bay last night. It was another great Wisconsin pre-season crowd as the Bucks hosted George Karl and the Nuggets.
The Bucks played without the offensive pop of Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut and Bobby Simmons in the loss to Denver. Like the Packers in week five against the Bears, turnovers did in the Bucks. That’s what the pre-season is for.
Face in the crowd: Former Buck Scott Williams watched the game at the Resch Center on Tuesday. Scott has just been named to the Bucks Television crew for 2007-08. He’ll be analyzing Bucks action on many of the FSN-Wisconsin pre and post game shows this season. It’s great to have Scott on our TV team.
It may be the pre-season, but as you can see, Bango is in mid-season form.
Everywhere you look!
Posted on October 10, 2007 at 9:02 a.m.
LaCrosse, Wisconsin gave the Bucks a full house last night to open the pre-season, and it was great fun. The fans in West Central Wisconsin love the Bucks and were glad to have the team return for the first time since 1999.
The inaugural event in the LaCrosse Center back in 1980 featured the Bucks and the Bulls, so there was a déjà vu element to last night’s victory over Chicago.
One of my favorite back stories to the game: One of the members of the Bucks Hoop Troop and the Rim Rockers Dunk Team is a former LaCrosse City Councilman, having served while in college. Once again, politics and sports converge in Bucks Nation!
Thanks for a great night LaCrosse!
I.H.O.T.
Posted on October 7, 2007 at 8:21 p.m.
As in, the International House of Haircuts. Sunday’s Bradley Center Welcome reception for Yi, JianLian was a stunning reminder of the bright global spotlight that now shines on the Bucks.
The Chinese-American community welcomed Yi to Milwaukee with a rich and colorful international ceremony.
In the community spirit of the event, Senator Kohl reached out to the Bucks newest power forward as he makes his adjustment to the Midwest.
I’m sure Yi appreciated that as much as the new winter jacket he received as a welcoming gift. (It was 85 degrees on Sunday, and in the 40’s Tuesday night in Milwaukee).
First look
Posted on October 4, 2007 at 4:21 p.m.
We got our first look at Yi, JianLian in a Bucks practice uniform today. I got to the Bucks Training Center about 8:30AM and found Yi on the training table getting his ankles taped for his first Bucks practice.
Yi then pulled out a new pair of Nike’s, with “YI” on one heel and the Chinese symbol for his name on the other. It was interesting to note that the Chinese are somewhat subtle with these symbols, placing them on the inside of the heel, rather than on the more visible outside of the shoe.
After lacing up, Yi made his way to the practice floor for the first time. I suppose it looked like a lot of other gyms he has played in, but he seemed to take a moment to soak up his new surroundings.
Then he headed for the ball rack. I thought maybe he was somewhat unfamiliar with the feel of a leather ball, but I learned that the Chinese Basketball Association had used a leather ball for about ten years before joining the NBA in changing to a composite version last season.
After a few warm-up shots, Yi started learning plays with Larry Krystkowiak. The pupil is a quick study. Yi absorbed instructions in English and had little trouble picking up the offense.
When the team began its full practice, it was interesting to watch the other Bucks players work their way toward Yi in order to welcome him in their own way. Most used the opportunity to congratulate him on a good play, or good effort, as their means to make him feel comfortable.
It was an impressive opening day for YI, JianLian.
Arriving in Milwauk-Yi
Posted on October 3, 2007 at 10:44 p.m.
I had the good fortune to be in the Bucks group that picked up Yi, JianLian in Chicago today. It was a memorable experience and part of Bucks history.
The airport scene was colorful, as both of YI’s Milwaukee-based fan clubs were in attendance. A large media contingent was there, and added to the “Rock Star” feel of the event.
I really want to share a couple of moments with you. On the way back to Milwaukee, Yi got a big kick out of seeing his picture on one of the city’s new electronic billboards as we approached the Bradley Center.
After passing the billboard, Yi asked, “Where is the lake?” He knows about Milwaukee.
He also perked up as he saw his new basketball home for the first time. I wondered as I captured his reactions on videotape just what was going through this young man’s mind as he arrived at the Bradley Center some 15 hours removed from his homeland.
Take a look and judge for yourself.
Let's go
Posted on October 2, 2007 at 3:02 p.m.
I heard the sounds of basketball today. The bouncing ball, sneaker squeaks and whistles. The season is underway!
The Bucks went through an aggressive first practice at the Bucks Training Center. As usual, everyone looked good, and appeared ready for another season.
The thing I noticed more than anything was Larry Krystkowiak. This is his team, his practice, and his calling. It was, in the best sense of the description, a one-man operation.
Yes, the assistant coaches were involved, and the entire Bucks staff was doing its part, but this is the Larry K show. He was in charge, confident, calm, cool, and ran a great practice.
Milwaukee, you have a basketball coach.
Welcome to "Paschketball"
Posted on September 20, 2007 at 10:57 a.m.
A young Bucks fan, Matt Gritzmacher, coined the phrase “Paschketball” for this season’s blog. We are stealing it with his permission.
What will “Paschketball” give you over the course of the season you ask? Now that Bucks telecasts will be seen exclusively on FSN-Wisconsin, I will repurpose my TV production responsibilities of the past to give you a running window on the Bucks season. I will share my thoughts in blog form, and also provide you with photo and video coverage of Bucks basketball.
If you are looking for interesting Bucks video, come here first before you check out “You Tube.” I will share my experiences traveling with the Bucks, and we hope to give you video access to portions of Bucks basketball you may not be used to seeing. Who knows, maybe the players will even contribute to “Paschketball”. The point is, I plan to have some fun with this and we hope you’ll join us for the ride. Suggestions are welcome of course.
Welcome to Milwauk-Yi
The biggest story of the summer was the Bucks drafting and signing of Yi, JianLian. While Senator Kohl, Larry Harris and Ron Walter were in Hong Kong getting the important things accomplished, several members of the Bucks staff were in Milwaukee trying to make sure you got the story.
John Steinmiller headed up the effort. Mike Grahl handled the needs of Bucks.com. Dan Smyczek and Matt Wessel were standing by all night in the Bucks Public Relations office. I was asked to make sure a video feed of the news conference and contract signing was available for early morning newscasts in Milwaukee on August 29th.
With the help of Kevin Breen of NBA Entertainment and Michael Ma and Joanne Poon in the NBA’s Hong Kong office, we were able to set up a satellite feed. It wasn’t easy, as the satellite used in Hong Kong was not visible in Milwaukee. We had to get the picture to Los Angeles, and from there, to Milwaukee and the NBA production facility in New Jersey. The feed time was 5:00 AM Milwaukee time.
I learned how carefully you must dial when making international phone calls.
By five o’clock, the Hong Kong contingent had wrapped up the business and news conference part of their day and was meeting Yi’s parents over a celebratory dinner. Ron Walter had his trusty Nikon working and provided these pictures.
With eight recording sources ready and our fingers crossed, we started seeing video footage just after 5:00. Fifty-five minutes later, the feed concluded. I immediately started editing the footage down for local television stations. It took about 15 minutes to cut the tape down to 26 minutes of usable footage.
Then we started making dubs. WTMJ-TV had a live truck at the Bradley Center that morning, so they got the first tape. Channel 58 showed up and they were in business by about 6:30 in the morning.
Just before 7:00 AM, the final two tape dubs were complete. John Steinmiller drove one copy to Channel 12 downtown, as I headed for Channel 6 in Brown Deer.
By 7:45, all four local news outlets had the news conference footage available. Mission accomplished. Milwaukee had video evidence of the big signing.
My next step was to edit a version for Bucks.com:
Then later in that morning Brett Longdin of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel stopped by and we cut down some tape for the newspaper’s website.
It was a long and interesting night as the Bucks welcomed you to Milwauk-Yi.
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