BUCKS GET FIRST WIN IN 2014: BUCKS 104 – PISTONS 101
After an excruciating nine game losing streak to start the New Year, the Milwaukee Bucks are finally on the board in 2014. Matching up against the enormous front line of Detroit the Milwaukee Bucks would be without rim protector Larry Sanders, who, along with OJ Mayo, sat out Wednesday night due to illness. Leave it to Caron Butler on Caron Butler bobble head night to pace the Bucks with a hot shooting touch and a an unexpected burst of energy off the Buck’s bench.
BRANDON KNIGHT
Brandon Knight continues to be one of few bright spots on this struggling Bucks team. He had some help tonight which made for a competitive game. Something Bucks fans aren’t accustomed to seeing this year. No doubt it must have felt good for Brandon to beat his old team, despite his counterpart, Brandon Jennings, scoring 30 points.
CARON BUTLER
Caron Butler was brought home to help mentor a young Bucks roster while also providing a scoring punch from the small forward position that this team has lacked for quite some time. Unfortunately, efforts like this have been few and far between. Wednesday night was quite enjoyable as Caron Butler dialed back the clock with energy and a hot shooting touch. Was it simply because it was Caron Butler bobble head night? Or was this effort a statement to the coaching staff that Butler deserves more playing time?
KHRIS MIDDLETON
James Khristian Middleton has perhaps been the 2nd best story of this Bucks basketball season. Widely thought as a throw-in of the Brandon Jennings/Brandon Knight trade, Khris Middleton has been a pleasant surprise with his stingy defense and long range shooting ability. Middleton’s production has fallen off a bit ever since being plucked from the starting lineup in favor of Luke Ridnour. Within the last few game Middleton has found a way to make an impact coming off of the bench as his role becomes more defined in Larry Drew’s system.
ERSAN ILYASOVA
Ersan Ilyasova seems to take the first half of the basketball season to remember how to play basketball. Around this time of year he always seems to put it together and have a strong 2nd half of the season to convince the front office not to move him in the offseason. It appeared as if this season would be no different as Ersan started to come on since the calendar flipped to January, eventually erupting for 29 points and 9 rebounds against Toronto on January 13th. But then Ilyasova failed to score in double figures again until Wednesday night where he was able to score a quiet 12 points. Will Ersan Ilyasova be a Milwaukee Buck past this year’s trade deadline?
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO
Bucks fans have gotten used to seeing the “Greek Freak” have 3-4 highlight reel plays per game ever since Giannis was added to the starting lineup. Wednesday was a bit unusual as Antetokounmpo’s performance was a bit pedestrian. He did snatch a few rebounds and immediately start pushing the pace which never gets old. It’s wildly entertaining watching this kid grow on and off the court.
EPKE UDOH
It’s tough to watch a guy with the physical tools possessed by Epke Udoh have such a difficult time rebounding. Sometimes when I can’t sleep, I try and think of players I would have taken before Epke Udoh in the 2010 NBA Draft. Greg Monroe, Avery Bradley, and Paul George are just a handful. What did the Warriors see in this guy?
JOHN HENSON
John Henson has been having a strong sophmore season backing up the hype he received during this summer’s NBA Summer League. John Henson had put together three straight double-doubles coming into Wednesday night’s game. The size and girth of Detroit’s front court proved a bit challenging for Henson as he was limited to just three rebounds. THREE. John Henson would benefit from going on the Eddie Lacy pre training camp diet.
MIROSLAV RADULJICA
Miroslav Raduljica came to Milwaukee in what was a bit of a head scratching move at the time. A team with John Henson, Larry Sanders, Epke Udoh, and freshly signed Zaza Pachulia all capable of center duties, it was tough to see a need for another big man. Miroslav has many fans praising the move with his recent play. One of Milwaukee’s weaknesses has been a lack of an inside scorer. The more Raduljica plays, the more he shows his ability to score in the paint. With a soft touch by the rim and an ability to make free throws, the Serbian has proven to be an NBA quality big man.
LUKE RIDNOUR
Luke Ridnour was added to the starting lineup on New Year’s Eve to take some of the pressure off of Brandon Knight in running the offense. The Bucks blew out the Lakers that night and Ridnour has started with Knight in the back court in the majority of games since. Starting a point guard with Knight has proven beneficial, but what is Luke Ridnour doing for Knight that Nate Wolters can’t? Ugh.