July 2009 - Posts

• Sessions market coming down to earth... Hakim Warrick... Another center traded East... Charlie Bell wants to do your job

  Posted Jul 29 2009, 09:51 PM by J.D. Mo

  The sky still hasn't fallen on the Bucks as they seek to retain Ramon Sessions. And it probably won't, as the market for restricted point guards is neither so lucrative nor so free.

  The Knicks, who courted Sessions most heavily, decided they'd rather have veteran Sixers point guard Andre Miller for one year than risk $6 million-plus and escalating on Sessions for a few years. In particular, assigning $6.3 million or so to Sessions next summer wouldn't help the Knicks in the Lebron sweepstakes.  

  But Miller turned the Knicks down in favor of a 2-year, $14 million deal with the playoff-ready Portland Trailblazers. The Knicks then went off to talk to Jamaal Tinsley, who won't be nearly as expensive as Miller or Sessions.

  Oklahoma City, thought to be in the Sessions market, didn't bother. Word got around, apparently, that the Bucks are prepared to match reasonable offers.

  On to LA, where the Clippers thought the Bucks might be interested in trading their matching rights for a trade exception and maybe Sebastion Telfair. But the Bucks aren't interested in trading with the Clippers and the Clippers apparently don't want to spend the sort of money on Ramon that the Knicks and Bucks are prepared to.

  And why would Sessions want to join Mike Dunleavy's Baron Davis drama? Then again, why would Sessions want to get in the middle of the Bucks' bias toward Luke Ridnour and newfound crush on Brandon Jennings? Hmm.

  Now Sports Illustrated is reporting that the Bucks are talking to Memphis Grizzlies power forward Hakim Warrick. That's good -- the Bucks need another power player -- make that a young power player -- to help Andrew Bogut and Amir Johnson in the paint. Ersan Ilyasova's young (though not as young as Turkish basketball says) but he's not a power player.

  Hakim Warrick fits the bill. He's also unrestricted, truly a free agent.

  But it's also just a rumor. Good evidence though, that GM John Hammond's looking for the right kind of players, and that he may have some plans for the aging big men at the end of the Bucks bench.

  (The Bucks signed Warrick to a one-year, $3 mill. deal Friday). Ball Don't Lie likes it, and imagines the atheleticism of a Luc Mbah a Moute-Warrick frontcourt.)

  Where does all this leave Ramon Sessions? 

  Let's look at Delonte West's deal with Cleveland last summer. Like Sessions, West was a restricted free agent. But he had started 13 playoff games at point for the Cavs, and was looking forward to starting in 08-09. Cleveland made it known they were going to match and West got no offers, settling for 3-yrs, $13 million, with the 3rd year a team option.

  So West got just 2 yrs, $8.5 million guaranteed from the Cavs, then went on to play more minutes per game (at shooting guard and point) for the 66-win Lebrons than anybody but Lebron. Yes, West and his defense were on the court more than all-star Mo Williams. That's how they do things in Cleveland.

  In Milwaukee, many assume the bidding for Sessions should start with a 2009-10 salary of $5.85 million, the mid-level exception. Andre Miller, a 10-year veteran who led the Sixers to the playoffs the last two seasons, got more than that from Portland -- but he's a better player than Sessions right now. Sessions may never be as good as Miller. Of course the Knicks made Miller an offer before Ramon.

  Sessions' worth is much more comparable to that of West. Ramon's speed and ability to break down defenses off the drive and make plays is superior; West is a much, much better shooter and a top shelf defender with five years of NBA experience. Overall, West is a better, more proven player whose skills lean to the shooting guard position while Ramon is naturally a point guard. 

  I like Ramon and of course I think the Bucks should keep him -- but I don't think he's earned a $5.85 million NBA salary. As exciting as Ramon is as a playmaker, let's not forget: Sessions has started 46 games for the Bucks in 1-plus seasons; the Bucks have only won 13 of those.

  Ramon's partner-in-crime at the point, Luke Ridnour, is set to make $6.5 million this season, the last on a too-rich contract he signed in Seattle. Lucky Luke, who can't seem to stay healthy for a full NBA season, won't see that kind of money again in his career. To boost Sessions' salary to a similar level is premature by at least a year, maybe two - who knows?  This is one of the reasons why he hasn't received an offer yet.

  Back to New York ... where "sources" never say die and still think the Knicks are going to make Sessions an offer of around 4-yr, $26m . ... The Knicks are supposedly waiting to see if the Bucks release Bruce Bowen Friday. That doesn't make much sense, considering that there's little question the Bucks will release the 38-year-old Bowen and save a coupla million. Bowen, one of the leagues top defenders, wants to return to San Antonio anyway. (Boston's interested in Bowen, too, another sign that he'll either find a way to join a title contender or retire).

  What does make sense is that the Knicks will make Sessions an offer, and, more likely than not, it'll bring Sessions and his agent down to earth. But it doesn't mean Sessions'll sign it.

  UPDATE: Or not. Looks like the Knicks are close to resigning Nate Robinson and have brought Jason Williams in to help. Ramon and his agent now stand at sea level.

  ******************************

  A center challenge for Bogut: The East got tougher again today (Wednesday), this time for Andrew Bogut. The New Orleans Hornets traded center Tyson Chandler to the Charlotte Bobcats for Emeka Okafor, who hasn't outplayed Bogut in years.

  In fact, the Bobcats haven't beaten the Bucks in a game in which Bogut played since Nov. 2, 2007. That's five straight wins, including a 17-board game for Bogut this past season and a 25-point performance in January 2009.

  Until he missed half of a blowout win and the final matchup due to his bad back, Bogut had been averaging 15 pts and 12 rebs during the win streak vs. the Cats. A winning matchup for Bogut and for the Bucks. (Game logs link).

  Unfortunately, the same can't be said r.e. Chandler. The Hornets 7'1" Chandler tends to outplay Bogut and the Bucks don't beat the Hornets. However, Bogut and Chandler did not meet last season. Chandler (like Bogut) is coming back from an injury-plagued season (in Chandler's case it's his ankle and a slow-healing toe). He'll join Larry Brown's ever-improving team of tough, defensive-minded players. They won't be the same ol' Okafor Bobcats that Bogut (and the Bucks) used to shove around.

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  Charlie Bell wants to do your job: Ah, some summer fun from the Bucks. Explain in 200 words or less why Charlie Bell should do your job and Charlie'll help you toil at your place of employment. Five winners will be selected, and, yes, Bucks tickets are to be had too. 

  I'd have him help with The Bob Boozer Jinx but they're kinda tight with visiting hours on this ward.

  With no comments

  Filed under: Scott Skiles, Milwaukee Bucks, Andrew Bogut, Ramon Sessions, Delonte West, Luke Ridnour, Charlie Bell, Tyson Chandler, Charlotte Bobcats, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Jamaal Tinsley, Hakim Warrick, Emeka Okafor, Andre Miller, Nate Robinson, Jason Williams, Sebastian Telfair, Baron Davis, Mike Dunleavy

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• Bucks not letting Sessions get away... & other notes

  Posted Jul 26 2009, 08:58 PM by J.D. Mo

  New York Knicks fans were pretty excited last week about the prospects of picking up Ramon Sessions. The Bucks 23-year-old point guard certainly can't shoot or run a game like veteran Andre Miller, the Sixers pointman whom the Knicks also courted -- but Sessions' ability to break defenses down off the dribble has made him one of the more exciting young point guards in the NBA.

  But just because Brandon Jennings has potential and the Knicks want Sessions (as do the Clippers) doesn't mean the Bucks will just let him go bite the big apple. After talks with Sessions/his agent last week, the Knicks apparently decided to look elsewhere. If the Knicks tendered to Ramon an offer (in the neighborhood of 4-yrs, $26 million), he hasn't accepted it, a good indication that the Bucks aren't letting their young point guard slip away so easily.  

  The latest is that Miller accepted an offer from the Trailblazers (3 yrs, $21 million) that the Knicks couldn't compete with ... and now they're setting their sights on the Pacers' Jamaal Tinsley, who sat out last season feuding with Pacers' management (and other drama). If the Knicks are settling for Tinsley, then Sessions, like Miller, may now be beyond their reach.

  What should the Bucks do? 

  1) Take a less passive approach and sign Sessions. Whatever happens with the development of Jennings, the Bucks need to make sure that they've got some player resources to trade with when opportunities to improve come along.

  2) Ignore the Clippers, please. So far the Bucks haven't shown much interest in cutting a deal that would open the door for the Clippers to sign Sessions, and this is a good thing. Just because the Clippers are interested has very little bearing on the Bucks priority of moving forward with the right players. No reason to let the Clippers dictate Bucks roster moves as the team builds to the next era.

  3) Continue to seek trade options with Luke Ridnour and move forward with Sessions and Jennings at the point. Three point guards are one too many, and Luke hasn't made it through a full NBA season in years. No, he's not as attractive to other teams as Sessions and coach Skiles likes him, but a trade opportunity will come along eventually. Kurt Thomas, acquired from the Spurs in the RJ trade, is the kind of veteran with playoff experience who'll help Bucks GM Hammond pull another deal or two together in the coming months.

  Ball Don't Lie weighs in, resting on the idea that Sessions and Bucks coach Scott Skiles aren't such a good match. BDL writer Kelly Dwyer happens to be a Bulls fan, which makes BDL a good source when it comes to Scott Skiles basketball. However, just because Sessions had to share the point with Ridnour last season (despite outplaying him all year) doesn't mean that Skiles is cultivating some sort of fued with his young point guard. Of course, this is a good example of how Bulls fans think, having gone through the Skiles years. Skiles and Sessions worked on Ramon's point game all last season, and they worked hard. The facts of Ramon's free agency and the potential of Jennings don't translate into a lack of interest in Sessions, who's been a Bucks bright spot ever since he arrived from the D-League.

  Brewhoop has more Sessions related notes.

  Journal Sentinel's Michael Hunt is on the Brandon Jennings bandwagon, but he winds up his most recent Bucks column with observations that sound to me like very good reasons to hang on to Sessions for a season or two:

  "But if they can't start surrounding Andrew Bogut with some genuine talent soon, all those sound financial decisions won't amount to a hill of used basketballs. That means Jennings absolutely cannot flop. That means Ersan Ilyasova showing something, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute learning to make shots and Joe Alexander getting it together as a bridge to the future. Eventually, they must begin demonstrating their value to the Bucks or someone else as trade potential."

  ******************************

  Speaking of Ersan Ilyasova, he's officially a Buck. It does occur to me that his game doesn't translate into "NBA power forward" quite as well as Charlie Villanueva's did (no matter how much the Bucks may say it does; remember, when Joe Alexander was drafted, GM Hammond said Joe was a power forward, too.) The realistic hope is that Ersan's better, more consistent perimeter game will help the Bucks improve. But the Bucks still need more power down low than Ersan can provide. Amir Johnson should help in this area, and the versatility of Luc Mbah a Moute, Alexander and Ersan to go along with Andrew Bogut gives the Bucks young front court some nice potential if coach Skiles can figure out how to rotate them all.  It's not such a bad situation for now.

  But looking at the East and the power that the Cavs (Shaq), Celtics (Sheed) and Magic (Bass) added this offseason, checking the Bulls and Heat's interest in Carlos Boozer and the Heat's offer to Laker Lamar Odom ... the Bucks need more power.  So do quite a few teams as the East's imbalance grows and grows.

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  Cavs improve again: The NBA's best keep getting better this summer. The Cavs picked up Jamario Moon, who started at forward for both the Raptors and Heat last season, after the Heat decided not to match Cleveland's $3.2 million offer. The Heat figure to play Michael Beasley more, and this week tendered an offer to Odom.

  Moon, an athletic, good shooting forward, was tough on the Bucks when he was in Toronto, always seeming to make plays and hit big shots. Oh, and he's a good defender, too. Moon'll give the Lebrons even more depth and more versatility than they had as a 65-win monster. And Shaq too. Cripes.

  With no comments

  Filed under: Milwaukee Bucks, Ramon Sessions, Cleveland Cavaliers, Ersan Ilyasova, Luke Ridnour, New York Knicks, Jamario Moon, Amir Johnson, Richard Jefferson trade, Brandon Jennings, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Jamaal Tinsley

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• Is the value of dumping Gadz worth losing Sessions?

  Posted Jul 21 2009, 08:18 PM by J.D. Mo

  In a word, NO. In two words, no way.

  As word of the Knicks and Clippers intentions of making Sessions an offer (brought to you by Sessions' agent), potential sign and trade ideas are floating around in the Bucks-o-sphere. Of course, some of these ideas naturally center on the Bucks getting rid of another of ex-GM Larry Harris' contract headaches, backup-to-Bogut's-backup Dan Gadzuric.

  Sessions is expected to receive an offer this week from the Knicks reportedly in the neighborhood of 4-yrs, $26 million. The most 3rd-year point man Sessions can be paid next under NBA rules is $5.8 million, which means the Knicks are preparing a mid-level exception offer for Sessions. Gadz is set to be paid $13 million -- guaranteed -- over the next two seasons. One option is that the Bucks could arrange to let Sessions go to the Knicks in exchange for a player or two while the Knicks also take on some of the Bucks payroll pain.

  I can't think of any good reason why the Bucks would do this, other than a complete lack of confidence from GM John Hammond that he can swing a trade for Luke Ridnour. (With Brandon Jennings and Sessions in the fold, there'd be little sense to keeping Ridnour around beyond the fact that coach Scott Skiles likes him -- not a factor to be understimated, it should be pointed out.)

  The reasons to keep Sessions are many, starting with the realization that he's the first young point guard the Bucks have successfully developed since Paul Pressey. Since Pressey was, technically, a point forward, one could go all the way back to the 1970's and Quinn Buckner, Pressey's predecessor. If the plan is to build a young, exciting team here to turn the fans back on, Ramon's a keeper -- and already a fan favorite who gets into the lane quicker than mere ordinary NBA point guards.

  Sessions is also a favorite of Bucks development coach Bill Peterson, who was Steve Nash's development coach in Dallas ten years ago. This all seems kind of redundant because keeping Sessions is such a no brainer, but Ramon is simply no resource to be fritted away, even if it helps get the Bucks out from under their past mistakes.

  If the Bucks do match the Knicks (as they should) all they would have to do is find a way to shave $1 million (or less) off the payroll by the February trading deadline to avoid the luxury tax. It's imminently doable. 

  Hammond may have already shaved some of it in trading Malik Allen to Denver for a couple of young players I've never heard of. Not every dollar in that trade is guaranteed, and neither is Salim Stoudamire's salary, so simply releasing a player or two would solve most of the payroll squeeze.

  New Bucks fan blogger Justin Malaise at We're Bucked has some thoughts on all this, and some ideas involving the Clippers and Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, none of the players mentioned coming to the Bucks are really worth having, certainly not worth giving up Sessions. Used, journeyman-type big men are a commodity that the Bucks already have too many of. Young big men (Leon Powe anyone?) are a different story.

  Chubby Wells, Sessions' agent, has some thoughts too, and says "I don't know what the Bucks are thinking."

  I'm beginning to wonder too, especially in dealing with the Knicks, a team with few players of interest beyond big forward David Lee. The Knicks were also interested in Michael Redd last summer. (Redd's a favorite of Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni, the anti-Skiles when it comes to defense in the NBA). If Hammond wants to do business with NY and Donnie Walsh, he should revisit the interest in Redd and keep his young, rising star point guard off the market.

  With 2 comment(s)

  Filed under: John Hammond, Scott Skiles, Milwaukee Bucks, Ramon Sessions, Dan Gadzuric, Malik Allen

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• Ersan returns... Final Summer League Highlights... RJ and who?...

  Posted Jul 17 2009, 08:49 PM by J.D. Mo

  Ersan down, Sessions to go ...

  The Bucks confirmed another step in the right direction, agreeing to terms with Ersan Ilyasova this week. The 6'9" forward was last in Milwaukee in 2006-07, and spent the last two years in playing in the Euroleague for FC Barcelona. His first year as a pro, he played for the Bucks D-League affiliate.

  How old is Ersan? His sheet says 22 so let's go with that. No matter, he's is a versatile player with a much more consistent perimeter game than ... oh, say, Charlie Villanueva, and adds some scoring punch to an already versatile, young Bucks frontcourt of Andrew Bogut, Luc Mbah a Moute, Amir Johnson and Joe Alexander.  Cue that "player of the month" video:

  The deal is reportedly $7.1 million for three years, $2.1 million next season as the Bucks whittle their way under the luxury tax threshold. 

  Assuming the Bucks let veteran Bruce Bowen and reserve shooting guard Salim Stoudamire go, this leaves $4.95 million under the luxury tax number to sign Sessions. The Bucks can go over the luxury tax to sign Sessions -- but they would have to shave salary between now and the February trading deadline to avoid the tax. This is the route the Bucks are on.  

  Point guard Luke Ridnour and the Bucks' grab bag of big men -- Kurt Thomas, Francisco Elson, Malik Allen and Dan Gadzuric -- are the obvious trade fodder that would get them under.

  ****************************** 

  Speaking of trade fodder: Josh Childress says he was "very, very close" to signing with the Bucks. Unfortunately, it wasn't that simple. Childress isn't really a free agent, and the Hawks could've matched the Bucks offer. The Bucks, then, were almost surely investigating trade possibilities with Atlanta. Before acquiring point guard Mike Bibby in 2008, the Hawks pursued then-Sonics point guard Luke Ridnour. That grab bag of big would have come in handy if they were still interested. I also wonder if the Bucks might have tested the Hawks' interest in Joe Alexander, who would have lost his minutes to Childress if both were here.

  The Bucks lost their final summer league game 84-83 to the Raptors Thursday on a last second shot by the Raptors' Quincy Douby. Hot-shooting Jodie Meeks had put the Bucks up 83-82 with a couple of late, long range bombs. Meeks finished with 29 pts and Alexander added 19 and 8 boards. I didn't get a chance to post the highlights Thursday, but here they are:

  Watch highlights from all five games (and other fodder) here (just scroll down).

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  That Richard Jefferson left Nets cheerleader Kesha Ni'Cole Nichols at the alter has been weird news that I don't really care too much about. But RJ did go on Howard Stern to explain what happened.

  But hasn't RJ for much of the last five years also been linked to international supermodel Teresa Lourenco?

  

  I thought so.

  With no comments

  Filed under: Milwaukee Bucks, Ramon Sessions, Richard Jefferson, Joe Alexander, Ersan Ilyasova, Teresa Lourenco, Jodie Meeks, Josh Childress, NBA summer league

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• (more) VIDEO: Bucks rookies impress in NBA summer league

  Posted Jul 15 2009, 05:26 PM by J.D. Mo

  Now that we've had our fun in the brothels skirting Vegas and the hot tubs of Tao, let's address how our summer league Bucks are doing.

  In a word -- impressive. First round pick Brandon Jennings tore through the Sacramento Kings for 13 pts, 14 assists and 7 steals. Jodie Meeks continued his hot shooting, pouring in 20 pts. Joe Alexander looked strong and competent, leading the Bucks with 24 pts. Newly acquired Amir Johnson (just 22 but probably a bit advanced for the summer league) looks long-armed and athletic, and can run the floor. One can only hope that the days of the slow-footed Bucks are finally over. Here's the video evidence:

  The Bucks, 3-0 to start the summer session, continued play Wednesday against the Raptors and rookie Demar Derozan the Bulls. Check how the Raptors aren't making as big a splash about their summer league squad as the Bucks, who've devoted their home page to the new kids. A good sign on the Bucks' youth movement road.

  The Bucks finish summer league play tomorrow afternoon against the Bulls team. the Raptors. I'll post the highlights as they come.

  CORRECTION: Looks like the Bucks are playing the Bulls tonight and the Raptors tomorrow. (I take back anything good I may have said above about Bucks marketing. Can y'all get the schedule right on the home page?Culture change, Mr. Hammond, culture change.)

  Brewhoop's got some Bulls game notes going in his comments section. Jennings, Amir and Joe played well again as the Bucks never trailed after the opening minutes and dominated the 2nd half, winning 87-72 to remain unbeaten in summer play. Joe led all scorers with 18; Amir grabbed 8 boards and scored 17; Jennings dished out 9 assists and chipped in 14 pts. Here's the highlight reel:

  Today (Thursday), the Bucks fell one point short of running their 5-game summer league table, losing to the Raptors 84-83. Jodie Meeks continued pouring it in from downtown Vegas, hitting 4-8 three pointers and leading the scoring with 29 pts. In this one, Jennings turned it over 8 times.

  Meeks the scoring machine. Somebody at Hoopsworld isn't surprised at all that Meeks has been filling it up in summer league.

  They're not surprised down in Meeks' Kentucky home turf either. Looks like GM John Hammond (and his draft guru, Jeff Weltman) did their homework this year.

  Brandon Jennings on youtube. Looks like the work of his agent or his mom, but you'll find the full line of Jennings highlight videos there.

  *****************************

  Bucks business notes:  The Josh Childress flirtation is over. Never made much sense anyway and was probably little more than idle curiosity about what the Hawks might be willing to trade him for. Gotta funny & absurd feeling the Childress thing just might have been a $6 million Dan Gadzuric trade exploration. The Hawks do need something of a center behind Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia. (suppress laughter here).

  I hope nobody in Bucks fandom is getting attached to Salim Stoudamire, an undersized shooting guard the Bucks snapped up at the end of last season. Brewhoop this week learned the details of Stoudamire's non-guaranteed contract, reporting that NONE of his $884,000 is guaranteed if Stoudamire is cut before training camp. If he goes to training camp, roughly half of his salary would become guaranteed.

  Shooting guards Michael Redd and Charlie Bell are returning; Jodie Meeks (who's 6'4") is sharpshooting his way through the summer league; Ramon Sessions is attracting suitors who'll likely drive his 2009-10 salary up over $5 million, meaning the Bucks need to shave payroll wherever they can. There's just no reason to keep Stoudamire, all 6'1" of him, around.

  If the Bucks do take Stoudamire to camp, I promise to add it to the Royal Ivey tab, aka, another rant about GM Hammond wasting his owner's money -- in spite of the present payroll crunch.

  With no comments

  Filed under: Ramon Sessions, Joe Alexander, Milwaukee Bucks 2008-09 Preview, Royal Ivey, Amir Johnson, Brandon Jennings, Jodie Meeks, Josh Childress, Salim Stoudamire, NBA summer league

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