Nov. 3, 2009 2:50 p.m.
Chicago - Bucks coach Scott Skiles told rookie Jodie Meeks to be patient, that he would get his chance to be on the active roster.
And the opportunity has arrived in just the third game of the season, due to Michael Redd's knee injury. The 6-foot-4 Meeks will be active for Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Bulls, and he may get a chance to play in relief of starting shooting guard Charlie Bell.
"It will depend on the game," Skiles said of the possibility of the former Kentucky star making his NBA debut. "Jodie has played well in moments. It's sort of an experience thing.
"There are situations that occur in NBA games that he didn't have in college. Nothing against the college game, but you can get away with relaxing off the ball much more than you can in the pro game. Jodie has some things he has to shore up a little bit, but to us it's nothing more than getting some run on the floor and playing through some mistakes."
Meeks sank a game-tying three-pointer in the final minute of the Bucks' 87-86 preseason loss to the Bulls at the United Center on Oct. 13.
"It was a pretty timely three, and hopefully I'll have the opportunity again," Meeks said. "But the important thing for me is to help the team win, no matter what."
Meeks, the 41st overall pick in the June draft, left Kentucky after a solid junior season when he led the Southeastern Conference in scoring (23.7 points per game). But he knew he would face some major adjustments in stepping into the pro ranks.
"You're playing with the best 2 guards in the world, the best players," Meeks said. "I'm just trying to listen to the coaching staff, listen to the veterans and help out.
"I'm ready. I've been preparing real hard for this situation, and when I get in, just try to do my best."
The Bucks inactives for Tuesday night will be Redd (strained left patella tendon), Joe Alexander (strained right hamstring) and Francisco Elson (coach's decision).