Last season, though, two NBA teams -- the Phoenix Suns and the Bucks -- hit the 25-game point with identical 15-10 records. By the end of the season, the Suns had 54 wins, the Bucks only 40.
It’s safe to say the Suns had a better team, but it’s also exciting to think that nearly 30 games into this season that the Bucks could be primed to bust out.
So, what’s truly in store for our team in 2007? Is it another struggle to win 40 or is it a run to be one of the best teams in the East? For this fan, I’m beginning to think that it’s more of later. Of course, who really knows what the next four months hold? I do know that it's time for you to pay closer attention to our hometown NBA team.
And, here are six reasons why you need to become a bigger Milwaukee Bucks fan.
Mo Williams
Mo Williams is hot! He’s averaging more than seven points above his career points average of 10.2 points per game and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week (for the games played Dec. 18-24.) Williams averaged 25.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.0 steal in 35.6 minutes per game to help lead the Bucks to 3-0 record for that week. He’s playing with energy and shooting nearly 47 percent from the field. And, hats off to the Bucks for the new “Mo Williams Show” that “airs” during games on the JumboTron. But, why can’t we find it online? Regardless, if you don’t know Mo, you should.
These Bucks can score, just like Glenn, Ray and Sam
Ruben Patterson led the Bucks with 30 points in a Dec. 8 win against Memphis. On that day, he became the third different Bucks' player to score 30 or more points in game in the past eight days: Mo Williams scored 31 on Dec. 1 (33 on Dec. 9) and Michael Redd had 33 on Dec. 6. The last time Milwaukee had three different players score at least 30 points in a game within a span of eight or fewer days was in April 2001, when Glenn Robinson, Sam Cassell and Ray Allen did it in six days. In total, in December alone, the Bucks leading scorer has tallied more than 30 in half of the games.
Bogut’s defense and passing
Andrew Bogut continues to impress. He’s become a charge-taking machine and his court sense gets him more than three assists per night and as of today, eight rebounds per game. The seven-footer also is two points above his scoring average from last year.
Many are playing for new deals
The Bucks have only nine players under contract for next season. That’s good as Charlie Bell, Steve Blake, Ersan Ilyasova, Chris McCray, Ruben Patterson and Mo Williams all have way more than pride to play for. These guys are playing for bigger and better contact deals. And even if they don’t stay in Milwaukee next season that means they’ll sign elsewhere thus freeing up big money for free agency signings by the Bucks.
Redd is a superstar
The casual NBA fan will tell you that the league is all about the superstar. I don’t entirely agree, but I do love watching enormously talented players work their magic. We are blessed to have Michael Redd in Milwaukee. He works hard, speaks softly and carries a wicked jumper. In December, he has let “his” team share the points and it’s helped the Bucks find their groove. Redd, like all the great ones, is amazing when in the zone and he’s more than worth the price of admission.
A great night out
With ticket deals galore; a night at the BC for a Bucks game is one of the best entertainment experiences in town. Get this -- for $40 you can get two $28 tickets, two beverages and two T-shirts for the Jan. 5 game vs. Cleveland). Most games feature seats for as little as $10 and $50 gets you into the lower level (less on special deal nights). Even the courtside seats are “cheaper” than most NBA arenas. Whatever your ticket costs, the Bucks have upgraded the Bradley Center and they truly cater to the fan. They could use some work on their musical selections (future blog coming), but if it’s excitement and energy you crave, Bucks basketball is for you.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
