Conspiracy Theory: Alpha dog just switched

[EastSideBucksFan]

Now, I've put a few things out there and maybe I'm crazy but this is just what I was thinking last night during the Utah game.


Granted I only saw bits of the Lakers game at the bar and did not see the Phoenix game at all.


But watching the game last night it seemed to me that the alpha dog (Redd) has been replaced by Bogut.

I was getting into this a bit with GAD that I had gotten the feeling over the past month or so that Redd had basically worn out his welcome with his style of play and his dominance of the ball. Couple that with the fact we were doing so horrible something had to change.

I was skeptical of Redd's "thigh contusion" to be honest with you and now that he's back he's seems extremely hesistant to shoot or handle the ball...at least for the first three quarters last night.


For the first time we were actually working an inside out game. Dumping the ball down in the post, doesn't mean Bogut always has to shoot. Giving it to him down there was opening up looks for outside shooters like Bell, Simmons and Redd.

Redd was so successful with Team USA because they didn't force him to handle the ball in iso's and create for himself. They reduced him to a spot up shooter which increases his effectiveness. If Redd is willing to accept this role it will only benefit us.

Bogut was more aggressive in demanding the ball and converting down low against a very good frontcourt. Anyone who thinks he just "got better" recently is not well informed. He's feeling more comfortable and has more confidence because we are actually running the offense thru him.

Now I don't think Redd faked the injury, but maybe he was ailing a bit and decided to sit out to subconsciously spite the team.

LK saw that as a great opportunity to start to feed the ball to Bogut on a more consistent basis.

Now that Redd is back he's trying to "fit in". Kind of strange to hear a #1 offensive option try to fit in on his own team.


Last night the inside/out game thru Bogut worked well for three quarters.

I wouldn't put the blame on Redd and Mo alone for going away from this. Jerry Sloan is a mastermind coach and he made an adjustment. The Jazz did a very good job of denying the ball to Bogut and denying him position to post up.

Sloan decided to make us beat them with our outside shooting and we couldn't do it. Hopefully this illustrates to our team that we can't win this way.


For the first time this year I feel like LK is making his way as an NBA head coach. I see development of Bogut that should have been happening two years ago. Granted, he wouldn't have been as successful as he is right now, but it would've sped his development.

In my opinion it looks like Bogut is trying to take the reigns of this team and become a leader.

For the first time I can actually envision a Redd trade going down, not by the deadline but maybe this summer.

If this offensive balance continues than I see the Bogut as our Alpha Dog and I think I'd rather it that way cause Redd hasn't gotten it done.

Bogut has the competitive fire, the desire to win and the basketball IQ that I trust him more than Redd. Last night we were playing smart, team basketball and for three quarters it was great.

I actually feel like a new brand of basketball might have arrived.

[showtimesam]

I hope bogut becomes our alpha dog, its the best hope for the bucks to become a legit team in the eastern conference within the next couple years.

The great thing about bogut as our alpha dog, is he will play the right way and won't hesitate to get the ball to his teammates down the stretch when the defense focuses in on him (unlike redd).

Plus I think redd is more effective as a catch and shoot type player ala reggie miller.

[ReasonablySober]

I don't think there's some massive conspiracy to keep Redd on the outside looking in or that he was sitting for anything more than health reasons, but I also agree with you that there seems to have been a shift in the way this offense operates and it certainly deals with Redd and Bogut.

Watching the game last night, for the first time in a very long time there were long stretches where I felt Redd was essentially invisible on the court. There would be times I'd see #22 get the ball and it'd occur to me I didn't even realize Mike had been out there.

Conversely, I also felt that Bogut was as active as ever in terms of going after the ball and being a facilitator on offense, whether it was getting his own shot or looking to pass.

He still gets stuck on the elbows a bit too much and not enough in the post, but he's definately upped his agressivenes on O.

[europa]

I don't think Redd faked his injury. I think that's extremely outlandish. However, there's no question the offense has begun to shift more toward Bogut and the good news is he's responding by elevating his play considerably.

I've posted this twice now but I think it's premature to anoint this team as Bogut's just yet. We need to see more of this for a longer stretch of games. If that happens I think the Bucks should make this Bogut's team and make whatever moves after that are necessary.

The good news is Bogut really is trying to take on a bigger role. I've always believed that he was the best hope for a true team leader on this team and we're seeing some signs of that now. He's becoming assertive and his confidence is growing. He's just a smarter player than Mo or Redd and it's not even close most of the time. Whether the team will respond to him is the question but if he keeps playing at this rate they sure as hell better.

What he's doing is playing like a No. 1 overall pick. This is the Andrew Bogut the Bucks drafted three seasons ago. I said last night it's like a switch went on and he's National Player of the Year Bogut again. If this continues, it will definitely become his team.

[Fort Minor]

I see it in a slightly different way...but basically agree with everything.

Bogut's been more vocal on the court this entire year in general. However, it's only lately that his play has reached the level worthy enough for the team to finally begin to respect him as a true leader. Tied in with what you said of Redd beginning to wear out his welcome, I think the other guys are beginning to jump at the opportunity of following Bogut. And why shouldn't they? I'd much rather follow the smart, unselfish, center that can pass well over the tunneled-vision, head down, black hole of a shooting guard.

[MickeyDavis]

Either way we're still losing and while we did win with Redd out it was against cupcakes. I will say that I have changed my position with Redd and would welcome the right trade.

[ReasonablySober]

What he's doing is playing like a No. 1 overall pick. This is the Andrew Bogut the Bucks drafted three seasons ago. I said last night it's like a switch went on and he's National Player of the Year Bogut again. If this continues, it will definitely become his team.

That I agree with.

With Bogut I always got the sense that it was a matter of confidence or the idea that he felt he needed to defer to the vets on the team. At some point, whether it was due to a coach getting on him or he simply came to the conclusion on his own, he realized that he needed to step up and be the man.

[Nebula1]

Either way we're still losing and while we did win with Redd out it was against cupcakes. I will say that I have changed my position with Redd and would welcome the right trade.

I've switched as well and if Redd is traded, I would hope we can get a first round draft choice out of the deal. I'd like to see something like Mo/Mike for Bibby/Moore/1st round pick. Then call up Ramon.

[EastSideBucksFan]

Yeah, I'm not saying Redd totally faked his injury.


But after the team meetings, the public comments, the losses mounting. As soon as he got hurt, he had no problem sitting out to watch the team without him.

It's just a sort of "fine, you think I'm the problem, let's see what you guys can do without me".

Then they won, against some bottom feeders (granted they were bottom feeders that we lost to previously) and maybe Redd began to see the light.


I know this is a small sample size to draw large conclusions from. But for some reason I have a feeling it's going to continue this time.

[Jollay]

Either way we're still losing and while we did win with Redd out it was against cupcakes. I will say that I have changed my position with Redd and would welcome the right trade.

This is the position I'm moving toward as well.

However, we become even younger with a redd trade. I would demand a 1st, an okay/good young talent, and nothing more than expiring pieces.

then patience.

In any case, there is nothing but positives for us if Bogut adopts a new alpha dog mentality. And if it works with Redd/Williams, which I think it still very well could, then even better for us.

[xTitan]

I can tell you one thing that I know beyond any doubt, in the off season I was told that Mgmt felt Bogut would be the best player on the team this year and for them to win he would have to be the alpha dog. I hope we keep seeing this aggressive, confident Bogut, if this stays I expect his mid-range jump shot to come back to him as well. Scott Williams made a great point about Bogut's free throw shooting last night, Bogut was shaky on his first couple throws but as his confidence grew and he made 2 in a row, Williams pointed out that he was no longer thinking or aiming just stepping up and shooting, the same exact problem he is going through with his jump shot. The flip side of this is that I don't believe for a second Redd and maybe Williams are going to allow him to be the lead dog, which will call for a trade. Bogut certainly was not the lead dog in the 4th quarter last night, plus the Bucks do not really have 1 player on this current roster who can make a could post entry pass, my guess is that Ramon Sessions could, based on his college days playing with a strong post player.

My hope is the Bucks can deal Redd, I am just worried that his contract is so unattractive that no one would be willing to give them anything for him.

[EastSideBucksFan]

I can tell you one thing that I know beyond any doubt, in the off season I was told that Mgmt felt Bogut would be the best player on the team this year and for them to win he would have to be the alpha dog. I hope we keep seeing this aggressive, confident Bogut, if this stays I expect his mid-range jump shot to come back to him as well. Scott Williams made a great point about Bogut's free throw shooting last night, Bogut was shaky on his first couple throws but as his confidence grew and he made 2 in a row, Williams pointed out that he was no longer thinking or aiming just stepping up and shooting, the same exact problem he is going through with his jump shot. The flip side of this is that I don't believe for a second Redd and maybe Williams are going to allow him to be the lead dog, which will call for a trade. Bogut certainly was not the lead dog in the 4th quarter last night, plus the Bucks do not really have 1 player on this current roster who can make a could post entry pass, my guess is that Ramon Sessions could, based on his college days playing with a strong post player.

My hope is the Bucks can deal Redd, I am just worried that his contract is so unattractive that no one would be willing to give them anything for him.

Yeah, they showed Utah highlights last night of Bogut stroking college three's. There's no reason he shouldn't be able to knock down the 18 foot jumper here in the NBA. Same thing with free throws. Once he starts taking more, he'll start making more.


As far as the reigns being handed over I don't think Mo has a problem with this at all.

Redd, well that may be another story.

[europa]

I thought it was funny when Williams caught himself on the air before saying he was shocked at how good Bogut was playing. He said:

"I'm sh ..." and then paused and said something like "I'm real happy" or words to that effect. It made me laugh because I agreed with him. It's been absolutely shocking to me how good Bogut has been. I've always believed in him but he has significantly elevated his game of late in a way that frankly I didn't expect to see at this point of the season. This is what I hoped we'd see from Bogut at the start of the season but when it didn't happen, I questioned whether it would at all.

It's been great and hopefully it will continue. I'll give Krystkowiak credit - he is getting Bogut more involved. Now he just needs to do it more consistently and Bogut needs to keep responding appropriately.

[Nebula1]

I think in the NBA, teams often "sit" guys with "injuries" to see how the rest of the unit plays without them. I think it's very common practice. They did it with Lebron earlier this year as well.

[xTitan]

Either way we're still losing and while we did win with Redd out it was against cupcakes. I will say that I have changed my position with Redd and would welcome the right trade.

If the Bucks had beaten all the cupcakes they played they would at least be at the .500 level.

[Buck You]

-= original quote snipped =-




Yeah, they showed Utah highlights last night of Bogut stroking college three's. There's no reason he shouldn't be able to knock down the 18 foot jumper here in the NBA. Same thing with free throws. Once he starts taking more, he'll start making more.


As far as the reigns being handed over I don't think Mo has a problem with this at all.

Redd, well that may be another story.

Exactly. Mo doesn't have any problems with who gets the ball and where, he just wants to start and win. If Bogut can keep doing this consistently I think he can become a leader too. He can put Yi under his wing and tell him to be more aggressive around the hoop because Bogut is doing it and it's working. It wouldn't have worked before since Bogut wasn't being aggressive and he wouldn't be doing what he has been preaching.

[-Jragon-]

I see it in a slightly different way...but basically agree with everything.

Bogut's been more vocal on the court this entire year in general. However, it's only lately that his play has reached the level worthy enough for the team to finally begin to respect him as a true leader. Tied in with what you said of Redd beginning to wear out his welcome, I think the other guys are beginning to jump at the opportunity of following Bogut. And why shouldn't they? I'd much rather follow the smart, unselfish, center that can pass well over the tunneled-vision, head down, black hole of a shooting guard.

I really hope the team adopts him as alpha. To add to these points, Bogut can dominate at both ends of the court which will make him a better leader than a soley offensive stud.

[little_cleo]

Much agree, EastsideBucksfan, although I don't see Redd's injury as "subconsciously spiting the team" but more of a reflection of lacking passion for basketball.

In my opinion, the Bucks need a starter - most likely in the front court. Bogut and Yi could use a solid example of aggressive postplay and defensive pressence that they've give us glimpses of but they sometimes "forget" a.k.a. - floating outside in the paint.

[Rockmaninoff]

Much agree, EastsideBucksfan, although I don't see Redd's injury as "subconsciously spiting the team" but more of a reflection of lacking passion for basketball.

In my opinion, the Bucks need a starter - most likely in the front court. Bogut and Yi could use a solid example of aggressive postplay and defensive pressence that they've give us glimpses of but they sometimes "forget" a.k.a. - floating outside in the paint.

You mean like Zach Randolph? Just kidding. But, I do think a guy like Kirilenko would be perfect for that role. As a power forward in the east, he should be fine. Their aren't exactly a lot of 'beasts' to contend with.

Could you explain your first comment a little more clearly? Who lacks passion?

[BuckFan25226]

Assuming Bogut can keep this up and be the main option for this team. Will Kohl trade Redd? I really have no faith in Kohl at this point. I really have no idea what he's trying to accomplish with this team.

I honestly think you can get a lot for Redd and Williams. I'm just scared, as history has proven, Harris will find something, then Kohl will shoot it down.