SI.com - Bucks send right message

[LUKE23]

Nice article.

When your car breaks down, you hire a mechanic to fix it. When you have ragged shrubs, a landscaper. Leaky pipes, a plumber.

No defense, Scott Skiles.

That was the message the Bucks sent Monday, when they hired Skiles to replace Larry Krystkowiak, who was fired last week. Milwaukee was a defensive nightmare this season, finishing 23rd in points allowed (103.9 per game) and 29th in opponents' field-goal percentage (48.0). The Bucks also were in the bottom third of the league in steals and blocked shots.

Enter Skiles. Setting aside the 2007-2008 season, when the Bulls' turmoil -- some of which could have been attributed to Skiles, who was fired in December -- sabotaged Chicago from the start, Skiles' teams have regularly been among the toughest defensively. In Skiles' three full seasons in Chicago, the Bulls ranked first in field-goal defense twice and were second once. Skiles has been credited with developing center Tyson Chandler, a defensive menace currently terrorizing opponents in New Orleans, and point guard Kirk Hinrich, who was recognized in 2006-2007 on the NBA's All-Defensive second team.

Skiles will have his hands full with the Bucks, who punctuated their horrible defensive season by surrendering 151 points to Chicago in their penultimate game. Center Andrew Bogut and power forward Yi Jianlian are considered by scouts to be below-average defenders, while shooting guard Michael Redd, who showed surprising intensity on defense while playing with USA Basketball last summer, appeared to regress during the season. Redd also developed a frosty relationship with Krystkowiak, which may have contributed to the coach's decline.

Skiles might not have a lot of new faces to help him mold the team into a better defensive unit, either. The Bucks don't have the salary-cap space (they already have $62.4 million committed to 10 players for next season) or enough marketable commodities to drastically change their team in one offseason. (Milwaukee is projected to have the seventh pick in the June 26 draft.)

It will be interesting to see how some of Milwaukee's veterans -- particularly Redd -- respond to their new coach. Skiles is a drill sergeant: He does things his way and expects everyone around him to fall in line. That attitude, while largely effective (Skiles has a career .528 winning percentage, including 2

[LUKE23]

Just listened to SS' press conference. He doesn't mince anything. Very honest about himself and what happened in Chicago. One of the more confident speakers I've heard in a while. Very confident about this hire.

[Thunder Muscle]

I received the culture change I wanted. I'm looking forward to the team's direction. I love both hires so far.

[TheMadMongoose]

This is very exciting. Now lets see how many players are actually here next year.

[day2day]

This is very exciting. Now lets see how many players are actually here next year.

That's gonna be tricky. Here is what I know straight from THE MOST RELIABLE SOURCE, and this is not a joke, you can all speculate who it is, be my guest. Anyhow...Bogut is No doubt staying, Desmond is staying, Sessions is a LOCK, The want to keep YI for obvious revenue reasons and his upside but Fagen wants him out BADDDD. Fagan is already Bitchin'. YI's value at this point is worth a high lottery pick or a baron davis type guy. I AM DEAD SERIOUS. There is literally a 90% chance the players I mentioned earlier that were staying are FOR SURE gonna stay. And if it's between Redd and Mo It will be MO...HANDS DOWN. You should hear some of Mo's T.O. "Rants" in the locker room after games. We need to keep my boy Awvee too, at least he gives it his all.

[ReasonablySober]

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That's gonna be tricky. Here is what I know straight from THE MOST RELIABLE SOURCE, and this is not a joke, you can all speculate who it is, be my guest. Anyhow...Bogut is No doubt staying, Desmond is staying, Sessions is a LOCK, The want to keep YI for obvious revenue reasons and his upside but Fagen wants him out BADDDD. Fagan is already Bitchin'. YI's value at this point is worth a high lottery pick or a baron davis type guy. I AM DEAD SERIOUS. There is literally a 90% chance the players I mentioned earlier that were staying are FOR SURE gonna stay. And if it's between Redd and Mo It will be MO...HANDS DOWN. You should hear some of Mo's T.O. "Rants" in the locker room after games. We need to keep my boy Awvee too, at least he gives it his all.

You kind of freak me out.

[day2day]

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You kind of freak me out.

haha...


Why??

[day2day]

give me your email. I trust you and have always respected yer posts. I'll tell you how I know. Exactly how I know

[trwi7]

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You kind of freak me out.

Me too. Every once in a while he'll pop up with these kinds of posts with random capitalization acting like he has inside info. Maybe put another option in for the Freeway poll.

[ReasonablySober]

give me your email. I trust you and have always respected yer posts. I'll tell you how I know. Exactly how I know

It's not so much that I doubt your source. I don't. It's more the caps thing. I was an English major. Caps and "quotes" are like finger nails on a chalkboard to me.

But if you like, send me an IM:

PerfectRemedy54 on AOL

[MikeIsGood]

"if say Ego Tw7l and Mome (the couple) will talk about eating egos...so I made up a word..."

Twirl, can you tell me where to find this endlessly amazing quote in full context? I missed it and need a laugh.

[day2day]

I wish I wazs FREEWAY. DAMN. That is a dream?? Isn't it? Seriously though. I don't have too much time to post anymore, life is crazy with the brewers now. But I got some insane Hammond Tidbits that you guys would die for. Seriously.

[day2day]

My aol screen name is "chainstrapped" sign on.

[carmelbrownqueen]

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That's gonna be tricky. Here is what I know straight from THE MOST RELIABLE SOURCE, and this is not a joke, you can all speculate who it is, be my guest. Anyhow...Bogut is No doubt staying, Desmond is staying, Sessions is a LOCK, The want to keep YI for obvious revenue reasons and his upside but Fagen wants him out BADDDD. Fagan is already Bitchin'. YI's value at this point is worth a high lottery pick or a baron davis type guy. I AM DEAD SERIOUS. There is literally a 90% chance the players I mentioned earlier that were staying are FOR SURE gonna stay. And if it's between Redd and Mo It will be MO...HANDS DOWN. You should hear some of Mo's T.O. "Rants" in the locker room after games. We need to keep my boy Awvee too, at least he gives it his all.

Fegan didn't want Yi here in the first place so it wouldn't be surprising if he demanded a trade for his client this offseason.

Also, I have heard plenty about Mo Williams ridiculous rants and temper tantrums in the locker room. For all the talk about Redd and his issues no one talks enough about how the focus completely changed from Redd to Mo after his antics in the locker room. All I am hoping is that everyone around the league hasn't been made aware of Mo's personality change.. that way it will make it somewhat easier to get something back for him.

[trwi7]

Twirl, can you tell me where to find this endlessly amazing quote in full context? I missed it and need a laugh.

Page 2 of the playoff thread.

[MikeIsGood]

That is awesome. Thank you.

[xTitan]

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It's not so much that I doubt your source. I don't. It's more the caps thing. I was an English major. Caps and "quotes" are like finger nails on a chalkboard to me.

But if you like, send me an IM:

PerfectRemedy54 on AOL

Hmmmm share with us anything you can DB, especially the stuff on Hammond....I was told today that Hammond has been very well received and the he is very business like but good to the people who work for the Bucks...................

One more thing, sounds like Hammond will be adding yet another person to his staff that handles contract negotiations.

[th87]

Tell me stuff!

hollabackninja@yahoo.com

[MajorDad]

i keep reading the phrase/quote about trwi7 and mome and their egos and how it makes up a new word. but I never saw what that new word was.

Can somebody tel me what the new word is?

[trwi7]

i keep reading the phrase/quote about trwi7 and mome and their egos and how it makes up a new word. but I never saw what that new word was.

Can somebody tel me what the new word is?

I believe it was egoe. I have no idea what it means but that's what Bucks_Revenge typed. You would have to ask him what's in his mind.