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Ersan Ilyasova suspended one game for punching Reggie Evans

Ersan Ilyasova suspended for punching Reggie Evans

Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova has been suspended one game without pay for punching Sacramento Kings forward Reggie Evans in the stomach, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 5:49 remaining in the fourth quarter of Milwaukee’s 116-102 loss to the Kings on Wednesday, March 5, at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Ilyasova will serve his suspension tonight when the Bucks visit the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.

To view the play, click on this link.

Bucks sign forward Tony Mitchell to 10-day contract

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed free-agent forward Tony Mitchell (6-6, 216) to a 10-day contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Mitchell is the 28th “Call-Up” of the 2013-14 season from the NBA D-League.

Mitchell has spent the better part of the last two seasons with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Milwaukee’s affiliate in the D-League. After going undrafted out of the University of Alabama in 2012, Mitchell signed with Fort Wayne and appeared in 48 games during the 2012-13 D-League season, averaging 21.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Mitchell was named the D-League Rookie of the Year and earned All-NBA D-League First Team honors following the season.

After appearing in 11 games for the Jilin Northeast Tigers in China last fall, Mitchell returned to the Mad Ants in January and has averaged 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in 27 appearances (7 starts) this season. Mitchell is a two-time NBA D-League Slam Dunk Contest champion after successfully defending his 2013 crown at NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans last month.

Mitchell will wear #18 for the Bucks.

Basketball journey continues for Diante Garrett

Here’s the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on a player you probably don’t know a lot about:

Diante Garrett will finally get to play in a “homecoming” game.

Last season the former Milwaukee Vincent star was in the BMO Harris Bradley Center as a member of the Phoenix Suns but did not play against the Bucks.

He returns Monday night as a member of the Utah Jazz and this time as a solid member of the team’s rotation, playing a backup point guard role to rookie Trey Burke.

And his father, Dick, and plenty of friends and family will be cheering him on as the Jazz plays the third game in a six-game, nine-day road trip. Dick normally works the Bucks home games as an usher but is getting the night off to watch his son play.

Milwaukee Bucks waive Caron Butler

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on forward Caron Butler (6-7, 228), General Manager John Hammond announced today. The two sides agreed on a contract buyout.

“When you talk about being a professional and handling yourself with class, that’s what Caron has done here in Milwaukee,” Hammond said. “We thank him for his many positive contributions both on and off the court and wish him and his family well.”

Butler, 33, appeared in 34 games (13 starts) for the Bucks this season, averaging 11.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest. The native of Racine, Wis., scored in double figures in 18 games, including a season-high 38 points on Nov. 22 at Philadelphia. He also tallied a game-high 30 points in a win over Detroit on Jan. 22, giving him multiple 30-point games in a season for the first time since 2008-09. He notched two point/rebound double-doubles this season, giving him multiple double-doubles for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign.

“It’s been a dream come true to wear the Milwaukee uniform which so many of my idols growing up wore,” Butler said. “I’d like to thank Sen. Herb Kohl, John Hammond and Larry Drew for the opportunity to live out my dream of playing for the Bucks. The entire organization has treated me and my family in a first-class manner that we will never forget. I would be remiss if I didn’t also thank the great fans of Milwaukee, Racine and the entire state of Wisconsin for always standing with us during a challenging season. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

Butler was acquired by the Bucks from Phoenix on Aug. 29. Now in his 12th NBA season, he has played in 764 regular season games for Miami, the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington, Dallas, the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee, and holds career averages of 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Bucks, Caron Butler approaching buyout

Here’s ESPN.com reporting on the struggling Milwaukee Bucks who, as bad as they are, don’t seem to have a need for the services of Caron Butler:

Milwaukee Bucks swingman Caron Butler is scheduled to complete a contract buyout Wednesday that sets him up to become an unrestricted free agent by the end of the week, according to sources close to the talks.

Sources told ESPN.com that Wisconsin native Butler, who is earning $8 million this season on an expiring contract with his home-state Bucks, is on course to be released by Milwaukee on Wednesday and thus clear waivers Friday, well in advance of the Saturday midnight deadline by which time he must be set free to be eligible to play in the playoffs with another team.

Bobcats trade Ramon Sessions, Jeff Adrien to Bucks for Gary Neal, Luke Ridnour

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has acquired guards Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions and forward Jeff Adrien. Neal will wear No. 12 for the Bobcats, while Ridnour will wear No. 13.

“We are excited to add a pair of quality players to our backcourt,” Higgins said. “Gary is an exceptional shooter and Luke is a veteran point guard who can help us off the bench. They both have significant postseason experience so they know how to get where we’re trying to go. We look forward to adding them to our rotation. We also want to thank Ramon and Jeff for their contributions and professionalism and wish them the best of luck.”

The 6-4 Neal is in his fourth NBA season and holds career averages of 9.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 234 games played for the Spurs and Bucks, with career shooting percentages of .427 from the field (851-1992), .393 from beyond the three-point line (341-868) and .821 from the free-throw line (243-296). His three-point percentage currently ranks 20th among active players and 50th all-time. Neal, who was not selected in the 2007 NBA Draft and spent three seasons playing overseas in Italy, Spain and Turkey before signing with the Spurs in 2010, was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2010-11, becoming just the second undrafted player ever to earn All-Rookie First Team honors.

In 30 games played for the Bucks this season, Neal averaged 10.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.2 minutes. He shot .390 from the field (108-277), .360 from beyond the three-point line (40-111) and .833 from the free-throw line (45-54).

The 6-2 Ridnour is in his 11th NBA season after being selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. He has played in 758 career games for the SuperSonics, Bucks and Timberwolves, with career averages of 9.8 points, 4.7 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 steal. Ridnour has career shooting percentages of .432 from the field (2816-6519), .351 from beyond the three-point line (552-1571) and .864 from the free-throw line (1268-1468). He has finished in the NBA’s top 10 in free throw percentage in four of his 10 seasons, and his career percentage of .864 currently ranks eighth among active players and 27th all-time.

Ridnour played in 36 games for the Bucks this season, starting 12, and averaged 5.7 points, 3.4 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 21.2 minutes, while shooting .384 from the field (84-219) and .368 from beyond the three-point line (25-68).

A six-year NBA veteran from the University of Nevada, Sessions, 27, returns for his second stint with Milwaukee. Originally selected by the Bucks with the 56th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Sessions played his first two seasons in Milwaukee and averaged 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 96 games. Sessions tallied 10+ assists on 16 occasions in a Bucks uniform, including 12 point/assist double-doubles. On April 14, 2008, Sessions handed out a Bucks franchise-record 24 assists vs. Chicago. He also tallied a career-best 44 points in a Bucks uniform on Feb. 7, 2009, vs. Detroit. Sessions owns career averages of 11.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 439 career games with Milwaukee, Minnesota, Cleveland, the L.A. Lakers and Charlotte.

Adrien, 28, is averaging 2.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in his fourth NBA season. After going undrafted out of the University of Connecticut in 2009, Adrien signed as a free agent with Golden State and appeared in 23 games as a rookie for the Warriors during the 2010-11 season. He played his second NBA season with Houston before signing with Charlotte prior to the 2012-13 campaign. In his four NBA seasons, Adrien owns career averages of 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 108 games.

Coach Larry Drew feeling frustration in Milwaukee

Here’s the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporting on Bucks coach Larry Drew, whose team through Saturday’s games is 8-35 this season, which is the worst record in the NBA:

Larry Drew has been frustrated plenty of times this season.

But it was quite visible Saturday night after the Milwaukee Bucks coach emerged from a 21-minute post-game meeting with his players, following the Bucks’ 112-87 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

And he didn’t mince words when asked about the Bucks’ lack of competitiveness against a short-handed Hawks team that was missing two of its best players – Al Horford and Jeff Teague.

“I’m disappointed in everybody, myself included,” Drew said. “We’re just not playing hard enough. I don’t care what the situation is. And again, me included.

“We’re paid to play hard. I’m paid to coach this team to the best of my ability and get these guys ready to play.”

Bucks guard Carlos Delfino out at least eight weeks after foot surgery

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced that guard Carlos Delfino (6-6, 220) underwent successful surgery this morning on his right foot. The surgery was performed at Sanatorio de la Trinidad in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, by Dr. Donato Villani, Argentinian National Soccer Team physician, who specializes in orthopaedics and traumatology. Dr. Villani was assisted by Dr. Javier Swiatlo and Dr. Pablo Pechervsky, with Bucks team physicians Dr. Michael Gordon and Dr. Samuel Idarraga present.

Delfino, 31, will have his foot immobilized and be placed on non-weight bearing restrictions for a period of eight weeks. Updates on his recovery will be provided as appropriate.

Currently in his ninth NBA season, Delfino has career averages of 8.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He was signed to a free agent contract on July 17 and has not played in a game this season.

Bucks center Zaza Pachulia injured, out with right foot fracture

$Bucks center Zaza Pachulia injured, out with right foot fracture$

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced today that Zaza Pachulia (6-11, 240) suffered a right foot fracture on Dec. 4 vs. Detroit. Pachulia’s foot will be immobilized in a walking boot and re-examined in four weeks.

Pachulia, 29, had an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) exam on Dec. 5 and was examined by team orthopaedic physician Dr. Michael Gordon, who diagnosed the injury. Pachulia has not played in the last two games.

In 17 games this season (11 starts), Pachulia has averaged 6.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25.2 minutes per game. Pachulia ranks fourth in the NBA in free throw percentage (.933), connecting on 42-of-45 attempts from the charity stripe.

Caron Butler would like to eventually become a Milwaukee Bucks team owner

Here’s the Milwaukee BizTalk blog (of the Milwaukee Business Journal) on one of Caron Butler’s future aspirations:

Milwaukee Bucks forward and Racine native Caron Butler has ambitious plans to expand his business enterprises and one business he would like to buy is the Bucks.

Butler is serious about his interest in becoming a major investor in his hometown team. His timing could be perfect because just as his NBA career winds down in two to three years, Bucks owner Herb Kohl likely will be ready to sell.

Kohl, the former U.S. senator who has owned the Bucks since 1985, has said repeatedly that he will sell the team only to a buyer who will keep the Bucks in Milwaukee. Butler, 33, grew up a Bucks fan, moved his family to Racine County after the team acquired him in August and would like to see the Bucks succeed in Milwaukee.