Milwaukee Bucks Blog – Page 60 – NBA Blog

Michael Redd out for season

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced today that guard Michael Redd will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee during the second period of the Bucks loss at Los Angeles on Sunday, January 10.

Redd, 30, underwent an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) exam this morning in Phoenix, AZ, which revealed the injury. Surgery to repair the injury will be scheduled at a date to be determined.

“We are deeply disappointed for Michael who worked so hard to make it back from this injury,” said Hammond. “We know Michael will work tirelessly to get himself healthy again and we will support him fully in his efforts.

“Although Michael is out for the season, we still have over half the season to play. That gives all of our players, especially our younger guys, the opportunity to earn more playing time the rest of the season.”

Redd suffered the same injury last season in a home win over Sacramento on January 24, 2009, and had surgery on March 3, 2009, to repair the injury.

“It’s hard to explain the emotions that I’m feeling,” said Redd. “I know the amount of hard work it will take for me to get back to playing and helping our team, but I will continue to put my trust in God to get me though this.”

In 18 games this season (12 starts), Redd averaged 11.9 points with 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steal in 27.3 minutes.

Redd is in his 10th season with the Bucks, tied with Junior Bridgeman (75-84, 86-87) and Sidney Moncrief (79-89) for the most seasons in team history. On January 5 at New Jersey, Redd moved past Bob Dandridge (11,478) for fourth place on the franchise list in scoring and currently stands at 11,510 points, 84 points behind Sidney Moncrief’s third place mark (11,594).

This season Redd passed Sidney Moncrief (4,000) for seventh place in field goals made on December 16 against the Lakers and also passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2,407) for second place in free throws made on December 26 against San Antonio. He’s one three-pointer shy of 1,000 for his career and 52 away from Ray Allen’s (1,051) franchise leading total for three pointers. Through Sunday’s game, there are 53 players in NBA history with at least 1,000 three pointers.

Redd is also tied for seventh place with Glenn Robinson for games played (568), in fifth place for minutes played (19,205) and 36 steals shy of 600 for his career; just 43 away from Junior Bridgeman and Terry Cummings’ ninth place total in franchise history (607).

Roko Ukic signs in Turkey

Euroleague.net reports: Weeks after releasing its starting point guard, Fenerbahce Ulker has moved to add backcourt strength by signing Roko-Leni Ukic, a former double-digit scorer in the Euroleague. Although Fenerbahce is still in a tight race to reach the Top 16 from Group A, Ukic apparently will not be registered to play in Wednesday’s road game at Montepaschi Siena. Ukic was in Istanbul early this week for physical tests before the announcement was made Tuesday.

Bucks waive Roko Ukic

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on guard Roko Ukic (6-5, 190), General Manager John Hammond announced today. Ukic requested to have his contract voided by Milwaukee, removing any further obligation by the Bucks for the remainder of his contract.

“Roko asked to be released from his contract in order to pursue other playing opportunities,” said Hammond. “We appreciate his hard work and professionalism while with the Bucks and wish him well in his career.”

According to Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “the Bucks are expected to save about $2 million in releasing Ukic, including $1.45 million in a player option which Ukic held for the 2010-’11 season.”

In 13 games for the Bucks this season, Ukic averaged 3.1 points in 7.5 minutes per game. He was acquired along with Carlos Delfino from Toronto on August 18 for Amir Johnson and Sonny Weems.

The Bucks roster now stands at 14 players.

Brandon Jennings fined for Twitter post

Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks has been fined $7,500 for posting a message on his Twitter account in violation of NBA rules, it was announced today by NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations Stu Jackson.

On Saturday, Dec. 12, a message was posted on Jennings’ Twitter account immediately following the Bucks’ 108-101 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Milwaukee.

Jennings “tweeted” the following message in the locker room immediately after the game: ‘Back to 500. Yess!!! “500” means where doing good. Way to Play Hard Guys.’

Players are not allowed to post on blogs, Twitter, etc. directly before, during or after a game.

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Bucks must improve shooting

Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports:

The Bucks’ season field goal percentage number is 44%, which ranks 26th among the 30 National Basketball Association teams. Milwaukee is shooting better than just four teams – Charlotte, Indiana, Chicago and New Jersey.

It’s a major source of concern for coach Scott Skiles, who believes the Bucks will improve their marksmanship.

“That’s the difference between good college shooters and pro shooters,” Skiles said. “When you’re open in your range and your feet are set, that thing has to go in at a high percentage. I would tell you that most of the really good pro shooters, when their feet are set and I’m talking about (being) wide open, 75% of the time that thing should be right in the bottom of the goal.

“At other times, you’ve got to take off-balance shots and you’re driving, you don’t get fouled. So we need all our guys.”

Bucks coach Scott Skiles suspended

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Scott Skiles has been suspended one game without pay for his actions directed at a game official and for not leaving the court in a timely manner following his ejection, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 29.7 seconds remaining in the first period of the Bucks’ 104-102 loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at Bradley Center.

Skiles will serve his suspension tonight when the Bucks visit the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Michael Redd returns tonight

Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

Michael Redd is ready to return in Monday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.

Redd fared well in his first contact practice with some 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 work at Trinity University on Sunday, and he worked out again in the Bucks’ shootaround Monday morning at the AT&T Center.

Bucks coach Scott Skiles said he will bring Redd off the bench against San Antonio after the shooting guard missed nine games with a left patella tendon strain.

“He got through it well,” Skiles said of the contact work on Sunday. “We’ll bring him off the bench tonight and probably not play a lot of minutes or anything. Just get his feet back under him in a game and see how it goes.”

The Bucks have had great chemistry without Redd. Is it possible that his return will actually throw things off? It’s always hard to suggest such things about good players, but keep an eye on it.

Andrew Bogut out 2-4 weeks with leg injury

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced today that Andrew Bogut (7-0, 260) suffered a lower left leg strain and contusion in Wednesday’s 99-85 win against New Jersey that is expected to sideline the fifth-year center for two-to-four weeks. Bogut scored team-highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds in the win and left the game late in the fourth period and did not return to action.

Bogut, 24, was examined by Bucks orthopedic physician Dr. Michael Gordon, M.D., and underwent an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) exam this morning, which revealed the injury.

In nine games this season (all starts), Bogut has averaged 16.1 points, 9.2 rebounds (19th in NBA), 1.9 assists and 1.44 blocked shots (22nd in the NBA) in 33.6 minutes per game. Bogut ranks 11th in the NBA in field goal percentage (.565), connecting on 65 of 115 attempts from the floor.

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Brandon Jennings scores 55 points

Brandon Jennings has made Milwaukee Bucks history.

Saturday night, led by their rookie point guard, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Golden State Warriors, 129-125. Jennings shot 21-of-34 (7-of-8 three-pointers, 6-of-8 free throws) to finish with 55 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (though, four turnovers).

All of Jennings’ points came in the final three quarters. He was scoreless in the first.

The 55 points sets the Bucks team record for most points in a game by a rookie. The previous record was held by Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).

Both teams shot extremely well in this game. Milwaukee hit 52.7 percent of their shots, while Golden State connected on 56.1 percent. The Bucks hit 14-of-24 three-pointers; the Warriors 8-of-20.

Jennings’ counterparts on the Warriors, Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, had great shooting nights themselves. Ellis made 11-of-19 shots for 26 points, while Curry came off the bench of to hit 6-of-9 for 14.

Still, the night belonged to Jennings, who played like a star.

BRANDON JENNINGS 55-POINT GAME NOTES

Brandon Jennings scored a career-high 55 points, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s (Lew Alcindor) rookie record of 51 points, which was set on Feb. 21, 1970. Jennings is only the second Bucks’ rookie, and the third Bucks player (joining Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Redd) to score 50 points in a game. Jennings’ 55-point game marks the 13th 50-point game in Bucks history.

Brandon Jennings’ 55 points are the most by an NBA rookie since Earl Monroe had 56 on February 13, 1968. They’re also the second-most by a player under 21. The most was 56 scored by LeBron James on March 20, 2005.

Brandon Jennings scored 29 points in the third quarter on 12-of-13 from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. The 29 points were the most points for an opposing player against Golden State in a quarter. On Dec. 3, 2003, Voshon Lenard of the Denver Nuggets scored 26 against the Warriors.

Jennings was just two points shy of tying the Bucks’ record for most points scored in a game by a single player. Michael Redd holds the record with 57 against Utah on Nov. 11, 2006. He scored zero points in the first quarter, 10 in the second, 29 in the third and 16 in the fourth quarter.

The last rookie who scored 30 points back-to-back for the Bucks was Glenn Robinson in 1995. On Feb. 8, he scored 37 against Minnesota and on Feb. 14, he scored 30 against Miami.

The Bucks have won four in a row to improve to 5-2. They’ve also won three of the last four home games against Golden State. Their home record against the Warriors has improved to 44-16 all-time.

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Bucks decline Joe Alexander option

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced today that the team will not exercise the third year team option on the Rookie Scale Contract of forward Joe Alexander (6-8, 230).

“It was a difficult decision not to pick up Joe Alexander’s option,” said Hammond. “Joe has missed valuable on-court development opportunities due to injury during his first two training camps, and this year he will miss almost the first three months of the season with his hamstring injury.

“We believe Joe can be a good NBA player, but his latest injury had hampered our ability to further assess his progress.”

The Bucks announced on October 22 that Alexander aggravated his right hamstring injury during rehabilitation exercises and is expected to be sidelined for a period of 8-to-12 weeks.

Alexander, 22, originally suffered the injury during voluntary drills prior to the start of training camp on September 17.

In 59 games during his rookie season, Alexander averaged 4.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.

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