Milwaukee Bucks Blog – Page 64 – NBA Blog

WNBA teams selling advertising on their uniforms

The New York Times reports: The Phoenix Mercury’s new uniform no longer has the words Phoenix or Mercury. Instead, the W.N.B.A.’s Mercury appears to have been renamed LifeLock, with the 10-inch-by-4-inch name of the identity-theft protection company stretching across the team’s jerseys. A small Mercury logo (the planet, with an M) appears like a badge on the upper left of the jersey. Taking a cue from international sports, where displaying corporate names on jerseys is standard, the Mercury on Monday will announce a three-year deal with Tempe, Ariz.-based LifeLock that is worth at least $1 million annually… During an off-season when one franchise, the Houston Comets, folded and the remaining 13 cut their rosters to 11 players from 13, the W.N.B.A. authorized its teams to let companies place their names on the players’ jerseys as part of broad sponsorship agreements. At least one other team is close to a similar deal.

InsideHoops.com editor says: There isn’t anything surprising or shocking about this, though it’ll still be interesting to see with my own eyes for the first time. Because, while viewing it, I’ll be pondering the obvious: Will NBA teams do this, eventually?

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Andrew Bogut cleared to work out

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond released today the following statement on the injury (incomplete stress fracture – lower back) to center Andrew Bogut (7-0, 260).

“Earlier this week, Andrew underwent further testing on his back in Australia. We’re extremely happy to report that the results of the scan showed Andrew’s injury to be healed and his doctors have cleared him to begin his off-season workouts.”

“This day couldn’t come soon enough for me,” said Bogut. “I’m looking forward to a productive summer in the gym and being in top form for training camp and the 2009-2010 season.”

In 36 games this season, Bogut, 24, averaged 11.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocked shot in 31.2 minutes per game. At the time of his injury, Bogut was one of 11 players in the league averaging double-figures in both points and rebounds, and one of 13 players in the NBA that was averaging a double-double for the season.

Michael Redd says he still has game

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (Charles F. Gardner) reports: Michael Redd wants to dispel any doubts as he makes the long comeback from surgery on his left knee. The Milwaukee Bucks guard is already three weeks ahead of schedule, according to team doctors, and Redd is keeping his customary positive outlook as he enters the offseason and prepares to spend time at home in Columbus, Ohio. After all, it doesn’t do much good to dwell on the two freak incidents that limited him to 33 games during the season. “The one thing I get out of it, I land on Luke’s foot and twist my knee, and Nate Robinson jumps on my ankle,” Redd said. “My body’s not breaking down. I just had these freak accidents, man.” … Redd said he was not worried about any long-term effects when he returns for his 10th pro season, all with the Bucks, next fall.

Howard rests for playoffs, Bucks beat Magic 98-80

The AP reports: Richard Jefferson scored 24 points Monday as the Bucks beat a Magic team missing Dwight Howard and two other starters, 98-80. Ramon Sessions added 19 points in the home finale for the Bucks, providing a late high note in what has otherwise been a disappointing season for Milwaukee… Courtney Lee had 17 points for the Magic, who shot an ugly 31.8 percent from the field and went only 2-for-18 from 3-point range.

Jefferson 35 points leads Bucks over Thunder

The AP reports: Richard Jefferson finished 13-of-21 from the field to tie a season high with 35 points and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 115-98 victory over Oklahoma City on Saturday night… Luke Ridnour scored 18 points and Charlie Villanueva added 14 for the Bucks, who have long been eliminated from the postseason race but will finish with a winning record at home (21-19) with one final game at the Bradley Center on Monday against Orlando… “When he’s knocking down his jump shots, there’s nothing you can do about it,” said Kevin Durant, who had 19 points. “We were getting hands up and contesting but they were going in.”

Hawks beat Bucks 113-105, close in on No. 4 seed

The AP reports: The Atlanta Hawks’ recent string of losses to playoff contenders was understandable, if not particularly convenient. But with the Hawks scrambling to secure the No. 4 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks would have been much harder to explain. Joe Johnson stepped in took care of the potential problem. Johnson scored 30 points and hit a pair of big shots in the final minute of the game, stopping a late Milwaukee rally and nailing down a 113-105 victory Wednesday night… Bibby finished with 22 points and Josh Smith added 21 points and 7 rebounds for Atlanta. Bogans had 22 points and Jefferson added 19 for Milwaukee.

Andrew Bogut won’t rush back

When a really good player (or even a not-so-good player) is injured, the season is close to ending, and the team isn’t making the playoffs, it makes no sense for that player to rush back and try to get some games in. It’s smarter to stay out and continue to heal.

And that’s what Andrew Bogut is doing. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports:

Despite the favorable medical reports received by center Andrew Bogut last week, coach Scott Skiles said that there just weren’t enough games left to try and work Bogut back into rotation to play in a game or two before the end of the season. Bogut has been out since Feb. 3 with an incomplete stress fracture in his lower back.

With 32 wins and 46 losses the Bucks are currently tied with New Jersey for 11th in the Eastern conference. They’re five games behind the 8th place Detroit Pistons.

Grizzlies beats Bucks 107-102 for 4th straight win

The AP reports: Powered by Rudy Gay’s 26 points—including a windmill dunk that inspired a kid sitting courtside to holler, “Rudy! That was nasty!”—the Grizzlies beat the Milwaukee Bucks 107-102 on Saturday to win their fourth straight game, tying a season high… Marc Gasol scored 19 points and had 10 rebounds for Memphis. Mike Conley added 17 and was 4-for-6 from 3-point range, saying afterward that the Grizzlies were “making the game fun again.” Richard Jefferson scored 24 for the Bucks, who remain mathematically alive— just barely—for the playoffs but now would need to win their final four games and wind up in an unlikely multiteam tie for the final spot to get in.

Andrew Bogut recovery is on schedule

waukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond released today the following statement on the injury (incomplete stress fracture – lower back) to center Andrew Bogut (7-0, 260).

“We are very pleased by this week’s test results that show Andrew is well on his way to a full recovery from his back injury. Because his injury required him to rest and refrain from cardiovascular activities for the past eight weeks, we do not anticipate Andrew returning to game action for the remainder of the regular season.”

In the coming weeks, Bogut will begin a supervised strength and conditioning program. He is expected to be fully recovered for the start of training camp in October.

Bucks sign Salim Stoudamire

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Salim (Sah-LEEM) Stoudamire (6-1, 175) to a multi-year contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

Stoudamire, 26, has three seasons of NBA experience with the Atlanta Hawks and averaged 8.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 157 games. He is the all-time free throw percentage leader in Hawks history (minimum 200 attempts) connecting at a clip of 88.2 percent.

Originally selected by the Hawks with the 31st overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, Stoudamire was named a Second Team All-America selection by Associated Press and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) as a senior at the University of Arizona. He also earned First Team John R. Wooden Award All-American mention and First Team All-Pac Ten honors in his senior year with the Wildcats. He finished his four-year collegiate career in 9th place in NCAA history in three-point percentage (.458) and tied for 18th in career three-point field goals made (342).

The Bucks roster now stands at 15 players.