The Milwaukee Bucks have traded Bogut and forward Stephen Jackson to the Golden State Warriors for Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown, sources confirmed to ESPN.com.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Suddenly, Andrew Bogut and Monta Ellis have new homes.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors' swap of franchise faces is an admission by both clubs that the status quo wasn't working.
After all, Bogut was often injured, while Ellis was often in trouble. (In fact, Bogut is currently out with an ankle injury, while Ellis is being sued as part of a sexual harassment case involving a former employee of the Warriors.)
The Warriors are hoping Bogut, a former first overall pick, anchors the middle. Ellis, a terrific scorer, will form an undersized and dynamic backcourt with Bucks table-setter Brandon Jennings.
Bogut and Ellis aren't the biggest wild card in this trade. That distinction belongs to Stephen Jackson, a former Warrior who fell out with management.
Captain Jack, an integral part of the Warriors' 'We Believe' run of 2007, has since made several stops around the league before ending up in Coach Scott Skiles' doghouse.
His return to 'The Bay' will be worth following.
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Written by HoopsVibe News
While it remains unknown whether Sacramento has shown any willingness to trade former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, two sources said Golden State made repeated inquiries about him recently and was prepared to discuss a deal involving Ellis. Evans' former agent just so happens to be Bob Myers, who was hired as the Warriors' assistant general manager in mid-April. Evans is eligible for an extension this summer but it appears unlikely that one will be offered to the third-year player unless he shows major improvement. The Kings can simply wait until the summer of 2014 to gauge the market, as he will be a restricted free agent and they can match any offer from other teams.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Golden State’s acquisition of Andrew Bogut and interest in Tyreke Evans was an admission by the Warriors that they weren’t good enough.
They weren’t good enough to contend. They weren’t good enough to make the playoffs. So they made a change.
Monta Ellis - a small, talented, and temperamental guard - was shipped to Milwaukee for the bruising Bogut, who will anchor the middle when he returns from injury.
Bottom line: they swapped sizzle for steak.
Before pulling the trigger on the Bogut blockbuster, the Warriors reportedly offered Ellis to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the physical Evans.
The Kings refused; however, the focus should be the big picture. The Bogut deal and Evans rumor shows that Mark Jackson, the Warriors’ rookie coach, needs to implement his defensive approach.
And the Warriors took a giant step in that direction with the Bogut deal.
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Written by HoopsVibe News
“I’m not going to let a few boos get me down, and I don’t expect a few boos to get our team down,” Lacob said. “I think everybody has to stay tough, these are tough times, we’re going to go out there and we’re going to compete and we’re going to win. And that’s my job as an owner, too, we’re going to do everything we have to do. Not going to let a few boos stop us. I obviously think whoever was booing is incorrect in their assumptions, but we’ll just let time heal all wounds. Winning will solve all things.”
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It wasn’t the time or place. And it ruined a celebration.
Golden State fans picked the worst moment to voice their displeasure with management/ownership trading scorer Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks for post Andrew Bogut.
They unleashed a parade of boos on owner Joe Lacob when he was leading - or attempting to lead - the retirement of Chris Mullin’s jersey. Mullin and Warrior great Rick Barry were put in the awkward spot of defending Lacob.
To be fair, Warrior fans should be upset. Just not with Lacob.
For years, the club was run like a banana republic by owner Chris Cohan. He hired and fired. He spent wildly and dumped salaries. He applauded and criticized.
In short, Cohan, was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde until selling the team.
Not surprisingly, the Warriors last made the playoffs in 2007, and that was the first time they had qualified for the second season in 14 years.
At least, Lacob has a plan. He hired the best possible consultant, Jerry West. Then he hired the best coaching prospect, Mark Jackson.
Together, West and Jackson wanted a tougher, bigger team, so they dealt Ellis, a fan favourite, for Bogut, an inside anchor.
Will it work?
Well, the jury is out. Lacob, West, and Jackson deserve more time, while Mullin deserved better than having his night overshadowed by fan anger.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
If your favorite NBA team hasn't suffered a significant injury to one of its players recently, you have something to be "thankful" for.
HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: The injury bug is on the prowl, looking to strike an NBA player near you.
Cleveland Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving will miss a month due to a broken index finger.
Irving broke his left hand in the offseason and now the results of a MRI and CT Scan revealed a hairline/non-displaced fracture in the right index finger. The injury will be treated with taping and a splint while the fracture heals, and is scheduled to be re-evaluated in two weeks. It's going to be a long month for Cleveland fans as Irving has been essentially carrying the offense. Since you won't see him play for a month, get your fix by watching this over and over- it never gets old.
Andrew Bynum hurts knee...again...while bowling.
A couple of days ago Bynum confirmed Sixers fans worst fears when he confirmed he hurt his left knee bowling, while rehabbing his surgicially repaired right knee. "In hindsight, I guess you shouldn't go bowling. It's not more than anything I've done in my rehab." Bynum also raised another interesting point that Sixers fans undoubtedly do not want to consider; "I'm taking the position that if that happens bowling, what happens dunking?" Double ouch.
Brandon Roy's knees are done. And so are a lot of other Timberwolves' knees.
Roy had arthroscopic knee surgery on his right knee yesterday and the Timberwolves announced that he will be out for about a month. But does he really have anything left anyway? This was Roy's seventh knee operation since high school and fifth as a pro. Aside from Roy, the T-Wolves are battling injuries at every position.
Drik Nowitzki will miss at least two more weeks.
Is Dirk ever going to come back? Outside of Andrew Bynum, is anyone's knee injury healing more slowly? Dirk said via Twitter he will be back at practice again in two weeks, which means you could assume anywhere from 4-6 weeks until he is able to actually play.
Andrew Bogut to miss at least next three games.
Bogut will not play in any of the team's next three games as he continues to strengthen his repaired left ankle which he had surgery on initially on April 27th. it's encouraging though because he has actually played in three games ths year, but at some point Warriors fans want to see this guy on the floor.
San Antonio Spurs Stephen Jackson and Kawhi Leonard both out.
Stephen Jackson has a non-displaced fracture of the proximal phalanx of his right little finger and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Teammate Kawhi Leonard has left knee quadriceps tendinitis (doesn't that sound painful?) and will miss at least two weeks.The Spurs are hurting so bad at the small forward position, rumor has it that the team is considering acquiring Celtics player Mickael Pietrus.
New Orleans Hornets rookie Anthony Davis sprains ankle.
Davis sprained his ankle on Monday during practice ("Practice...we talkin' about practice.") which caused him to miss tonight's game versus the New York Knicks. Davis sprained the same ankle earlier in the year and it has been a lingering injury. He could miss several games as the Hornets play four road games in the next six days.
Watching Andrew Bogut cram on JaVale McGee last night made me yearn for the big men of old.
HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Sure, there's some big dudes in this year's NBA playoffs, but where are the freaks?
Here's Bogut's jam in case you missed it:
I have always been fascinated by huge NBA players, particularly players over seven feet tall. Because when you see a seven footer in person, it’s almost cartoonish how big they are. But what about guys that are another half foot or more above that?
For as rare as it is to have one of these guys in the NBA at one time, the 1993-94 season saw four separate players 7-4 or above in the league; Manute Bol, Shawn Bradley, Gheorge Muresan and Rik Smits.
At 7-7, Bol and Muresan are the two tallest players to ever play in the NBA, with Bradley and Yao Ming tied for third. Interestingly, Bol’s height was the result of his genetics while Muresan’s was the result of a pituitary disorder.
Even though they were all 7-4 or above they each had different skill sets. Bol was a straight shot blocker, who led the league in blocks twice, who would occasionally drift behind the three point line and nail a three, which looked especially weird. In 1992-93 he actually shot a respectable 31% from downtown. Statistically he actually ended up with more blocks than points in his career (2,086 vs. 1,599). Toward the end of his career Bol played for both the 76ers and Bullets specifically for the purpose of mentoring Bradley and Muresan.
Muresan was more prone to offense and led the lead in field goal percentage twice. Strangely at 7-7, his career average for blocked shots per game is only 1.5. I remember playing as him in NBA Live 96 for Sega and how incredibly slow he was, just like in real life.
Bradley was the most athletic of the four but that was almost his undoing in certain regards because he didn’t just focus on one thing. He led the league in blocks once, but he got posterized as much as any big man in history which warps public perception of his career.
Interestingly, Bradley had two of the best games of his career against Muresan. In the 1995-96 season he tallied a season high 27 points against him, adding 9 rebounds and four blocks. The next season he had his first career triple double on Muresan, with 19 points, 17 rebounds and 11 blocks.
Smits had the most success of any player 7-4 or above in NBA history. In a 12 year career, Smits averaged 14.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 1.3 bpg for his career. He was an all-star in 1998 and played in the NBA Finals.
But what’s interesting is even though they were the biggest guys on the court, they were also the most fragile and for whatever reason unable to handle the pounding on their bodies for long. All four players’ careers were ultimately ended due to lower leg injuries.
Who was your favorite freakishly tall NBA player? Did I hear someone say Chuck Nevitt??
This list is put together for the sake of armchair general managers lazy to research. Many centers will not make their way to the All Star game, which is a travesty. These big men can definitely be nabbed in a trade. If you have an abundance of small forwards and guards, get these guys. Ask Pat Riley. The Miami Heat would love to have any of them. I know the centers listed here do not contain star power. There is nothing wrong with that. They can make or break your team depending on how it’s built. They are better to have than Chris Kaman or Yao Ming since they are consistently injured. Numbers up to date as of December 3, 2010.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Written by Jesse Andrews
The origin of "Fear the deer" is disputed. But one thing is certain: "Don't slag the stag" is being coined right here, right now. Slap it on a poster, Milwaukee. It's all yours! The problem is that in this article, I actually will be slagging the stag a bit. Milwaukee's not surviving Round 1. The Bucks Stop Here, in other words. Go Buck Yourself.Dismantle the Antlers. Why is it so easy to come up with these? Hoof Springs Eternal. Okay, that one might not work. These Bucks Were Made for Milwaukin'. What the hell is happening and why am I suddenly terrible at this game.
When the dust settles after a fantasy draft, we kick ourselves in the teeth with our picks. Why did I draft this guy in the first place? Why did I reach? We ask ourselves that all the time. The guys on this list are inconsistent or gets injured a lot. Or both.
The regular has ended some time ago and it’s time to touch on the players and moments that made this season memorable. The playoffs just started and it is going to take awhile to determine the champion, but I’d like take this time to look back at stuff that impacted the season and future to come. Hold up. There will be some moments that did not impact the season. It was just funny to point out. Dwight Howard wins another Defensive Player of the Year, Scott Brooks wins Coach of the Year, and Aaron Brooks won Most Improved Player. We can safely assume that LeBron James won Most Valuable Player.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Written by HoopsVibe News
The NBA fined Michael Jordan $100,000 for public comments he made last month about the lockout and one of the league's players, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Even Michael Jordan must keep quiet.
Jordan, perhaps the greatest player to ever grace an NBA floor, was fined for speaking about the lockout and Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut.
Of course, Jordan no longer plays. He owns the Charlotte Bobcats, one of the league’s have-not franchises that’s losing nassive sums of money.
As an owner, he’s not allowed to speak publicly about the labour strife. For this gaffe, Jordan was fined $100, 000.
Here’s the thing: His Airness needs help. Without a new collective bargaining agreement, the Bobcats won’t win games, make money, or shake off the apathy that’s killed the Charlotte market.
So $100, 000 is nothing. It’s the cost of doing business, or the cost of stating the Bobcats’ reality. --Oly Sandor.
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Sunday, September 04, 2011
Written by HoopsVibe News
“The first day Stephen Jackson walked into the facility, I knew right then and there it was going to be a different year,’’ Jennings said. “And it’s going to be a year that I think we’re going to be successful.
“The thing about the NBA is the league gets better and better every year. It’s never going to be the same, so I think with Stephen Jackson and a healthy Andrew Bogut and Drew Gooden, I think we’ll be talented enough to play with any of the top teams in the East, hands down.’’
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Brandon Jennings is right to suggest Stephen Jackson will impact the Milwaukee Bucks.
Will it be for better or worse, though?
Jennings believes his new teammate will use his talent for good, transforming the Bucks into a contender out east.
There`s evidence to support this view: Jackson was a champion with the San Antonio Spurs; helped the Charlotte Bobcats make their first-ever playoff appearance; and was terrific for the Golden State Warriors in 2007.
And there`s evidence to refute this view: Jackson bolted on those same Spurs, fell out with the Bobcats, and demanded the Warriors trade him months after signing a lucrative extension.
The hope is that Jackson will warm to his new surroundings. When healthy, Jennings and Andrew Bogut are a solid pair. Coach Scott Skiles will appreciate his tenacity as long as Jackson doesn`t become a distraction.
Who can forget the shenanigans that took place with the Indiana Pacers?
Of course, Jackson’s deal expires in 2013, so he’ll have to perform if he wants a contract from the Bucks or another team.
Jennings is right: Jackson will make the Bucks better. For now, it`s in his interests to do so. --Oly Sandor.
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Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Written by HoopsVibe News
Yes. Marc Gasol is a very key player on our team. He’s one of the best centers in the league and will end up being the best center in the NBA in 2-3 years.
Privately, behind closed doors, the Notorious GM (again, hat tip to my editor) would surely go with the rebounding champion.
Would Wallace take Gasol over Andrew Bynum, Al Horford, Nene, and Joakim Noah? How about the next group of fives with Andrew Bogut, Al Jefferson, Brook Lopez, and Emeka Okafor?
Howard and Bynum aside, Vasquez could argue Gasol is equal to or better than any of these players. There'd be a counter argument, though.
Vasquez is stretching the truth to suggest Gasol would ever be superior to Howard. At least his hyperbole is for a good cause: a teammate. --Oly Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment boxes below.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s cheap insurance. Like Geico. Or All-State.
The Houston Rockets and Milwaukee Bucks both have star centers on the mend, so signing veteran big man Erick Dampier makes sense.
Ideally, Dampier would serve as a bench piece. He'd grab rebounds. Block a few shots. And give Yao Ming and Andrew Bogut a nice break to avoid further injuries.
For that reason alone, Dampier's worth a one or two year contract.
But suppose Yao or Bogut gets hurt –something that isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. Dampier could step in, log major minutes, and provide a defensive presence down the middle.
Bottom line: Dampier would fit nicely in Houston or Milwaukee.
--Oly Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe in the comment box below.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Strike while the free agent iron is hot, folks.
Drew Gooden - a well-traveled post who has played for eight teams in eight years - signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on the first day of free agency for slightly above the mid-level exception because he wants a home.
Milwaukee adds depth up front next to budding center Andrew Bogut, and young point guard Brandon Jennings.
So Gooden, hopefully, gets his security, while the developing Bucks get a blending scorer and rebounder.
-- O.Sandor.
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