The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

GERY WOELFEL

The zany cast of characters in the Bradley Center isn't going anywhere.

Or, so says Andrew Bogut. And he should know.

Before the start of the NBA regular season, Bogut, the Bucks' veteran center, purchased 100 tickets for all 41 home games and created a wild-and-crazy fan section titled "Squad 6'' -- aptly dubbed after Bogut's jersey number.

Like Bogut, Squad 6 is enjoying a banner season. They have brought a renewed sense of energy to the BC with their array of creative and hilarious chants.

They have frequently targeted opposing players and have drawn responses from many of them. To wit:

When Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade went to free throw line, Squad 6 started chanting, "Novak's better.'' It was a good-natured dig at Wade's former teammate at Marquette University, Steve Novak.

Wade couldn't help but laugh.

There was also a game when Minnesota Timberwolvers forward Kevin Love went to line, prompting Squad 6 to sing "Love stinks.''

Squad 6 got some love for that zinger, too, as Love broke a smile.

Almost nothing seems to be off limits to this irreverent bunch of Bucks' backers, either. Just ask Mo Williams.

The former Bucks and current Cleveland Cavaliers guard was the subject of a "Shave your shoulders'' chant from Squad 6.

Williams took it like a pro, pointing to Squad 6 and laughing.

Or ask Bulls big man Joakim Noah, who before the 2007 NBA draft told this reporter that he didn't want to play in Milwaukee for the Bucks.

Many in Squad 6 haven't forgotten Noah's dissing of the Bucks and greeted the pony-tailed Noah with a stinging rendition of "Dude looks like a lady.''

Squad 6's highly-entertaining performances have certainly gotten the attention of Bogut, who picked up the tab for the season tickets.

"They've come up with some real good stuff,'' Bogut said. "The other teams have definitely noticed, especially when they're making chants against some players.

"Sometimes you even see their teammates laughing at the chants. So they've definitely made an impact.''

Perhaps Squad 6's finest hour came at the tail end of the game against Portland when an out-of-bounds call was being reviewed by officials. Squad 6 then began chanting "Which way? That way.''

A short time later, the entire Bradley Center crowd chimed in and chanted "Which way? That way.''

When the officials awarded the ball to the Bucks, the BC crowd erupted in applause.

"That was probably the most memorable time for me,'' Bogut said. "The 'That way' chant got the whole crowd got involved. That was probably the most rocking I've seen the Bradley Center since the playofs (in 2006).

"It was just awesome to see the whole crowd involved.''

With the Bucks seemingly on their way to the playoffs, there has been some rumblings that Squad 6 might be on their way out, too, and their pricey lower-level seats will be sold at a higher, post-season price

But Bogut squelched such speculation, saying he fully intends Squad 6 being a part of the Bucks' playoff plans.

"It's been a huge success,'' Bogut said of Squad 6. "A lot of people have noticed it and not just here but in Australia and everywhere.

"I've gotten a lot of positive feedback. Obviously, there's some negative Nellie's lying in the weeds who don't like it, maybe 10 percent of the fans. But so be it.

"Squad 6 has been with us since day one. They've been a great support. I'm pretty sure they (the playoff tickets) are part of the orginal package.

"We'll figure out it. We'll get it done.''