The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

BY GERY WOELFEL

Most of the Milwaukee Bucks coaches and players had already departed the premises.

The only ones remaining on the basketball court at the Cousins Center – the Bucks’ training facility in St. Francis – were rookie forward Joe Alexander and a camera crew from NBA Entertainment.

With cameras rolling, Alexander put on a show. The highly-athletic Alexander did a myriad of scintillating dunks that would have undoubtedly brought nods of approval from Dr. J. or Air Jordan if they were in attendance.

The 6-foot-8 Alexander repeatedly rose gracefully above the rim before throwing down a thunderous dunk.

One time, Alexander took a few steps before ascending to the point where his head was level with the rim.

Alexander then banged his forehead against the rim not once but twice while delivering a dunk.

Standing at the opposite end of the court, Bucks center Andrew Bogut thoroughly enjoyed Alexander’s gravity-defying feat, so much so that he wanted to see Alexander do it again.

And Alexander did.

Many more people may get the opportunity to see Alexander's high-wire act in February during All-Star Weekend in Phoenix.

Alexander is one of three NBA rookies who'll compete for a spot in the Slam Dunk contest. The other two rookies are guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder and swingman Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The winner will be determined in fan voting at http://www.nba.com/

Alexander, the former West Virginua standout who was the eighth overall selection in last June's NBA draft, said he'd love to showcase his dunking skills in Phoenix.

“I’d like to be in the dunk contest very much,’’ Alexander said. “I’m very excited about possibly being able to do that.

“I’ve have a lot of different dunks. Now I might have that chance to bring them out for others to see.''

Alexander said his vertical leap was measured at 38 inches at the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando last summer, but added his vertical leap is even higher than that.

“It’s really 55,’’ said Alexander, laughing. “Nah, it’s about 40. It’s definitely higher than they measured at the combine.’’

So, who is Alexander’s all-time favorite dunker?

“Takayo Siddle,’’ Alexander said.

Takayo Siddle?

“I swear to God,’’ Alexander said. “He’s a point guard at Gardner-Webb. He’s 5-10. He dunks through his legs. … He’s ridiculous.’’

While Alexander is fired-up about the possibility of being in the Dunk Contest, it doesn’t preoccupy him. He’s got more pressing concerns -- like being a better basketball player and contributing more for the Bucks.

While several of his fellow rookies are garnering major minutes and already making an impact, Alexander’s minutes have been sp#####.

He’s playing behind a talented veteran in Richard Jefferson at small forward and gets spot minutes at power forward behind Luc Mbah a Moute and Charlie Villanueva.

Alexander has appeared in 24 of the Bucks’ 29 games and is averaging 4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 11.9 minutes.

“I’m not frustrated,’’ said Alexander, who’ll turn 22 on Dec. 26. “I knew coming in that I would have things to learn.

“If I didn’t have anything to learn, then I would have averaged 50 points a game in college.

“And I’m not frustrated that the other (rookies) are doing well. We had a good class coming in. Everyone expected a lot out of this class.

“We knew we had guys who could make immediate impacts and that’s what has happened. They have delivered.

“I thought of myself right from the start as someone who was going to need time to develop. That’s the way I’ve always operated in high school, in prep school, in college.

“It’s no different in the NBA. It’s going to take time to develop, but I’ll be all right.

 “I feel I’m improving every day.’’

Bucks coach Scott Skiles concurred, saying Alexander is gradually making the transition from the college game to the pro game.

“He’s coming along,’’ Skiles said. “In the last month, he’s been much better in practice and I’ve tried to spot play him.

“I thought he played well in the fourth quarter the other night (against the Clipppers). He does some things.

“But he’s in a tough spot. He’s got some quality guys in front of him and he’s got a lot to learn.

“But he’s very athletic. He’s got excellent speed. He jumps well, he’s got a quick first step. He’s a fantastic athlete.''

And, as those who were in the Cousins Center gym last week will attest, a fantastic dunker.

* Do the Bucks have any interest at all in veteran point guard Stephon Marbury, who has fallen out of favor with New York Knicks?

"I don't want to comment on that,'' said Skiles, who coached Marbury several years ago in Phoenix.

You can safely interpret that as a no.

Skiles said he didn't have any idea where Marbury, who was selected by the Bucks in the 1996 draft beforebeing immediately dealt to Minnesota for Ray Allen and Andrew Lang, would win up.

I've been told Miami, Boston, Phoenix and perhaps Toronto could be Marbury courters.

* Former Bucks head coach Larry Krystkowiak won't be joining the Oklahoma City coaching staff after all. 

Two weeks ago, it appeared Krystkowiak was going to accept an offer to become an assistant for Thunder, whose head coach is Scott Brooks, a friend of Krystkowiak’s.

But the word now is Krystkowiak, who has one year left on his contract with the Bucks, has declined the offer.

Krystkowiak and his family have been living in the Milwaukee area, but are expected to move to the San Diego area.