Posted by:
Dustin on
October 30, 2007 at
10:04PM CST
BY GERY WOELFEL
The Bucks have talked the talk.
Now, we’ll see if they can walk the walk.
Since the end of last season and through training camp, Bucks officials and players have confidently talked about how they’ll be a vastly-improved defensive team this season. Wednesday night, we’ll see if that is indeed the case.
The Bucks, who were the fourth-worst defensive team in the NBA last season, will play the Magic in Orlando, Fla. The Magic, who were a playoff team last season, have a potent offense that features two big-time scorers: center Dwight Howard and forward Rashard Lewis.
Andrew Bogut will have the unenviable task of guarding Howard, whom Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak calls "a great player to build a team around.’’ You can safely assume Bogut will get plenty of help whenever Howard gets the ball.
As for guarding Lewis, that assignment will likely go to Desmond Mason, whom the Bucks signed during the off-season to specifically upgrade their defense.
Mason and Lewis are quite familiar with each other, having played against each other countless times.
"I practiced against him when we were teammates in Seattle and I played against him (as a Buck and New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornet),’’ Mason said. "I know his game and he knows my game.’’
Mason figures to have his hands full. Lewis signed a gaudy six-year, $118.5 million contract over the summer and it’s a cinch he’s going to be launching shots early and often in his regular-season debut as a Magic.
If Mason and Bogut can keep Howard and Lewis in check, the Bucks will probably win the game and, more importantly, send a resounding message to their fans that, yes, their defense is better.
VILLANUEVA HAS EYES ON THE FINISH LINE: Charlie Villanueva said he’s only a "little disappointed’’ that he won’t be in the starting lineup against Orlando because "I know I’ll be playing a lot.’’
And Villanueva believes he and not rookie Yi Jianlian, the Bucks’ starting power forward, will be playing when it matters the most — at crunch time.
"In this league, it’s not so important who starts but who finishes a game,’’ Villanueva said.
Villanueva, by the way, has a new agent: Jeff Schwartz. He replaces Billy Ceisler.
STORY TIME: Arvee Storey won’t be suiting up against the Magic and it’s anyone’s guess when he’ll be ready to return to game action.
Storey, whom the Bucks signed as a free agent during the off-season, injured his left hip while taking a nasty spill recently in practice. Storey said the pain, at times, has been severe. He also said there is inflammation in the hip.
Storey worked out with his teammates Tuesday and said team doctors are waiting to see how his hip feels after a couple of days before deciding whether have another MRI.
Besides Storey, the Bucks’ inactive players against Orlando are expected to be forward David Noel and guard Ramon Sessions.
QUICK HITS: Li Qun, a former player and coach for the Guangdong Southern Tigers, whom Yi played for last season, attended the Bucks’ practice. Li intends on spending the season in Milwaukee "studying’’ basketball. Besides following the Bucks — he plans to go on some selected road games with them — Li intends on observing some Marquette University practices. ... The Bucks beat Detroit 105-97 in their season opener last season at Auburn Hills, Mich. It would be the Bucks’ only victory against a Central Division opponent all season. The Bucks wound up 1-15 against Central Division teams. ... Yi said his parents, Yi Jingliu and Mai Meiling, would be watching his NBA regular-season debut on DirecTV at their home in China. ... Yi, by the way, is getting acclimated to Milwaukee quite well and even has his own place. ... Krystkowiak on Yi: "As weird as this may sound, there may be less pressure on him to start than coming off the bench and try and do something spectacular.’’ .. The Bucks are offering fans a free slice of pizza Wednesday between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Lobby B of the Bradley Center. Fans will also have the chance to enter to win a pair of round-trip tickets on Midwest Airlines.
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