The Green Bay Packers are having a nightmarish year. Not only have they lost both games against Brett Favre and the Vikings but now the key injuries are adding up. Already having serious injury issues at running back and offensive line, now the defense is in trouble. Al Harris and Aaron Kampman went down today and are probably both out for the season.
And yet, this team is still 6-4 and in the mix for the playoffs. The problem is that this team have developed no chemistry or signs of putting together a string of good games together. And with the combination of injuries and highly questionable coaching decisions, it's hard to imagine that changing.
With that said, it's the NFL. Anything can happen. The teams that are hot right now are a couple injuries away from coming back to the Pack. The stretch run has begun. And the Packers continue it this Thursday against the lowly Lions. The problem for the Packers is there is no team they can't lose to. And that includes the Lions, especially on Thanksgiving day.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Bucks Continue Winning
Not sure if the Bucks are for real yet, but this has been a great start to the season. To think that Milwaukee might have a superstar player in this league in Brandon Jennings and lately they have been winning with their other two marquee players, Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut is amazing. The way they changed their philosophy and won with a 3-guard approach against Memphis was genius. Not many coaches would go out on a limb and go away from their low post game and try to win in a different fashion in the second game of a back to back with only a couple hours to prepare.
This road trip should be interesting. The Bucks are playing two teams that have been very good in the past, San Antonio and New Orleans, that are currently struggling. And then they go to Oklahoma City to play a Thunder team that may be the best team they play on this trip. If they can follow up a 5-1 homestand with even a 2-2 road trip with their current injuries, I would be very impressed.
Go Packers today!
This road trip should be interesting. The Bucks are playing two teams that have been very good in the past, San Antonio and New Orleans, that are currently struggling. And then they go to Oklahoma City to play a Thunder team that may be the best team they play on this trip. If they can follow up a 5-1 homestand with even a 2-2 road trip with their current injuries, I would be very impressed.
Go Packers today!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Brandon Jennings Goes For 55
It’s not very often that basketball takes my mind off of football before December, but it happened this weekend when Milwaukee Bucks’ rookie phenom Brandon Jennings went for 55 points in a 129-125 victory over Golden State this past Saturday.
It was the third most points scored by a rookie ever in an NBA game. It was the second most points scored by a Milwaukee Bucks player of any age in a game in franchise history. It was the most points scored by a rookie in 42 years. BJ scored 29 of those points in the third quarter as the Bucks rolled to their fourth victory in a row, their longest winning streak in over two years.
So those are the stats. Now for the reaction. I am absolutely amazed at this kid. And I am so excited that we might finally have a superstar in Milwaukee for the first time since Ray Allen (sorry Michael Redd). Watching the highlights of this game was incredible. The thing that impresses me most about Brandon Jennings is how he has a feel for the game. He seems to play well beyond his years.
Of course, there are skeptics already. Reading a blog after the game, I read about fans complaining that he shoots too much. The response to that was would you rather have Charlie Bell jacking up those shots? No thanks. This is a Bucks team that has been terrible for four years. They need someone who shoots too much especially if that player is actually going to make those shots.
The one thing I don’t agree with though is that we don’t need Michael Redd. I think Redd can play a huge role for this team. That is the role of the shooter who spots up and waits for passes from Jennings or Bogut and then drains threes. Of course he is still the type of player who can penetrate and dish the ball as well, but these are not his strengths. The past four years, we have relied on Redd way too much. Now he can settle into a role as one of three major options and concentrate on playing to his strengths.
I might be getting a little ahead of myself seven games into this young season, but I am excited about this team for the first time in a few years. Even if they don’t get to the playoffs this year, the first seven games are a good sign for the bright future ahead.
It was the third most points scored by a rookie ever in an NBA game. It was the second most points scored by a Milwaukee Bucks player of any age in a game in franchise history. It was the most points scored by a rookie in 42 years. BJ scored 29 of those points in the third quarter as the Bucks rolled to their fourth victory in a row, their longest winning streak in over two years.
So those are the stats. Now for the reaction. I am absolutely amazed at this kid. And I am so excited that we might finally have a superstar in Milwaukee for the first time since Ray Allen (sorry Michael Redd). Watching the highlights of this game was incredible. The thing that impresses me most about Brandon Jennings is how he has a feel for the game. He seems to play well beyond his years.
Of course, there are skeptics already. Reading a blog after the game, I read about fans complaining that he shoots too much. The response to that was would you rather have Charlie Bell jacking up those shots? No thanks. This is a Bucks team that has been terrible for four years. They need someone who shoots too much especially if that player is actually going to make those shots.
The one thing I don’t agree with though is that we don’t need Michael Redd. I think Redd can play a huge role for this team. That is the role of the shooter who spots up and waits for passes from Jennings or Bogut and then drains threes. Of course he is still the type of player who can penetrate and dish the ball as well, but these are not his strengths. The past four years, we have relied on Redd way too much. Now he can settle into a role as one of three major options and concentrate on playing to his strengths.
I might be getting a little ahead of myself seven games into this young season, but I am excited about this team for the first time in a few years. Even if they don’t get to the playoffs this year, the first seven games are a good sign for the bright future ahead.
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