Michael Redd was listed at 6-6 when he came into the NBA in 2000, but my has he grown.
Redd played in six games, for a total of 35 minutes, as a rookie for the Bucks in the 2000-01 basketball season. He will represent the team in the NBA All Star game this coming weekend.
"It's a blessing," is how Redd describes his selection as an All Star. "A dream come true. You work all your career for something like this.
"When I wasn't playing that first year, I just worked hard and tried to learn as much as I could. I stayed in the gym, tried to be a gym rat. I tried to get better at every aspect of the game every year."
You could see Redd, who had starred at Ohio State before he was selected in the second round of the draft, had some talent, even in those sparse minutes his first season.
He appeared in 67 games the next season and averaged 11.4 points per game, then 15.1 ppg. last season. This season, he has moved among the top scorers in the league. And, he also works hard on defense and other aspects of the game.
"I'm really happy for him," coach Terry Porter said. "He has worked very hard and deserves this."
On a team that has de-emphasized individual performances for the concept of team, Redd's selection could spark some resentment, but that has not been the case. "My teammates kidded me a little at first, but they have been very supportive," Redd said. "This is a tribute to them too. It's a tribute to how we have played as a team."
Former teammates Sam Cassell, now at Minnesota, and Ray Allen, at Seattle, also made the All Star team. It was Cassell's first selection.
"I was glad to see that Sam made it," Redd said. "He's been in the league a long time and deserves it."
The deals that moved Cassell and Allen opened up more playing time for Redd, but the Bucks' current All Star doesn't see a competitive thing with his former teammates.
"I learned a lot from them," Redd said. "It will be good to see them again. Just to be with them, and all the superstars at the game, will be a thrill."
Redd scored 20 points Tuesday night in his last game before the All Star break, but the Bucks fell short of the Sacramento Kings, the top team in the NBA, by a 124-117 score. Redd also missed a free throw in the game, after bringing a season-high streak of 53 straight from the line into the game.
The Brew Crew Review
Dan Kolb blossomed into the Brewers' closer last season and hopes to just keep blooming this coming season. "It was a matter of staying healthy and getting a chance to pitch," Kolb said after signing a new contract a couple weeks ago.
"I hope to just build on what I was able to do last season. I think the whole team has taken that attitude. We just want to keep improving."
Kolb was part of the Brewers' winter tour and has made a real commitment to the team. "I think we have an opportunity to really build something here," he said. "I just want to be part of it."
The Brewers will start spring training soon. Look for a Brew Crew Review on what needs to be done this spring as the lead section of this column next week.
The Name Game
Wave coach Keith Tozer will coach the U.S. team against the international stars in the Major Indoor Soccer League All Star Game Feb. 29 ... The Admirals' Tony Hrkac surpassed the 900 career points mark this week ... Michael Taylor scored 41 points to lead Milwaukee Marshall to a 90-84 win over Milwaukee Juneau.
Beyond Milwaukee Sports
The UW women's hockey team won its 100th game in its history last weekend, with a 3-0 victory over Minnesota-Mankato ... Lodi won its 12th straight South Central Conference wrestling championship ... Eric Van Cleave scored a career-high 39 points to lead Reedsburg to a 54-45 win over Waunakee ... UW-Whitewater, ranked No. 9 in the country by D3hoops.com, moved to 19-2 with a 68-64 win over Oshkosh in overtime.
Hot Tix
The Bucks are off this weekend for the NBA All Star game and return to action next Tuesday against Orlando at the Bradley Center.
In the Bucks' absence, the Admirals take over the BC with hockey games at 7 p.m. Friday against Houston, 1:30 p.m. Saturday against Chicago and 2 p.m. Sunday against Cincinnati.
The Wave hosts Dallas at 7 p.m. Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Arena.
In college hoops, UWM hosts Loyola at the U.S. Cellular Arena Thursday night. Wisconsin hosts Ohio State, and Marquette entertains Memphis. Both those games are Saturday.
Gregg Hoffmann writes The State Sports Buzz on Thursdays for OMC.
