After running their record to 9-1, the Bucks face their biggest challenges to
date this week when they take on the Lakers, Suns and Blazers on the road.
The Bucks have beaten six teams with under .500 records in their first 10
games. They also have struggled in several of the wins, only to pull them out
with a surge at the end or barely hang on to the lead. The three wins against
the Bulls, Raptors and Hawks all fit those descriptions.
"I suppose the good thing is we have been winning without playing our best
basketball," coach George Karl recently said. "I've always thought
you had to do that in the NBA to be successful, but I want us to start playing
better."
His players share Karl's sentiments. "We have not played to our abilities
for a full game yet," center and co-captain Ervin Johnson said.
"We've been winning, but we're going to have to step it up on this road
trip."
The game Tuesday night in L.A. undoubtedly will be billed as a possible preview
of the NBA Finals, although it is very early to start thinking about June. But,
the Bucks can make a statement by beating the only team in the league with a better
record.
Of course, Shaquille O'Neal always presents a problem inside. The Kobe Bryant
and Ray Allen matchup should be a thing of beauty. The Bucks have had success
against the Lakers in recent years.
As for not playing up to their fullest capability, that has been typical of the
Bucks for the last couple years. But, they have developed the knack of turning
it on when they have to, especially so far this season.
"That has been part of our personality, but I hope we mature out of
it," Karl said. There can be no better time to do just that than this week
on the road out west.
Pack Is Similar
The Packers have been playing similar football to the Bucks' basketball. They
barely hung on for a Thanksgiving Day win over the Lions, and have really put
together only one full game of solid football, when they beat the Ravens.
But, at the same time, the Pack is 7-3 and in good position to make the
playoffs. In fact, they have a good chance to still win the Central Division,
especially if they can beat the Bears at Lambeau Field on Dec. 9.
As long as Brett Favre can avoid turnovers, and Ahman Green keeps running the
ball effectively, the Packers should have a chance in all their remaining
games.
Fans of both the Bucks and Packers can expect better, but really don't have too
many things to complain about as long as the teams keep winning.
Immortalized in Bronze
Earl Gillespie, Jim Taylor, George Thompson, Bud Selig and Connie
Carpenter-Phinney will be put into the Wisconsin Sports Hall of Fame at a
banquet Thursday at the Midwest Express Center.
The Hall is a jewel of an organization that has been a well-kept secret except
for when induction ceremonies are held. Wisconsin was the first state to form
its own Hall of Fame, in 1951. Joe Krueger, the former Milwaukee city
treasurer, served as the force behind its formation and ran it almost single
handedly as a labor of love.
For years, the bronze plaques were practically invisible to the naked eye
because they hung so high in the lobby of the old Milwaukee Arena. Then, for
several years after Krueger died, nobody was added to the Hall.
But, the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation now has auspices over the
Hall and has moved the plaques to a new pavilion on the 4th Street side of the
U.S. Cellular Arena.
I have been privileged to write short biographies of each member of the Hall,
which have been posted on the WSDC web site (sportsinwisconsin.com). We also
might develop a book from them.
The class that will be inducted Thursday adds credentials to an already-impressive
group of more than 100 sports figures. Take some time to check out the pavilion
next time you are downtown and the WSDC web site.
Bradley Center expansion
I would love to see a Hall of Fame museum developed as part of the Bradley
Center expansion. Last week, initial plans for a $75 million addition to the BC
were unveiled.
Included in the plans are an expanded seating bowl in the BC itself, a
multi-team store and restaurant, a club lounge, sports interactive area and
other amenities that would make the BC an up-to-date sports entertainment
facility. It's hoped construction could start next year.
This in part is why the BC board has opposed building of a soccer stadium
immediately to the north of the facility. That proposal might still be good, in
a location to the east of the river, but the BC needed the space for the
expansion.
There undoubtedly will be some controversy about using any tax dollars for the
improvements. Coordination also is needed among the Krause group that has
proposed the soccer stadium, the Wisconsin Center Board, which oversees the
Midwest Express Center, Arena and Auditorium, and the BC board. If they work
together, we could end up with a fine sports entertainment neighborhood along
the river downtown.
No Arena Football
The Mustangs finally made it official and said they will not play in the Arena
Football League in 2002. But, they still could return in 2003, after the
Bradley Center work is done. Whether they are still owned by the Vallozzi
family then is up in the air.
Gregg Hoffmann writes The Milwaukee Sports Buzz on Mondays and The Brew Crew
Review on Thursdays on OMC.
