By now you may (or may not) have seen the new Milwaukee Bucks TV commercial – featuring Jason Kidd driving through downtown Milwaukee on his way to the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Kidd’s "Let’s Do This" is a mantra for him and his team this year. To play hard; to compete every night; and to connect with the community.
I had the honor and privilege to be the radio voice Kidd was listening to during his drive, and I have to admit – it was energizing to spend time with the marketing folks for the Bucks; to be a part of a new regime.
Wednesday night, I attended the Bucks-Bulls game at the Bradley Center – and again, it was energizing.
I’ve had numerous opportunities to see Marc Lasry – one of the new owners of the Bucks – speak. And yes, again… it was energizing.
It’s been a long time since we in Wisconsin were energized by anything the Milwaukee Bucks did. For too long, the regime of Senator Kohl didn’t allow for energy, for optimism, for success.
Because for as badly as the Senator wanted success, his actions wouldn’t allow it.
But now? The Billionaires have landed.
I’ve never spent time around billionaires, or even spent much time watching them from afar. But there’s an inherent energy when you spend time observing people who are so wildly successful that we convince ourselves that we can be successful, or at least be touched by success.
And to this point the Milwaukee Bucks ARE playing hard. They ARE competing every night. And while they have A LONG way to go in connecting with the community, it feels like they are at least making an effort.
"Jason, you’re on the clock" – me, in the Milwaukee Bucks commercial.
It’s not just Jason who is on the clock. It’s not just the new management, or even the new owners, who are on the clock.
It’s all of us. It’s the city of Milwaukee, the region of Southeastern Wisconsin, and yes, even the State of Wisconsin.
Because the future of the Bucks affects all of us – even those who don’t believe that. Because it effects how the rest of the country will view our city and our state.
It’s time to get caught up in the energy. It’s time to stop fighting it, and see where it takes us.
Mitch
Nelles, aka Thunder, is a long-time resident of the Milwaukee area with some
serious Wisconsin roots.
Born and
raised in Boston himself, Mitch brings a bit of a coastie attitude to his
fandom. He moved to Wisconsin in 1990, where he attended Nicolet High School
and the University of Wisconsin. His grandparents and entire mother’s side of
his family were born and raised in Milwaukee (yes, serious roots).
Mitch
has worked for the Wisconsin State Journal, Milwaukee Bucks and 540 ESPN in
Milwaukee/100.5 ESPN in Madison, serving as the co-host of “Homer & Thunder”
for the past eight years.
Also
very active in the community, Mitch has emceed and auctioneered events for
Make-a-Wish, Variety of Wisconsin, Russell Wilson’s personal foundation and The
Guest House, just to name a few.
Mitch was in the crowd when the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series, when Wisconsin played in the Final Four this past April and when Ron Roenicke inexplicably pitched Shaun Marcum in Game 6 of the NLCS in 2011.
