The Basketball Diaries: 11/4

For the first time in four years, there is legitimate hope in the city of Milwaukee when it comes to basketball.

Not since the days when Glenn Robinson, Ray Allen and Sam Cassell made up the "Big Three" was there this much optimism circulating around the city. And for good reason, the Bucks are a good team.

Larry Harris did his share of wheeling and dealing this offseason, and set this team up with it's best nueclues since the 1971 NBA Championship season. That's right, even better than the 2001 Eastern Conference runner up team.

That team was built to score. They couldn't stop anyone to save their life, and Sam Cassell was the go to guy down the strecth, no matter what you think. That's not good. Glenn Robinson and Ray Allen failed to step up when it mattered most, and will be remembered as not quite as good as they should have been.

So what makes this team so good? Why should you be legitimately excited about the prospects of possibly making it to the conference finals? I thought you'd never ask...

1. TJ Ford: He's baaaaack. Man does Terrance look good back in the fold. TJ does so much for this team, words cannot even describe. It's a noticable difference.
2. Terry Stotts: Terry Porter was a good guy, but he was too raw, and the only reason why he got the job was because of his roots. Stotts is a very good young coach, and let's not forget he was the top deciple of George Karl. He did have a few head coaching offers during the 1998-2001 run, but decided to turn them down and stay with George until the two had a falling out.
3. The Twin Towers: As Bucks fans, we've always looked at teams with a good big man and thought why can't we ever have one of those? We now have two. Andrew Bogut is going to be a very special player in this league. He has the tools, and the intellect, he just needs the molding. Jamal Magloire is his body guard. Magloire does the dirty work and Bogut cashes in. Plus this allows Joe Smith to come in off the bench, something he is better suited to do at this point in his career. Joe Smith playing 15-20 minutes a night as a reserve is a pretty nice fall back option.
4. Michael Redd: Redd is a bonafide superstar waiting to erupt. I've been pulling for this guy since 2001 and felt all along he would suceed if given the chance to play. Michael Redd will end up being one of the greatest players in franchise history, and has already evolved into just as good of a player as, if not better, Ray Allen.
5. The Nuecleus: This team is virtually all young guys just coming into, or about to come into their own. Magloire, Redd, Simmons are all guys just hitting the high level. Mo Williams, TJ Ford, Bogut and Charlie Bell haven't even cracked the surface yet. Toss in vets like Joe Smith, Big Erv (Earvin Johnson) and Special K (Toni Kukoc) and they've got a nice mix. Not to mention Jiri Welsch, who hasn't even cracked the rotation yet.
6. Larry Harris: The guy seems like hes pure evil and 100% slime ball. But that's somethign this city isn't used to. A win at all costs guy. Granted I wouldn't trust him, or want to meet him in a dark alley (look at him and seriously tell me he doesn't look like "a made guy" if you know what I mean) but he's putting a good product on the floor.

The only thing holding this team back for now is the fact that they play in the toughest division in basketball. Give them a few years, but somethig big is happening in Milwaukee. Basketball and Baseball (who would have thunk it...)

Northern Exposure: Week 8

Results

Green Bay 14 Cincinnati 21
Detroit 13 Chicago 19
Minnesota 13 Carolina 38

Standings

Chicago 4-3
Detroit 3-4
Minnesota 2-5
Green Bay 1-6

Breakdown

It's official, the Bears have won the NFC North. With nine games left in the season, a one game lead may as well be a six game lead in this division. The Lions have too many problems, the Vikings and Packers are bad, and the Bears just keep getting better.

The Vikings continued to be those Vikings we all know and love. One week after looking as though they've turned it around and like they might actually make a run in this division, they failed to get off the flight into Carolina and were blown out by the Panthers. Better yet, Duante Culpepper essentailly blew up his knee and will be sidelined for the rest of the year. The comedy coming out of Minnesota is non stop.

The Packers hung around with another team, only to do what bad teams do. Not win. Everyone who is, or was calling for Mike Sherman's head-myself included-should momentarily cool it. Look, do I have my doubts about him? Yeah, but he has won thre consecutive NFC North crowns, a stat you can't exactly throw by the wayside. You have to let him finish the season, if for nothing else than the reason that his players still believe in him. If the team had given up on him already they would be getting blown out in every game, but they're hanging around. They were in the Detoit game virtually throughout it all, and the other five losses have come by a combined 16. Six losses by 33 points. These are all games they would be winning in years past, but the fire power's just not there this year.

This much is clear, the players believe in Mike Sherman, and the defensive guys believe in Jim Bates. Now if they keep showing progress, those are two pretty good building blocks for next year. Yeah, next year. I can't believe I'm already looking forward to next year in week 8.

Funniest Moments of the Week

And there were many. Lets see, where do I begin. There was...

Chad Johnson giving water to an official and then getting asked for some by another official. Say what you will about him but the man provides us with good comedy.

Chad Johnson earning himself a Giecko endorsement deal by saying "The bad news is you have to face me, the good new is you can save %10..." to Al Harris.

The Vikings game.

Fred Smoot going out of his way to talk trash to Steve Smith, only to get lit up for four penalties, 201 receiving yards, 11 catches and one touchdown. Nice job "Smut". Oh yeah, Smoot was unavailable for comment after the game.

Jeff Garcia going as Joey Harrington one day early for Halloween. At least I think he did, thats the only explanation I can come up with as to why he would throw that pass in overtime.

Stat of the Week

One.

The Packers have one freaking win after seven games.

Upcoming Schedule

Pittsburgh at Green Bay
Detroit at Minnesota
Chicago at New Orleans

In Case You Missed It

The Packers have severed ties with last years third round pick Joey Thomas. While I will agree that Thomas has been horrible, and has been constantly outplayed by Ahmad Carroll, isn't it kind of early to give up on a third rounder whom you thought had so much potential and could blossom?

I don't think Thomas will be a player because he looks slow, he doesn't have good instincts, and I still can't get over him closing his eyes before whiffing on a tackle last year, but can you really give up on him this early when you're this bad?

Upon Further Review

The Bears are actually a good team. Imagine if they had a non rookie quarterback starting, that and another reciever opposite Muhmmad.

Questions of the Week

Reggie Bush or Jimmy Williams?

Am I really looking forward to the Draft already?

Saddest Moment of the Week

Watching Brett Favre attempting to get himself off the ground only to fall back down, absolutely drained and exhuasted after sunday's loss. The look on his face is truely sad. At least to Packer fans, it's as if he's thinkning "Why don't these guys want it as bas as I do?"

"That's great it starts with an earthquake, birs and snakes, and aeroplane..."

With Brett Favre under center, the Packers played the Bengals and not only lost, but were expected to lose going in. What's going on here? Am I dreaming? The Packers are in last place in the NFL and the Bengals lead their division?