If ever good intentions were a meter for success in the NBA, then the Milwaukee Bucks would stand a good chance this season, beginning in three weeks.
But, as always, it's a matter of whether the Bucks are reborn this year under a new head coach, Larry Krystkowiak, whether they become a team that plays defense better than that resembling the Badgers on football Saturday, or run an offense that involves passing the ball and running real plays.
That's the substantive measure, but it's nonetheless interesting to notice how a team changes its surroundings under new coaching.
One clear difference is the signage around the Cousins Center, the Bucks' training facility. Eleven different signs remind the current roster of the problems that bedevil this team seemingly every year. And what do you know, more than not they deal with defense.
There's Convert,"" which could be interpreted in a wide variety of ways. Milwaukee has never been a good team at taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. For example, 73 percent at the free throw line is only charitable to the other team; that was good for 24th in the league last season.
There's ""Contain,"" perhaps a reference to keeping opponents' no-name players in check even if their marquee players play marquee games. Anyone who watches the Bucks knows this simple fact: The team is notorious for giving small names big games, and they lose a majority of those matchups.
Defensively, it would be a new concept for the Bucks to ""Contest."" Go to the bottom of the list to find out where they ranked in blocked shots last year - yes - 30th in the league in that category. As the Bucks see it, one of the subplots of the season is going to be how Yi plays defense and blocks shots.
For this team to go to the playoffs this season, it will have to hold opponents to near 45 percent shooting. Lofty goal for the Bucks, one season removed from a second-worst 48 percent opponents' field goal percentage. The goal, putting the team in the middle of the league defensively, will only be realized if the Bucks buy into a team concept of defense and take the DEFENSIVE CHALLENGE and understand that, to play good defense, you have to keep your man in FRONT of you.
In the past, on a toss-up's chance that the Bucks' opponent didn't convert, the Bucks have not been a gang-rebounding team. Michael Redd, in particular, needs to take a zeroed-in look at the sign reading EVERYBODY rebound, so there's no repeat of last year's 29th ranking.
Of course, all of this falls under the umbrella of EFFORT, ENERGY, EXECUTION, which the Bucks are well-served to remember every time they practice. Another sign reads ""Energy is not an emotion"" - It's a choice for this team, and the Bucks don't have a choice if they want to win. The players have to show that they want the loose ball, that they'll play for 48 minutes and leave nothing on the court.
For the past two seasons, Milwaukee has been letting opponents play their style and reacting. But Terry Stotts, the former head coach, and Krystkowiak are personalities in contrast. It is rightly said that players reflect the personality of their coach. Tough-minded, no-nonsense Krystkowiak should impart a singular philosophy. OUR WILL. OUR WAY. OUR WIN.
Finally, the key to a cohesive locker room is to ""Communicate"" your thoughts. And for the record, I'll communicate mine: the Bucks are a team to watch closely this year.
E-mail Jon at bortin@wisc.edu if you have some more helpful slogans that the Bucks can try.
