Bleacher Report - Articles by David Johnson

Milwuakee Bucks: Playoff Contender? Absolutely!

David Johnson — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 08:49:20 -0500

I've written about the Milwaukee Bucks chemistry already, but never saw Michael Redd getting injured as a positive for the entire team.

Simply stated: Michael Redd is underrated!

This is obvious, even if you don't like the Bucks, or, for whatever reason, Michael Redd himself. He has carried the team for the past years despite the team being an overall disappointment to a lot of fans.

The big question this offseason was, can all the new faces get it done, and I'll say it again: Yes!

Try to choose who's the bigger face: Richard Jefferson, Luke Ridinour, Scott Skiles, or Hammound. The answer is all of them. They each play equal roles in the Milwaukee Bucks' success this year, and they will get it done.

Michael Redd getting injured means that some other player on the court has to be the primary scorer. This has to be a miracle, or you tell me a better scenario of opportunity for Richard Jefferson to not only shine, but to find his role in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform.

Not that Jefferson hasn't played well thus far, because he has, but a lot of purely NBA fans want to see him return to his slashing, scoring, electrifying form.

With Michael Redd allowing his ankle to heal, Richard Jefferson wasted no time in taking over, scoring 52 points with 11 assists over two games versus healthy playoff teams in the Wizards and champion Celtics.

I could be wrong and biased, but I'd say Richard Jefferson has definitely found his swagger. Now combine that with Michael Redd's humble ability to score 25-30 a night, and you're looking at a contender.

If Jefferson continues to develop his confidence and Michael Redd comes back healthy and scoring, with Milwaukee's version of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, they are still missing one factor: a big time post player.

Any sane person would say, "Well what about the former number one overall draft pick, Andrew Bogut?", but Bogut is not playing up to his potential. I've almost been forced to believe in Bogut as he signed a Dwight Howard-like contract this off-season, but he has to play stronger.

He is a big man and has the ability to dominate down low, he just gets too lazy too often, and he just can't keep playing soft. When a Redd or Jefferson jumper comes off Bogut needs to go up with intensity to get that rebound and kick it out with a fresh 24.

He'll come around, but no one knows when.

On top of that Ridinour is playing exactly like Scott Skiles wants him to.

He's only holding the ball seven or eight seconds down the court, much different than Mo Williams, who holds possession for 15 seconds, or more, in transition. It proves a huge difference and the Buck's chemistry is the main benefactor.

Charlie Villanueva has surprised me a lot. I predicted that Dan Gadzuric would get the start in Skiles' new defensive mindset, but Charlie has been getting the job done, or enough to remain in the starting lineup.

Gadzuric is getting a lot of playing time, as he should, but—I'll admit—Charlie's not playing bad.

What a genius move to find Ramon Sessions some playing time off the bench. At the two guard, he's too quick for most number twos. Sure, he's not as good as Michael Redd, especially on the defensive side, but he provided some spark, especially in the victory over Washington.

All in all, the Bucks look fantastic this season despite only being .500 right now. They are giving playoff teams a run for their money, and should continue to develop chemistry as the season progresses.

LeBron James, Ready to Take Over

David Johnson — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:35:18 -0400

LeBron James is finally ready to take over the NBA.

Finally, just weeks away from his 24th birthday, LeBron James has the knowledge, experience, and awareness to take his team to the NBA finals and WIN.

I have argued that LeBron James has been the best player in basketball for over a year now, but I can now say confidently that he is the best in the world. LeBron's emotional impact is getting close to that of Kevin Garnett's on any team.

LeBron has looked like a man-child for about ten years now, but right now he looks like a man's man. Did he beat the defending national champions on opening night? No—in fact with the game on the line, he missed pivotal free throws that could have pushed the game into overtime.

So what am I getting at? What is new with the phenom that sets him apart right now? First of all, his gold medal.

LeBron James was the leader of the Olympic team, like it or not. He played the soundest basketball out of anyone on the team. Sure, D-Wade had some pretty fanatic dunks and crossovers, Kobe had his quickness, Deron Williams got his assists, and Dwight Howard his throw downs—but it was LeBron's impact that won the gold medal.

He wasn't concerned about showing off dominating dunks, or spectacular athleticism, or take over ability. He was concerned with winning, no matter what that took.

What I watched in LeBron James this summer was a transformation of not trying to win every game all by himself, but rather playing the game of basketball like it is supposed to be played. This has to carry over to the Cleveland Cavaliers winning an NBA championship.

Specifically, he has learned how to stay calm in all situations. Sure, LeBron has seemed to remain calm all of his career—and don't get me wrong, it is an asset when your leader does not get rattled easily—but it was all show. I can guarantee you LeBron knows what the world expects from him, and he thinks about it more times than he reveals.

He has now learned what the NBA is about, and how to handle almost every situation the way Michael Jordan would.

While his mind has finally caught up with his ability, believe it or not, LeBron's body has gotten bigger. Whether he has been lifting this offseason a ton or not, only LeBron and his trainer know that, but its almost as if he's gone through another growth spurt somehow.

We all watched Kobe go from a scrawny high-school kid, to an athletic playmaker, to the athlete he is right now—and LeBron is reaching that final leg in his career right now.

He is not concerned anymore with making spectacular plays, or scoring 55 points, or taking over games just to prove to the world that he can. He is concerned with winning and now understands how to do it.

Combine that with offseason acquisition Mo Williams. Williams' ability to shoot the ball consistently, as well as run the offense, will allow LeBron to focus solely on rebounding, scoring, and playing defense.

Mike Brown had the Cavs in a zone defense during their first game at Boston, which I would consider a huge mistake. Sure, the Cavs have a lot of guards, but they need to be able to man up and play defense—instead of playing lazy D and watching the LeBron show on the other end.

LeBron is a great defender, believe it or not, which is definitely the most underrated part about him. Sure, Paul Pierce scored a few times on him, but that's because LeBron is so concerned with playing team basketball that he isn't worried about Paul Pierce.

LeBron's anticipation and awareness are at an all-time high right now, like a great defensive back in the NFL waiting for the QB to throw the ball to his receiver.

Mike Brown, let LeBron James play defense on JUST Paul Pierce, Kobe Bryant, Luol Deng, or Joe Johnson. Watch him shut them down, while your small guards rotate over when needed. See LeBron take control on the defensive end, and set the tone for the game and season.

Another reason why Mike Brown needs to let LeBron shut down the opposing teams' main scorer is because Z and Ben Wallace aren't quick enough to rotate down low any more. They need to man up and lock down who they're covering.

Sure, maybe they need to double over on guys like Emeka or Garnett—but, again, that just means rotation on the outside by the quick smaller guards. This sounds like a zone, but it will allow LeBron James to play great defense, get a lot more steals, and lead the team to a championship.

Believe it or not, but LeBron James is absolutely ready this year to take his team past the "revamped" East, to the Finals, and pick apart the best in the West.

With his body growing, awareness expanding, and anticipation leading, he is the deadliest player in the game—and he will play the game of basketball as it was created to be played.

Don't Write Off the Milwaukee Bucks Yet

David Johnson — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:16:50 -0400

A lot of sports writers and analysts are expecting the Milwaukee Bucks to have another lackluster season, but I'm going to defend my home team.

Let me start with this guy named Michael Redd—maybe you've heard of him, maybe not.

Michael Redd is the most underrated player in the NBA. He was a second-round draft pick known for his defensive footwork, but, playing behind Ray Allen, developed a slingshot stroke that would place him in the top 5-10 scorers in the NBA in the past five years.

Despite his statistics, the most underrated part of Michael Redd is his leadership ability. Have the Bucks got out of the first round of the playoffs in the past five or six years? No, but the Milwaukee Bucks have relied on Redd like the Lakers rely on Kobe Bryant or Cavs do on LeBron.

I'm not saying that Redd is as good as LeBron or Kobe—but he does not get nearly enough credit for all that the Bucks have gone through, and he's still there.

Finally, the Bucks' management got one right in trading an overrated Yi Jianlian and overpaid Bobby Simmons for high-scoring, high-flying Richard Jefferson. Just picturing Redd and Jefferson in the same jersey is mind-boggling.

I am not claiming that it will result in the same manner, but for Milwaukee fans this is like having Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Now throw a young, powerful, number-one overall center and a pass-first point guard in the mix, and we're talking about a contender instead of a pretender.

A name I want to mention that a lot of NBA fans might be writing off is Dan Gadzuric. Gadzuric is a high-energy player who has the ability to be strong in the paint. Sure, he did turn 30 this year—but so did Kobe.

Not to discredit Charlie Villanueva, because I do think that Charlie brings talent to the table, but Gadzuric is a more well-rounded basketball player. He has experience, a dominant presence, and Milwaukee fans have never seen him play alongside Andrew Bogut.

I think new coach Scott Skiles will start Gadzuric and Bogut together, and have Villanueva come off the bench to play more of a scoring role.

Another guy who will have the chance to come off the bench and prove himself at the two and three positions is a player I first heard of from Bob Knight analyzing the NCAA tournament—rookie Joe Alexander. I don't think Alexander will play as big of role as some Milwaukee supporters think, but if the Bucks start winning a lot, Alexander will see more and more playing time behind Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson down the road.

Maurice Williams leaving actually does a lot more for the team chemistry than meets the human eye. Mo had the ball in his hands a lot, and rightfully put up good numbers, but he subtracted from the team dynamic. A true point guard should have more assists than shot attempts—which is something Luke Ridnour and Tyrone Lue bring to Milwaukee.

Maurice Williams played a lot like Sam Cassell did in his prime, when the Bucks had a championship-caliber team with Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson, and Ervin Johnson. Cassell took away from ball movement and chemistry by having the ball 15 to 17 seconds every time down the court.

With ball movement and a dominant rotation down low, Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson bringing in the crowds, and Scott Skiles' hustling, defensive approach to the game, the Bucks have a great shot at not only the last spot in the East, but maybe an upset to go to the second round of the playoffs.

I will predict a 43-39 record and a playoff appearance, with Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut going to the All-Star weekend in February 2009.

Brett Favre Gives the New York Jets a Real Shot

David Johnson — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:24:15 -0400

So call it crazy, but I'm not the only one who thinks the Jets have a shot. And I only need to give you one reason—Brett Favre.

For all of you who haven't figured it out, this guy is the best quarterback in the league right now.

Many people would argue for Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or even his brother Eli, but this guy is a fighter. Not to mention that he's broken every passing record on the face of the planet, including interceptions.

But tell me one player in the past 16 years, in Green Bay, that has gone anywhere else and done something?

Brett Favre creates not only plays, but players.

Does he get up a little slower? Sure. Does he fire with as much velocity as he did ten years ago? Probably not. But he knows how to win and he holds that record too.

Need I point out the talent in New England that football genius Billy puts on the field? Or the incredible coaching in Indianapolis with Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, and former defensive player of the year, Bob Sanders?

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't think that Peyton or Brady aren't good quarterbacks. Both are going to the Hall of Fame. But being a great Quarterback in the National Football League is not just about stats and passer ratings.

Brett Favre has endured countless off-the-field incidents that are common in millions of families across the world. He has stayed when others have retired, been able to learn new systems and get used to new coaches in Mike Sherman, Mike Holmgren, and Mike McCarthy. He's also had to deal with all of the "big time players" leaving for whatever reason. But has he ever complained? Ever?

Okay, he mentioned two sentences about Thompson not going for Randy Moss in Green Bay while at a golf tournament a few years ago. But don't get me started on how Thompson and McCarthy treated the man who literally revived the franchise when he decided he wanted to play again. A decision which I believe was inevitable.

So what do they do? Trade him to New York.

Not to sound like all of the other articles out there, but a superstar with a chip on his shoulder is not good news for anybody. Except, of course, for the team he plays for.

I know that my man is still a little ticked at Green Bay's management for how they treated him. And rightfully so! He'll even leave his resume at the door. Favre is the most talented player to ever play the game and he's going to prove it in New York.

Tell me the last time the New York Jets had a shot at going to the Super Bowl. Mangini's first year?

Brett Favre might not be as athletic as he once was, have the arm strength he once did, but the tricks up his sleeve that he's been using for years will never fail. The list of those goes out the door and all the way back to Green Bay. And he can use them with any team, against any team.

Without Tom Brady, the Patriots are no longer Super Bowl favorites. There is a great team around Brady that can probably win 10 or 11 games, but they won't have the QB that can get them to the Big Game.

Not that the San Diego Chargers are finished, but Shawne Merriman is a bigger missing piece than a lot want to think. LaDainian Tomlinson is the leader of that team, but even he can't do it all.

The Pittsburgh Steelers looked sharp, but I can't see that whole team staying healthy this season.

And the last team on Super Bowl alert would be the Indianapolis Colts. They looked like they had never played professional football against the Chicago Bears. Matt Forte out of Tulane? Peyton Manning can't find the end zone?

Now you might be saying, "Well he's basing all of this on one week of games!"

It is true, but there are only 16 games in an NFL season people! There were a lot of injuries to star players in Week One and one 60-minute game of football can tell you a lot about your team.

Given what the previous favorites had shown in Week One, I'm saying that No. 4 has a legitmate shot at taking home the Lombardi with a bunch of mediocre players like he always has.

And this time with a chip on his shoulder that says, "I think I have this big trophy thing that Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson might want!"

I hope Favre is done being humble and comes out and says it:

"I'm the greatest player alive and I can do it with anyone NFL."