Bucks at Bobcats
THE STORY:
Volatile Stephen Jackson is slated to make his Milwaukee debut against
his former squad when the Bucks visit the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday in
the opener for both teams. Jackson wears on employers with his
outspoken nature and his periodic in-game anger issues, but Milwaukee
values the veteran shooting guard for his scoring prowess and hopes
he’ll return to the form that saw him average more than 20 points in
three of the previous four seasons before dipping to 18.5 last season.
Jackson has experienced back pain during training camp but expressed he
will play against the Bobcats. His task is helping the Bucks improve an
offense that averaged an NBA-worst 91.9 points. Corey Maggette went from
Milwaukee to Charlotte in the same trade as Jackson and the Bobcats
will give him a chance to recapture his scoring ability after his
average dipped to 12.0 last year, his lowest since 2002-03. Charlotte is
in rebuilding mode.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), SportSouth (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE BUCKS (0-0):
Milwaukee is coming off a highly disappointing 35-47 season in which
core players Andrew Bogut, Carlos Delfino, Drew Gooden and Brandon
Jennings all missed significant time because of injuries. The health
woes affected team chemistry and the offense suffered. Jackson wasn’t
the only addition that boosts the club’s firepower as forward Mike
Dunleavy (Indiana) and guard Beno Udrih (Sacramento) were also added to
the mix. Bogut has averaged more than 10 rebounds per game for the last
three seasons.
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (0-0): Owner Michael
Jordan has overseen the dismantling of a team that reached the playoffs
two seasons ago, but slipped to 34-48 last season. Jordan didn’t feel
Charlotte was on a championship path so the franchise is basically
staring over. First-round draft pick Kemba Walker is viewed as one of
the building blocks after a fantastic college career at Connecticut.
Walker is backing up D.J. Augustin at the point but will be counted on
to score points off the bench.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Milwaukee is opening its season on the road for the 27th consecutive campaign. The Bucks have gone 14-12 in those openers.
2. Jennings had the first triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) of his career against the Bobcats last season.
3.
Charlotte swingman Reggie Williams will miss approximately six weeks
after tearing meniscus cartilage in his left knee in training camp.