About Bucking Time.

[RMJH4]

Milwaukee Bucks sale draws closer

The sale of the Milwaukee Bucks seems to be drawing to a close. Or at least it seemed so. Rumors have been emerging that the Milwaukee Bucks were reportedly almost sold to Chicago based millionaire Michael Heisley. Herb Kohl and Heisley were close to a deal before Heisley suffered a stroke in February of last year. Heisley is recovering after being in a coma for several months. But it seems the former Memphis Grizzlies owner ailing health has changed his tune on getting back into the NBA. This is understandable as it could leave the Bucks in a difficult position should Heisleys health further deteriorate.

However with Kohl's dismay at this deal falling through, he needs a knight in shining armor to come along. Or maybe in Under Armor. Yes Under Armor CEO and owner Kevin Plank is interested in buying the Bucks. Plank sees it as a way to fully break into the NBA merchandising game and further increase sales and worldwide recognition. However Plank is considered a longshot due to his lack of knowledge in the major sporting field.

But maybe someone else from that area of the country with a lot more sporting expertise may be ready to swoop in and seal a deal. Quite literally swooping in, Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti is looking to expand his list of assets. Bisciotti is a succesful NFL owner and is looking to buy a team near his hometown of Baltimore. Since the Wizards aren't up for sale, and Michael Jordan isn't budging, Bisciotti sees this as a happy medium for now. The Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2000 and 2012 after Bisciotti bought the team. Quite the track record. Bisciotti knows how to run a major sporting franchise. Biscotti was even pictured at a recent Bucks game last week. Its presumed it was in advance of a private meeting with Herb Kohl about the purchase of the franchise.

Steve Biscotti pictured at the Bucks - Pistons game last week.

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Bucks get Nash and Butler in 3 Team Trade

The Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers have agreed on a 3 team trade. The Bucks are sending Luke Ridnour, Nate Wolters, Khris Middleton and Miroslav Radulijuca out and receiving Steve Nash and Caron Butler. The Suns are sending Caron Butler in exchange for Wolters, Middleton, Radulijuca and cap space. The Lakers look to be going into full on tank mode now by sending Steve Nash in exchange for Luke Ridnour. This trade means the Lakers and Suns now are hotly contesting the battle at the bottom of the West.

The Bucks have gained two experienced players who will strengthen the starting 5 and bench. The Bucks now look to have one of the deepest squads in the East. Right behind the Heat, Pacers and Nets. Nash will compete with Brandon Knight for the starting spot. Butler and Derrick Williams will contest the small forward spot. This could mean a starting 5 of Nash, Mayo, Williams, Henson and Sanders. The bench looks extremely strong with Knight, Delfino, Butler, Ilyasova and Pachulia, but it puts Giannis Antetokounmpo right at the bottom of the pecking order. The Bucks have played inside out this season, and this trade looks to further strengthen that notion. They've not only added experience, but plenty of floor spacing and 3 point shooting.

Its hard to know how Steve Nash feels about playing in Milwaukee, but I have to imagine he ok'ed this deal with Mitch Kupchak. Lets see how Kobe reacts to this move. The Lakers clearing capspace and downgrading at the point. Look for the Lakers to quietly go into wind down mode. The Suns too want to shed salary and decrease win numbers with this move. Butler had been playing well and helping them win some games. Exit stage left Caron, not in the plan this season.

One side note remarked on by some fellow writers here, this move comes hot on the heels of the Steve Ballmer visit to the Bucks owner Herb Kohl. I wonder has he influenced this decision in anyway. If the Bucks decline all their team options this summer, they have close to 30m of capspace to sign free agents. Some of the 2014 free agents could include, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade.

The first big move before the trade deadline in less than a month. Look for the Kobe trade rumors to heat up very very soon...

[RMJH4]

Game 39 Milwaukee Bucks 89 - 81 Portland Trailblazers



Nash was throwing no look passes all night with ease.

Bucks Starters
S. Nash
O. Mayo
C. Delfino
D. Williams
L. Sanders


Trailblazers Starters
D. Lillard
W. Matthews
N. Batum
L. Aldridge
R. Lopez


Game Leaders
Pts - 24 - D. Williams (Bucks)
Rebs - 14 - D. Williams (Bucks)
Asts - 15 - S. Nash (Bucks)
Stls - 3 - O. Mayo (Bucks)
Blks - 3 - L. Sanders (Bucks)

Player of the Game
D. Williams
24pts , 14 rebs, 1 asts, 1 stl, 2blks

[RMJH4]

Game 40 Philadelphia 76ers 88 - 90 Milwaukee Bucks



Sanders connects with another Nash alley-oop

76ers Starters
M. Carter-Williams
J. Richardson
E. Turner
T. Young
S. Hawes

Bucks Starters
S. Nash
O. Mayo
C. Delfino
D. Williams
L. Sanders


Game Leaders
Pts - 18 - C. Butler(Bucks)
Rebs - 13 - L. Allen (76ers)
Asts - 12 - S. Nash (Bucks)
Stls - 3 - S. Nash (Bucks)
Blks - 2 -L. Sanders (Bucks)

Player of the Game
S. Nash
13pts, 3 rebs, 12 asts, 3 stls

[RMJH4]

Game 41 Milwaukee Bucks 101 - 100 Cleveland Cavaliers



Nash has been rejuvenated in Milwaukee, scoring 21pts tonight.

Bucks Starters
S. Nash
O. Mayo
C. Butler
D. Williams
L. Sanders


Cavaliers Starters
K. Irving
D. Waiters
A. Gee
A. Bennett
A. Varejao


Game Leaders
Pts - 25 - O. Mayo (Bucks)
Rebs - 9 - J. Henson (Bucks)
Asts - 12 - S. Nash (Bucks)
Stls - 3 - A. Gee (Cavs)
Blks - 2 - A. Bennett (Cavs)

Player of the Game
S. Nash
21pts , 2 rebs, 12 asts, 1 stl

[RMJH4]

Game 42 Golden State Warriors 86 - 94 Milwaukee Bucks



Henson was back to himself tonight after a long injury layoff

Warriors Starters
N. Nedovic
K. Thompson
A. Igoudala
D. Lee
A. Bogut

Bucks Starters
S. Nash
O. Mayo
D. Williams
J. Henson
L. Sanders


Game Leaders
Pts - 22 -J. Henson(Bucks)
Rebs - 12 - L. Sanders (Bucks)
Asts - 8 - S. Nash (Bucks)
Stls - 3 - H. Barnes (Warriors)
Blks - 3 - J. Henson (Bucks)

Player of the Game
J. Henson
22pts, 9 rebs, 1 ast, 1 stl, 3blks

[RMJH4]

Game 43 Milwaukee Bucks 98 - 88 Detroit Pistons



Mayo slicing through the Pistons defense

Bucks Starters
S. Nash
O. Mayo
D. Williams
J. Henson
L. Sanders


Pistons Starters
B. Jennings
C. Billups
J. Smith
G. Monroe
A. Drummond


Game Leaders
Pts - 23 - O. Mayo (Bucks)
Rebs - 10 - D. Williams (Bucks)
Asts - 11 - S. Nash (Bucks)
Stls - 3 - C. Butler (Bucks)
Blks - 3 - A. Drummond (Pistons)

Player of the Game
S. Nash
20pts , 5 rebs, 11 asts, 1 stl

[RMJH4]

Game 44 Chicago Bulls 86 - 92 Milwaukee Bucks



The Bucks defense has been the platform for a strong showing this year

Bulls Starters
K. Hinrich
J. Butler
L. Deng
T. Gibson
J. Noah

Bucks Starters
S. Nash
O. Mayo
D. Williams
J. Henson
L. Sanders


Game Leaders
Pts - 29 -O. Mayo (Bucks)
Rebs - 10 - C. Boozer (Bulls)
Asts - 10 - S. Nash (Bucks)
Stls - 3 - J. Henson, S. Nash (Bucks)
Blks - 3 - J. Henson, L. Sanders (Bucks)

Player of the Game
O. Mayo
29pts, 6 rebs, 4 ast, 2 stl