April 18
That's a wrap
By Jim Paschke
Even when it is needed and warranted, the end of an NBA season is a tough thing to cope with for a few days. This year, the end of the regular season is actually a positive as it put the Bucks on immediate notice that the 2008-09 season starts now.
It didn’t take long to get started on next season, in fact, most of us had moved ahead mentally several weeks ago. When John Hammond was hired last Saturday, it was official that a new era of Bucks basketball had begun.
John quickly and decisively made his decision on Larry Kystkowiak. I always am saddened when good people don’t succeed. Larry worked very hard, cared very deeply about the Bucks and had a great attitude about life and basketball. He will be fine. Like all of us, he will find a way to turn a perceived “failure” into a positive. I wish him, Jan and their family nothing but the best. They are very good people.
If first impressions have value, John Hammond is golden. He is so ready for this opportunity and so prepared to handle it well. It didn’t take long to realize that he has a well thought out approach to his business. Confidence and preparedness appear to have collided in John Hammond’s life at a very good time for the Bucks. I will enjoy watching him transform this team and this organization.
Real winners are absolute. There is no substitute for doing things the right way, no shortcuts. It is a culture that everyone will have to understand, and find a way to fit into. That is an exciting possibility for everyone from players to announcers.
The next step is hiring a coach. I am certain that we will all be impressed with the man John Hammond selects. The coach will reflect the need, and have the ability, to change the current culture and expectations.
Last Saturday, I asked Hammond if you teach or demand defense and he responded by saying, “both.” Including the demand element in any successful enterprise is crucial. There must be leadership (teaching) and accountability (demands) in order to change the culture and to be successful.
As a fan, I think you have to be impressed with the early winds of change. Spring has brought the end to our season, but the breezes are carrying a different message this year. I believe you will be more than ready to enjoy and participate in those changes come fall.
A couple of notes: I can’t leave without commenting on Ramon Sessions. What a joy to watch a rookie embrace his time in the NBDL, patiently wait through a disappointing injury just after being called up and then burst into the NBA they way Ramon has.
His 20 point 24 assist game against Chicago last Monday was as thrilling to me as Michael Redd’s 57 points against Utah was two seasons ago.
History making performances are the pinnacle of what we do for a living. I’ve always said the beauty of sports is that there is always a chance you may see something you’ve never seen before or something that has never happened before. So thanks to Ramon Sessions for another indelible memory.
CENTRAL DIVISION STANDINGS:
(FINAL -- 2007-8)
CENTRAL DIV. W L PCT GB HOME ROAD CONF STREAK
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Detroit 59 23 .720 --- 34-7 25-16 37-15 W 4
Cleveland 45 37 .549 14 27-14 18-23 28-24 L 1
Indiana 36 46 .439 23 21-20 15-26 24-28 W 1
Chicago 33 49 .402 26 20-21 13-28 24-28 W 2
Milwaukee 26 56 .317 33 19-22 7-34 18-34 L 8
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revised April 19, 2008.
