Milwaukee Bucks Tickets

Skiles’ team sorely missed their second-year star throughout the majority of December, when Jennings fractured a bone in his left foot. The former NBA All-Rookie Team selection returned in late January, giving the Bucks a boost heading into the thick of the playoff hunt. Shooting guard John Salmons has also shown himself to be a central part of Milwaukee’s offensive game, honing his mid-range jumper at the Bradley Center this season. Now that the Bucks have their top two scorers back in the fold, opposing defenses will have their hands full when they face Milwaukee.   Milwaukee’s improved play has to be credited to the man in charge, Scott Skiles. During his 11-year NBA playing career, Skiles was known for his tenacious spirit and legendary toughness. The fiery pro made an easy transition from player to coach, first serving as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns. Skiles was eventually elevated to Suns head coach and led Phoenix to the playoffs in two out of his three seasons in the job. The LaPorte, Indiana-born coach then took over the struggling Chicago Bulls, turning the franchise around quickly. After three consecutive playoff appearances, Skiles was surprisingly let go by the Bulls in 2007. Milwaukee seized the opportunity to land a first-class NBA coach the next season, signing Skiles to a four-year deal. The old-school styled coach rewarded the Bucks’ franchise last spring by shepherding the team to their best record in a decade and a return to the playoffs for the first time in four years.  Despite experiencing numerous injury setbacks in 2011, Milwaukee is only four games behind the Indiana Pacers in the race for the playoffs. The Bucks’ lock down defense ranks third currently in the NBA in points allowed per game. Center Andrew Bogut has been the league’s best shot blocker, averaging an astounding 2.82 blocks every time he steps out on the court. If the 7’0”, 260 lbs Australian can stay healthy down the final stretch, Milwaukee should be able to make a good run at the playoffs. NBA buffs will look for a reprise of the incredible first round series the Bucks played last season with Atlanta, pushing the Hawks to seven games. Regardless whether the team can sneak into the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs this year, fans in Milwaukee buying 2011-2012 Bucks tickets should feel good about the direction the organization is headed in.   less