Scribbler After Dark

I’ve been gone from here for a really long time, but what better way to get back into it than to celebrate a 109-105 win for the Bucks at Staples Center against the Lakers. Michael Redd goes for 45 – including the first 15 points of an 18-4 Bucks run in the second half that helped them on their way.

First, we go to The Los Angeles Times and reaction from Lakers beat writer Mike Bresnahan, who, in his story about the game, comes up with this little gem:

The Lakers wouldn’t lose, couldn’t lose to the hapless Milwaukee Bucks, but they did.

Mike Bresnahan, you’re a jag-bag. The Bucks were playing without two of their normal starting five – Bobby Simmons and Charlie Villanueva – and gave a chance to rookie gunslinger Ersan Ilyasova, but The Lake Show couldn’t quite overcome that “hapless” squad could they. Bresnahan, shut up.

Now, we’re on to the Los Angeles Daily News, for a game recap by Ross Siler, staff writer. Ross unearthed this gem from Lakers star Lamar Odom, who very nearly had a triple-double but was a little peeved about a fourth-quarter technical he received that Michael Redd turned into a four-point play. Said Lamar:

“That was a little frustrating,” Odom said. “I’ve got one guy on my back, I’m fighting for the ball. I got the rebound kind of clear. I guess the whistle went his way all night. He won tonight.”

That’s right, Lamar. If there’s one thing that the Milwaukee Bucks are known for throughout the NBA, it’s that in a close game, the refs are always going to favor a Bucks player. I mean, I can’t even count how many times through the years a Steve Javie or Jack Nies whistle has saved the Bucks in a tight spot. There was that time when … well, I remember in February of ‘97 at home against the Nets one night Ray Allen, uh … no, wait, I think in April ‘01 on the road against Toronto there was … hmm … I can’t count how many times Lamar because it NEVER FRIGGIN’ HAPPENS!

Please, Redd goes for 45 on your ass and the refs handed it to him. A 4-9 team from one of the NBA’s smallest markets was saved by the refs. Sure, pal. And I thought this year you were off the drugs.

Anyway, it’s been a tough patch here for the Bucks, starting slow and seeing good players go down injured. Still, Redd is playing right now like the best guard in the East – well, maybe neck and neck with Dwayne Wade – so there’s hope. They gotta hang in there on this West Coast trip. Phoenix on Friday will be tough, but maybe they can steal one more and split the four-gamer, come back home and rattle off a couple wins. It’s too soon to consider this outfit “hapless,” because we don’t want to end up like Mike Bresnahan.

Oh, and with 6 seconds left and the Lakers down three, Kobe isolates Ruben Patterson, who pushes out No. 8, er, No. 24 several feet beyond the 3-point line. Kobe clangs the shot, Patterson gets the ball and ices the game with a free throw under 3 seconds left.

Bitch.