The Milwaukee Bucks no doubt see a lot of the Bulls being that they share the same division. But unlike the Bulls, Milwaukee can’t seem to get things going and missed the playoffs last year. However the Bucks are rising fast with talents like Brandon Jennings and rookie power forward Bismack Biyombo. I sat down with K.L. Chouinard, the editor of We’re Bucked a Milwaukee Bucks blog. If you haven’t yet, be sure to check them out to get the best info for scouting out the enemy.

PAE: Of all the teams in the Central last season, the Bucks actually kept Derrick Rose in check for the most part. He went 20-plus just twice on Milwaukee but the Bucks still managed to lose. So with Rose aside, why did they have such a tough time against the Bulls last season?

K.L: The Bucks defend well; in particular, Andrew Bogut ranks behind only Dwight Howard as an interior help defender.

Last season, Bogut did not miss any of the four games against the Bulls due to injuries and as a result, the Bucks kept Derrick Rose from scoring at the rim.  By my count (using ESPN shot charts), Rose — who finished 4th among guards in baskets per game at the rim (3.8) — only made 10 of 25 attempts in the paint in the games against Milwaukee.

Despite slowing Rose, the Bucks lost because they just could not score.  Of course, that problem was magnified against an elite defensive team like the Bulls.  Milwaukee scored 77, 83, 75, and 87 points in the four games — which barely gets you a win over the Saints, let alone the Bulls.

PAE: Let’s talk about the Bucks and Bulls. Last season Chicago swept Milwaukee but who didn’t they sweep? Should they actually meet this year, how do you see them matching up? Will the Bucks steal one, earn one or are they still a year away from competing with Chicago?

K.L: The Bucks’ success hinges largely on what Brandon Jennings can do for them.  In 2010-11, Milwaukee’s best chance of pulling out a a win over the Bulls came in the March matchup.  Jennings played well through three quarters, and the Bucks led 74-69 heading into the final 12 minutes. But Skiles played Brandon for 46 out of the games’ 48 minutes, including the entire second half (on the second game of a back-to-back, no less)

What happened?  Milwaukee resorted to jump shots in the fourth quarter — shots that fell flat under tired legs.  While the Bucks (more…)