Ford Vows To Play Again

Milwaukee guard T.J. Ford remains confident that he will soon be back in the NBA after being sidelined since Feburary after a serious injury.

"I will play in the NBA again," Ford said. "There's no doubt in my mind. That's not even a question."

Ford, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, has not been able to do anything since his spinal injury caused by a fall against the Minnesota Timberwolves. A starter for 55 games prior to his injury, the Bucks have no timetable for his return.

"That's great," coach Terry Porter said when asked about Ford's vow to return. "The doctors, I think, have said that he's coming back but they don't know a timetable. That's the big thing. Each process, he has to get permission to do more and more things. He's only pushing as far as the doctors have told him he can push."

"We're moving. But we just may be moving slower than I think everyone wants us to."

Via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

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Zendon Hamilton Undergoes Arthroscopic Surgery

The Bucks suffered a setback Friday when one of their candidates at the center position, 6-foot-11 Zendon Hamilton, underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage in his right knee.

Hamilton, who suffered the injury Tuesday night in the Bucks' exhibition game at Dallas, is expected to be out for six weeks.

That leaves the Bucks' center spot in the hands of 20-year-old Zaza Pachulia, third-year pro Dan Gadzuric and 7-foot-1 Daniel Santiago. Gadzuric started 30 games in his rookie season, and Santiago started 28 games last season.

"I wouldn't use the word 'devastating,'" Harris said of the news regarding Hamilton, who underwent surgery performed by team doctor John Heinrich at the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin.

"We still have three guys, and it means a better opportunity for Gadzuric, Santiago or Pachulia. But it's disappointing for Zendon, because he was playing so well. I really felt he had put a stamp on this team, that he was going to be a contributor."

Hamilton, who played in 45 games with the Philadelphia 76ers last season, was signed by the Bucks as a free agent Aug. 5. He pulled down 10 rebounds last week in an exhibition game at Denver, then picked up seven points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes as the Bucks beat Dallas, 107-105, on Tuesday.

Via Milwaukee JS

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Mike James Bringing Pit Bull Mentality to Milwaukee

Last year Mike James played for the Detroit Pistons, one of the best defensive teams over the last couple of years. Coach Terry Porter is hoping James' pit bull mentality inspires his fellow Milwaukee Bucks.

"That's how I've always played defense, aggressive," James said. "And I'm going to continue to be aggressive on the defensive end."

"One day in Detroit they just started calling Lindsey Hunter and I the pit bulls and the name just stuck with us," James said. "The players started calling us pit bulls because the way we used to defend.

"Every time we used to go in the game, Rasheed Wallace used to act like he was taking the dog chain off us. As if to say, 'It's time for you to sic 'em all now.' So it stuck with us. And then the crowd got with it and they started making pit bull signs."

The Bucks made positive strides defensively last season, their first under Porter, but more of the same is necessary this season, also.

During the 2002-'03 season, the Bucks were one of the worst defensive teams in the league, giving up 99.3 points per game (25th in the league) and allowing opponents to shoot 45.8% (27th).

Last season, the Bucks were still far from a great defensive team, yet did show improvement as they yielded 97.0 points per game (21st) and a 45.2% defensive field-goal percentage (23rd).

Via Milwaukee JS

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