Bucks Basketball

'A MESSAGE FROM BUCKS GM LARRY HARRIS:

We've just passed the mid-point of the 2007-08 season. Of course, we were hoping for a better record than we have to date. Fortunately, we still have an excellent opportunity to secure a playoff spot and become a solid, successful team during the second half of the season. I'll explain my logic shortly, but I first want to share a quote from Coach Krystkowiak that sums up well the psyche of our team and organization today.

"I'm not much into sugar-coating or trying to win a consolation prize-we need to win games. We aren't giving in. Our coaches aren't giving in. Our players aren't giving in. We're in a situation where we just got beat by the top 2 teams in the West...we were very much in the ball games. We're going to keep fighting and you'll see our team develop here in the second half of the season." - Larry Krystkowiak, 1/22/08

I agree completely with Larry K, and have the utmost confidence that he, the coaching staff and the players will turn the corner soon and convert some of these excruciating losses into rewarding victories.

When I last wrote, I mentioned that we needed to become better at closing out games. We're still working through that, but we also need to play consistently well for 48 minutes. We've been terrific in a bunch of these games for 3 quarters, only to be plagued by 12 minutes of subpar play. We have to correct this tendency, yet these are positive elements that we look to build on, and once we do, we can begin to count more of these games in the win column.

As I evaluate the last three months of the season, I'm excited about the quantity of home games that remain on the schedule. Your support is always appreciated, and sincerely is crucial, so it is always with added confidence that we take the Bradley Center court. We play 21 home games during February, March and April, compared to just 14 remaining road games. We also have just three remaining Western Conference road games (Memphis, Dallas and Minnesota). It is time for us to make up ground - we acknowledge that; and the schedule now provides that opportunity.

I believe that we have made progress and are getting better. I understand the record doesn't indicate that today, but I believe it will begin reflecting this improvement as we continue our pursuit of an Eastern Conference playoff berth. Thank you again for your support, and enjoy the second half of the season - we want nothing more than to see you pleased and proud of your investment in Bucks Basketball!

Bucks GM - Larry Harris'