Milwaukee Bucks Links: Frontcourt Diversity and Extension Talks

Every morning, Behind the Buck Pass brings you the reading material you need before you start your day at the office. We bring you the morning’s Daily Dimes — Milwaukee Bucks Links from across the web to get you ready for the day.

Good morning and welcome back to the work week! The one thing that keeps paying the bills, but doesn’t fuel our love for basketball. Hey, what can you do?

I got an idea.

Instead of browsing the internet, you can keep it right here for the best in Milwaukee Bucks links for your Monday.

Genius.

Extension Talks

The end of October is a key time for NBA teams as they lock to lock up restricted free agents from the class of 2011. ESPN.com’s Marc Stein takes a closer look at the bevy of names that could lock up extensions with their current team.

Included in that list is Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Knight.

Other names on the list include guards Jimmy Butler, Reggie Jackson, Klay Thompson, Ricky Rubio and Kemba Walker.

It’s too bad the the Bucks couldn’t find a match with one of these teams to do some type of sign and trade. Brandon Knight might not be at the level of these players, but he is awfully valuable to certain systems.

Especially if teams think that they can afford Knight compared to their respected restricted free agents future contract.

The Bucks though are in a long-term rebuilding project and would more than likely demand a player be under contract and not face any type of free agency next season.

Milwaukee’s Versatile Frontcourt

The Journal Sentinal’s Charles Gardner touched on the diverse frontcourt this weekend and how many different ways players can be used in different situations.

"“We’ve got a nice group of bigs that do many different things,” Kidd said. “When you look at John and Zaza, both are willing passers. Look at Z. He’s probably not a shot blocker but one that will take charges.“He does all the little things for you. Look at Larry. He can rebound on both ends. He can knock down a little midrange jump shot. He can run the floor.“It’s nice because you can pair them in a lot of different combinations.”"

When you throw Jabari Parker in the mix, things really start to get interesting. The Bucks have the post players to play one of the biggest lineups in the league.

How it translates on the court though is another story.

Kidd will also have the ability to go athletic in the post with the likes of Parker, Henson and Sanders.

Buy or Sell the Greek Freak at the Point?

Steve von Horn at Brew Hoop wants to know if you’re buying or selling Giannis Antetokounmpo at point guard.  He joined by fellow staffer Frank Madden as they discuss the hot topic on the Brew Hoop podcast.

Make sure you check out the show because both have a great opinion on the subject.

Maybe it’s because I buy into fully what they are saying. Giannis Antetokounmpo is not a long-term option at point guard, but man he is going to be a special player in this league.

Once this team finds his role and then puts the pieces around him to flourish in it, he is going to go from exciting to a potential superstar.

Knick Bits

The Bucks take on the Knicks tonight at Madison Square Garden in the big apple. We will get to know the opposition a little bit later today and we’ll also preview the game as always. Here though are a bit of Knicks tidbits to digest.

We’ll begin with their starting lineup, where every spot seems to be defined besides power forward. Quincy Acy seems to be the favorite to start, considering Andrea Bargnani and Amar’e Stoudemire aren’t jumping in to claim the starting nod. For Bargnani, it’s because injury is holding him back.

"“He hasn’t been able to practice the last few days so it wouldn’t be smart to jeopardize him by putting him into game action tomorrow,” Derek Fisher said of Bargnani after the Knicks practiced for the fourth straight day Sunday in Greenburgh. “We’ve mixed the groups up a lot and we have some different guys in the frontcourt at times, different guys in the backcourt, so we’ll kind of reassess who has been effective this week and try to put a good lineup together.”"

Jason Smith has also been mentioned in talks to start at the power forward position when the season starts.

That being said, Fisher also told the media on Sunday that there will not be a minutes restriction on Stoudemire.

"“Right now there aren’t any minute restrictions, or he can only play the front of a back to back, or any of that,” coach Derek Fisher said after practice on Sunday.“If we can find ways to be consistent in [scheduling the rest days] then we don’t have to judge in the game whether or not it’s too many minutes or whether he can start or [not based on minutes restrictions],” Fisher said. “So we’re excited that we can go into the season with an open mind in that regard and it’s worked well so far. The days we’ve had as recovery days for him, he’s looked great coming back the next day and we think it’s something that will work once the season starts.”"

The Knicks might be running the triangle offense, but Carmelo Anthony will still remain the focal point of New York’s scoring. Even though the star forward doesn’t believe he has any scoring titles in his future.

"“I don’t think, especially in this system now, I don’t think I’ll be scoring champion,” Anthony said. “Especially with this system and the way we’re playing. The way that it’s going to be, well balanced, the style of play we’re going to have, I don’t think I’ll have to lead the league in scoring this year.“I think shots will be fewer. I think it will be more effective shots. If that means taking fewer shots then that’s what will happen. But I don’t really know. We’ve been playing the preseason. It’s still early. It’s not until you really get into the flow of the game (that) you start knowing the minutes you’re going to play. (You don’t know) until you know who you’re going to be out there with most of the time, until you find that rhythm.”"

It’s important to note that each star that ran Phil Jackson’s offense under his guidance won at least one scoring title.

Two for the Road

— So, Manny Pacquiao thinks he’s a basketball player? One month away from his championship fight with Chris Algieri, Pacquiao decided to make his pro debut in the Philippine Basketball Association over the weekend. Say what???

— We know there is no way a boxing champion would flop in a pro basketball game right? Just like there is no way that Lance Stephenson would ever flop in an NBA game. He grew up in the Bronx. There’s no way…