Bucks look to improve defense and rebounding, alter starting line-up

Paul Imig Posted: Oct. 9, 2009

St. Francis – After giving up a combined 230 points in two preseason losses, Milwaukee Bucks coach Scott Skiles is looking to put an end to that, beginning with a change to his team’s starting lineup.

Skiles is turning to 37-year-old Kurt Thomas at power forward, replacing Ersan Ilyasova who has not recorded a rebound in 36 minutes on the floor in the first two games.

The other change is at small forward, where Carlos Delfino will start in place of Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

“We’ve been getting killed on the boards,” Skiles said after Thursday’s practice. “We’re not playing physical enough. We’d like to present a little tougher front to start a game, so we’ll see. More than likely we may change the lineup a couple times in the next three games, because we have three games in four nights.”

Andrew Bogut played the entire first quarter against Detroit on Wednesday night, scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds. The Bucks led by six at the end of the quarter, but Bogut believes adding Thomas and Delfino will give the starting group a different look.

“It’s probably more of a defensive unit with Kurt Thomas in at the four (power forward),” Bogut said. “He’s one of the best post defenders in the NBA. Very savvy veteran, knows how to play, can rebound, and I think he’ll help us in there.

“We need to improve our rebounding. It’s been pretty poor the first two games. I think coach is just tinkering with things, trying to figure out who he’s going to have in that starting unit on opening night.”

With Bogut’s minutes being limited at this point as he returns from a back injury, Ilyasova knows that he’ll need to contribute more in the paint and with rebounds.

“If I play the four, I have to be more physical,” Ilyasova said. “It’s all about timing. So it’ll take a little time to adjust to the way the NBA plays and I’ll be more physical.”

The switch to Thomas at power forward for Saturday’s game against Chicago, being played in Green Bay, could only be a temporary change, but Ilyasova isn’t concerned.

“It doesn’t matter to be a starter or not,” he said. “The most important thing is if I’m in the game, I’ll try to do my best to bring something to the game and try to help my teammates win the game.”

Another possibility to start at power forward is Hakim Warrick, who has averaged 18 points and 5.5 rebounds off the bench so far this preseason.

“I’m not ruling him out as a starter either,” Skiles said of Warrick. “We may change it a couple times and give Hak (Warrick) a look up front as well.”

Warrick spent the first four years of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies and started 43 games during the 2006-‘07 season, but his starts dropped to 30 the following year, and only started seven games last season.

“No matter what I learned in this business, you’ve got to be ready whenever your number is called,” Warrick said. “So whether I’m starting or coming off the bench, I’m comfortable with that. I think I’ve shown that I can perform doing both, so whichever can help the team win, whichever coach feels is the best for the team, I’m willing to do.”

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Bucks look to improve defense and rebounding, alter starting line-up