The Bucks have signed 24-year old power forward Darnell Jackson. Jackson played in 27 games (0 starts) for the Cavaliers last season in which he averaged 4.2 minutes, 0.8 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. He has now played in 78 games (2 starts) in his two years in the NBA in which he is averaging 7.0 minutes, 1.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. Jackson will provide the Bucks with some muscle off the bench if they need it.

27-year old SG/SF Carlos Delfino is playing the best basketball of his NBA career and the Bucks are benefitting from it. Delfino has played in 66 games (57 starts) for the Bucks this season and he is averaging 30.3 minutes, 11.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Delfino has been one of the bigger surprises for the Bucks this season and they hope he can keep up the good work.

The Milwaukee Bucks finished last season with a 34-48 record, good enough for 12th place in the Eastern Conference.  They came into this season without their team leaders in points (Richard Jefferson), rebounds (Charlie Villanueva), and assists (Ramon Sessions).  That had many lead to believe that the Bucks would be taking a step back this season, and be at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.  Well, things have gone very well in Milwaukee this season thanks to center Andrew Bogut having a career year, rookie point guard Brandon Jennings playing far better than expected, and the February acquisition of John Salmons.  Bogut is averaging 16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.5 blocks while shooting 52% from the field.  The rookie Jennings has been an impact player since day one for the Bucks, averaging 15.9 points, 6.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.  He hasn’t shot the ball well from the field (only 37%), but he has been a good threat from three, hitting 39% from behind the arc.  Then there is Salmons, who is averaging 18.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals since joining the Bucks.  They have gone 12-2 since acquiring Salmons and they are now at the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference with a 36-30 record.  Head coach Scott Skiles has done a great job with this group, and don’t be surprised if the Bucks make a run in this year’s playoffs.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been moving up the standings in the Eastern Conference ever since returning from the All-Star break.  They have now gone 12-2 since the All-Star weekend, and the trade they made for John Salmons around that time has been paying off.  The Bucks are 10-1 with Salmons, and with the Bucks Salmons is averaging 18.9 points, 3.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals.  He has been shooting 44% from the field and although he is a streaky shooter, opposing teams have to cover him as a constant threat from the three point line.  With the Bucks he has been hitting 34% of his threes.  The Bucks have definitely become a better team with Salmons, and the numbers and records prove it.  Before Salmons joined the Bucks they were at the number eight spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.  They are now at the number five spot and they are six games behind the Boston Celtics in the fourth spot.  Salmons’ former team, the Chicago Bulls, were at the fifth spot when he left and they are now out of the top eight spots, sitting in ninth place.  Injuries have more to do with the Bulls drop-off, but they are definitely missing Salmons now that they don’t have much depth.

I’ll admit that I was scratching my head when the Bucks signed 35-year old SG/SF Jerry Stackhouse off the street but it’s proving to be a smart move. Stackhouse has played in 23 games (0 starts) for the Bucks this season and he is averaging 20.8 minutes, 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Stackhouse has brought a winning attitude to Milwaukee as he’s not clamoring for more shots than what comes his way.

The Bucks rushed out to a 77-60 lead after three quarters which was enough of a cushion for them to win. John Salmons led the way for the Bucks last night with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals. Ersan Ilyasova was tough around the basket finishing with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Andrew Bogut pitched in with 15 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocked shots last night. The Bucks are now 31-29 on the season.