Tougher, by George

Bucks' Karl excited about team's changed mindset

By Marty Burns, Sports Illustrated

MILWAUKEE -- It was an intrasquad scrimmage, and Bucks backup guard Kevin Ollie must have had visions of emulating former Sixers teammate Allen Iverson. But just as Ollie left his feet on a wild drive to the rim, 6-foot-8 forward Anthony Mason swooped over and knocked the 6-foot-2 veteran flat on his butt.

Dazed, Ollie looked around for some love from the refs.

Sorry, but guys who play for eight teams in five years don't get pity calls. Either that, or the refs just didn't want their own case of Mase in the Face.

While Ollie shook off the cobwebs, Bucks coach George Karl showed no emotion as he sat watching alone in the corner of the gym. But it's safe to say, the guy in the shorts, yellow sweater vest and vintage '80s Brewers cap was loving every minute of it. In fact, it probably took all the self-control Karl could muster not to jump right out of his cushioned swivel chair.

"Watching practices so far, there's been a real difference," Karl said later while getting an update on the Cards-D'backs playoff game on his office TV.

"There's a toughness now. We've got a—holes. We haven't had that here in awhile."

The presence of Mason, Ollie, Cedric Henderson and several rookies has injected a new spirit of competition at the Bucks' camp. Karl especially likes their toughness at the defensive end, a sore spot for him since Milwaukee finished 22nd in points allowed a year ago. "We have to get better defensively," he says.

The Bucks hope 6-foot-10 Tim Thomas, the new starting small forward, can make a difference with his length, quickness and ability to hit the glass. He certainly should be an improvement over the departed Glenn Robinson, who was never known as a stopper. They also feel power forward Mason will be better now that he's had a year in Karl's system.

Of course, the perpetually surly Mason can also help set a tone. With smooth scorers like Ray Allen and Sam Cassell, the Bucks simply have been too nice for too long. Says Karl, who spent the first three days of camp almost entirely on defense, "Mase's personality is like my personality: He wants us to get tougher."

Can Karl completely alter the free-flowing character of the Bucks? No chance. But a little more D -- and a few more hard fouls -- just might help them from another Ollie-like tumble in the standings.

 

Related information

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video