--C Andrew Bogut and Sinisa Markovic, who was Bogut's personal coach from Australia since he was a teenager, have parted ways. Markovic had regularly attended the Bucks' training camp and practices since Bogut joined the team and was living with Bogut before he headed back to Australia in early October. Reasons for the split weren't disclosed.
--The NBA schedule-makers did the Bucks a huge favor -- especially from an attendance standpoint. The Bucks will play 20 games on Saturday this season, with 15 of them at the Bradley Center. MAIN REASON BUCKS CAN WIN: For the first time in a long time, the Bucks will have a veteran-laden starting lineup. Their youngest starters will be Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva, who are both entering their fourth pro season.
MAIN REASON BUCKS CAN LOSE: The Bucks have a shortage of defensive-minded players and they certainly don't have a shut-down type defender. If Skiles can't change the team's mind-set about playing defense, it could spell another long season in Beertown. QUOTE TO NOTE: "The culture here has got to change; it's got to change. I think Senator Kohl (the Bucks' owner) has given me the responsibility to change that culture. It's not going to be easy. But we're going to get it done. Somehow, we're going to get it done." -- New Bucks GM John Hammond, on changing the fortunes of the Bucks, who failed to make the playoffs the last two seasons.
