
--Joe Alexander certainly qualifies as an interesting draft pick. The Bucks snapped up the athletic 6-8 forward from West Virginia with the eighth selection on June 26. Alexander spent the first eight years of his life in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong, and reportedly speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.
After barely playing during his freshman year of college, he averaged 16.9 points and 6.4 rebounds last season as a junior. When he was introduced at the Bucks' practice facility the day after the draft, the emphasis was on Alexander's toughness. "Finding a guy with a high level of mental toughness is very important for where we are right now," coach Scott Skiles said. "This is an unforgiving league. Not only is Joe a good player, but we also feel he has those (mental) attributes make him very appealing right now."
Alexander was agreeable not only with Skiles' assessment but the whole idea of playing for the Bucks. That should be a refreshing contrast to the icy reception the team received from Yi Jianlian's representatives last year.
"They were looking for a player who could bring mental toughness and be a competitor, and I think that's what I bring," Alexander said. "So, naturally, we were a good fit. I want to come here. I like the city of Milwaukee. You guys have a great fan base and a good following and a great tradition. So this is a place I'm happy to be."
--In the second round, the Bucks added UCLA power forward Luc Mbah a Moute. The Cameroon native was a three-year starter and each season ended with a trip to the Final Four. His best season actually came as a freshman, when he averaged 9.1 points and 8.2 rebounds. He was slowed by injuries as a junior last season, when he produced 8.8 points and 6.0 rebounds.
"He's from a winning program, he's got great length, he can guard two or three different positions," coach Scott Skiles said. "I think he'll still improve and he's a high-quality person."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Moving Yi was not easy. Simply put, to acquire talent you have to give up talent. And we gave up a very talented piece with tremendous upside. We think New Jersey will be a tremendous place for him, and we're happy for him." -- General manager John Hammond after the Bucks traded forward Yi Jianlian to New Jersey.