MILWAUKEE – What could be worse than getting beaten by 20 in Milwaukee? Getting beaten by 20 and having to stay in Milwaukee.
The Nets were scheduled to fly out of Wisconsin last night after their awful 95-75 loss to the Bucks, but their flight was canceled because of a mechanical problem.
The team is scheduled to leave today. *When Jim McIlvaine played for the Sonics, it seemed like the whole world, or at least the city of Seattle, was against him. There were the huge expectations that go with a seven-year, $35 million deal. But he did have a supporter: the guy who didn’t play him, coach George Karl.
“He was in an impossible situation in Seattle,” Karl, now the Bucks’ coach, said of the Nets’ acquisition, which he called a great move for McIlvaine. “It was the fans and the whole mentality. It was probably best he moved on. I really think Mac knows who he is – a backup center that got fortunate in the free agent market.
“He always gave me the right attitude.” *Jayson Williams entered the game with 0-of-12 shooting in his two previous games – including 10 bricks against Orlando. The streak ran to 0-of-14 last night before he scored on a put-back at 7:33 before halftime.
“I feel really good,” insisted Williams, who said he was not worried about his shooting. “I’m not getting the ball where I’m used to getting it. But my shooting, that’s the last thing I’m worried about. If I wasn’t rebounding, then I’d be worried.” *Kendall Gill still harbors ill feelings toward Karl from their days in Seattle. When he was asked about the Bucks, he said, “I don’t know anything about them. I just know their coach. And I don’t like him.” … Kittles seemed to have his mind made up Wednesday night to play against the Bucks, but Williams provided extra incentive, noting, “If Kerry doesn’t, I’ll take two fingers and choke him to death. That’s how skinny his neck his. He’s the only man on the team who’s got a size nine neck.” *Eric Murdock expects to be ready for Miami Monday, noting, “I’m being cautious but at the same time, Monday would be a good target date. It would be nice to have a full deck to really see what kind of team we have. I really think when everybody gets healthy, we can be a dangerous team.”