The Bucks will return to the Univ. of Wisconsin this fall "for the first time" since '99, "opening training camp Sept. 29 and continuing until Oct. 2," according to Jon Masson of the WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL. They will "practice at UW’s Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion before returning to their practice facility in St. Francis." The team then will "come back to Madison" to play the T'Wolves in a preseason game on Oct. 20 at the Kohl Center. The Bucks "are emphasizing their presence throughout the state as they try to get a new downtown arena in Milwaukee approved by the state legislature." Bucks GM John Hammond said, “We feel like we are the state of Wisconsin’s team. Not just the city of Milwaukee, but the entire state. We need the support and we appreciate the support.” UW AD Barry Alvarez said that the school "always has tried to work with the state’s professional teams and is thrilled to have this partnership with the Bucks" (WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL, 7/6). In Milwaukee, Charles Gardner notes the Bucks last year "played two home preseason games at the BMO Harris Bradley Center and one game" at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, but "no preseason game will be played" in Ashwaubenon this year. Bucks coach Jason Kidd said that he "thought the public would be able to watch the Bucks at some point during the training camp" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/7).
BLOCKED SHOT: Kidd yesterday "responded to a published report that said he would take over as the club's head of basketball operations this week" and Hammond "would be reassigned or leave the organization." Kidd said, "Sometimes sources can be wrong, media can be wrong, coaches can be wrong. ... It was totally wrong. Hammond has been in the league I think a little bit longer than I have, so this is another source for me to learn." The JOURNAL SENTINEL's Gardner notes Hammond "is in the final year of his contract, while Kidd has two years remaining" on the three-year, $15M contract he received last summer after leaving the Nets (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/7). Hammond thought the fact he and Kidd "were present" at yesterday’s news conference "provided evidence to contradict the report." Hammond: “We have a good camaraderie in how we work. We have a good relationship in how we do our jobs. Look, this is a special thing. There’s nothing like winning.” Kidd: "There are no problems in Milwaukee" (MADISON.com, 7/6).
