In addition, Skinner is pleased to be leaving behind a messy situation in Portland. "When you have players that just don't care, that's contagious. Just like wildfire. It's time to move on," Skinner said.
Skinner averaged a career-high 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game with the Bucks in the 2003-'04 season. This time around, he will be counted on to provide depth on the front line behind Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva. "I've seen them play. (They are) very talented. (They are) young, but very talented. I'm looking forward to having them as teammates. Hopefully, I'll help them get better and they'll make me better. I'm hoping to be able to teach other players, not always verbally, but by example."
Skinner isn't worried about his role. He'll likely see minutes off the bench at both power forward and center. "I can play both positions and I'm comfortable playing both. You gotta go out and earn it. Nothing is free. If you want it, you gotta take it. Expectations lead to failure and disappointment. I just want to help this team win. I can give them what they need."
Skinner returns to a vastly different Bucks team than he left. Terry Porter was Skinner's coach in 2003-'04 and Terry Stotts is now in charge. Only Michael Redd, Joe Smith and Dan Gadzuric remain from that Bucks' team.
Having spent eight seasons in the NBA with the Clippers, Cavaliers, Sixers (twice), Kings, Blazers and Bucks (twice), you can understand why Skinner lives in the present. "This league is built on politics," he said. "You're not promised next week or the next game."
I guess that means he may be renting and not buying.
Dennis Krause joined OnMilwaukee.com as a contributor on June 16, 2006. He is a two-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year and a regional Emmy-award winner. Dennis has been the color analyst on home games for the Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network for the last 10 years. He has also been involved with the Green Bay Packers Radio Network for 16 years and is currently the host of the "Packers Game Day" pre-game show.
Dennis started his broadcasting career as a radio air personality in the Fox Valley and Milwaukee.
He spent three years as a sportscaster at WMBD radio and television in Peoria, Illinois before joining WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee in 1987 as a weekend sports anchor. Dennis spent 16 years at Channel 4, serving as its Sports Director and 5 and 6 pm sports anchor from 1994-2003.
Dennis grew up in Hartford, Wisconsin and attended UW-Oshkosh. He lives in Thiensville with his wife and two children. He serves as the Community Resource Director for the Mequon-Thiensville School District.
