Bucks' Mirza Teletovic looking on the plus side
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Mirza Teletovic knows his role with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The veteran forward can fill some valuable reserve minutes when Giannis Antetokounmpo goes off the court. And he can help the Bucks’ younger players – including Antetokounmpo – with sage advice gained from playing 10 seasons in Europe and four-plus in the NBA.
On Wednesday night the 31-year-old Teletovic entered the game in the first quarter when Antetokounmpo picked up two fouls.
The native of Bosnia and Herzegovina scored 11 points in 20 minutes in the Bucks’ 97-96 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, but it was another number in the box score that pleased him the most.
That was his plus-10 plus-minus rating, meaning the Bucks outscored the Clippers by 10 points while he was on the court.
“Whoever I sub, that plus-minus sheet, you’re going to see the plus,” Teletovic said after the Bucks’ shootaround at Beverly Hills High School on Friday. “That’s definitely one thing I’m looking at.”
Teletovic has moved into a more prominent role as the backup power forward with Michael Beasley sidelined by a left knee injury.
Bucks coach Jason Kidd believes he can count on Teletovic, a player the Bucks signed to a three-year, $30 million deal during the past off-season.
“Mirza is one of our vets,” Kidd said, “so it’s being able to share his experiences and also being ready. We need him from here on out.
“He’s getting minutes and he feels good about that.”
Teletovic’s three-point shooting percentage this season is below his career number of 37% as he has hit 81 of 233 attempts for 34.8%.
He made 181 threes last season - a league record for a reserve player - but was getting more playing time with the Phoenix Suns.
“The one thing for Mirza right now, he’s playing the defensive side for us,” Kidd said. “He’s a lot bigger than you think (at 6-foot-9, 242 pounds).
“On the offensive end we know he can stretch the defense, but on the defensive end he’s competing and that’s what we need.”
Teletovic also has found that Antetokounmpo is willing to listen to any advice the veteran gives.
“I talk to Giannis a lot, and he’s somebody who listens and likes to learn,” Teletovic said. “Him being from Europe (Greece) and me being from Europe, he watched me a lot when I played.
“So I try to help him out with shooting and with some things I see from the bench. He appreciates the advice.”
Teletovic has played for his national team and also with professional teams in his home country, Belgium and Spain. He was named the Spanish King's Cup most valuable player in 2009 while helping Saski Baskonia win the trophy. He left his Spanish club after the 2011-'12 season and joined the Brooklyn Nets for three seasons, and Kidd was his coach in Brooklyn during the 2013-'14 season. Teletovic played one season with the Suns.
The Bucks (33-34) entered Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers with a chance to reach the .500 mark and continue their push for an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Milwaukee had won seven of its last eight games prior to Friday’s late game and was in seventh in the East.
“Everybody is focused and knows what’s at stake,” Teletovic said. “We had a tough game in Memphis (to start the trip).
“The game against the Clippers was very important for us. We played great defense and got a lot of stops. We took them out of their strengths; we stopped Chris Paul and defended Blake Griffin in the post.
“We didn’t let them get a lot of offensive rebounds and didn’t let them run. We were just really prepared for them.
“The Lakers are relaxed and they’re playing for nothing. Those are the most dangerous teams when they feel no pressure and everybody tries to score.
“We just have to come out with a lot of energy and positivity.”
The Lakers won the first meeting against the Bucks on Feb. 10 in Milwaukee, ending their Grammy trip with a 122-114 decision and surviving a career-high 41-point night by Antetokounmpo.
Magic influence: Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka are in charge of the Lakers now and getting a chance to evaluate the players on the current roster.
The Lakers’ new president of basketball operations and general manager met with players after practice on Thursday and started to provide input that will help them in the off-season.
Los Angeles is coming off a 139-100 loss at Houston on Wednesday. Jordan Clarkson has moved into the starting lineup at point guard and D’Angelo Russell is coming off the bench.