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**narek** · 10-03-2007, 03:47 AM

Krystkowiak emphasizes rebounding, defense during opening sessions

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Coach Larry Krystkowiak has not been able to stress enough the importance of this training camp.

That's because Krystkowiak, who took over for former coach Terry Stotts last March and piloted the team through the final 18 games of the regular season, is still somewhat of an unknown quantity to the players.

They got a bit of a feel for how he operates during last season's stretch run, but over the next four weeks leading up to the regular-season opener in Orlando on Oct. 31, the players will have plenty of time to get further acquainted with the coach and vice versa.

"Time will tell, but certainly in an NBA season, not many inroads can be made or much progress can be made without a training camp," said Krystkowiak. "With the schedule, you just don't have enough practice time. There's an awful lot of learning in the first month of the season and if you don't have your ducks in a row - if it's broken where the season starts - it's really hard to get it fixed. So I think it's imperative that we have a real solid training camp."

Krystkowiak conducted two practices Tuesday with the morning workout - the one that was open to reporters - lasting 2 ½ hours. During that practice, the Bucks went through some high-energy five-on-five and four-on-four drills with an over-riding emphasis on defense and rebounding. At one point, Krystkowiak felt obliged to remind his players that they ranked 30th in the league last season in defensive rebounding.

Larry K's going to open a lot of the practices to the media. Could get interesting.

By the looks of things, Redd could have banner season

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+ The Bucks were ravaged by injuries last season, so the last thing Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak wanted to see – especially on the first day of practice – was someone getting hurt.

But that’s what happened toward the tail end of practice when point guard Mo Williams experienced pain in his left shoulder. Williams left the court and put on a protective brace before returning to practice.

Williams missed nine games last season because of an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder.

“He dinged his shoulder,’’ Krystkowiak said. “I can only cross my fingers he’ll be OK.’’

+ Early last season, when Andrew Bogut struggled, he called on his old coach/friend from Australia, Sinisa Markovic to help him out.

Markovic flew to Milwaukee, worked almost daily with the young center for several weeks and did a wonderful job of getting Bogut back on track.

This summer, Markovic worked with Bogut again. Markovic said he worked out Bogut twice a day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and once on Wednesdays.

Sinisa, who has known Bogut since he was a teenager and who is now staying with him at his new home in Mequon, said he expects Bogut to have a stellar season.

“I hope … I know he will have a very good season,’’ Markovic said. “I think his play will be close to an All-Star.’’

News on Redd and Bell at the link.

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