Before too long, Bucks certain to figure out Skiles' usual ways

Suddenly, Scott Skiles is full of surprises.

First, he essentially gave up trying to coach the Bulls last fall -- which was an odd position for someone who preaches all-out effort -- and now he has managed to portray himself as the victim of those who believe he rides his players beyond reason.

At his news conference Monday after taking the Milwaukee job, Skiles said he doesn't intend to be any less demanding.

"I always feel like I'm supposed to apologize for that," Skiles said. "And I'm not sure that's the tack I want to take. Anybody that is going to come to work with enthusiasm, concentrate and play hard will never have a problem with me.''

Except that it's never good enough for Skiles, which is why players tune him out after a year or 18 months, and why he faces criticism for that.

Nobody expects Skiles to apologize for asking a lot of his players. All good coaches do that, but Skiles doesn't know where the line is. He crossed it both in Phoenix and Chicago, and most likely he will cross it again in Milwaukee.

He probably knows that, too, but no one can blame Skiles for taking another big payday, even though he had a year left on the four-year, $16 million contract he signed with the Bulls in 2005.

As for the Bucks, you do have to wonder what they were thinking.

After all, how is Skiles going to communicate with Yi Jianlian when Skiles can't communicate with those fluent in English?

By next spring every player on the team will need an interpreter.

Yes, the Bucks wanted to get tougher, and Skiles will make them tougher. They'll also play hard for him -- for a year or two.

Then, they'll begin to tune him out and perhaps quit on him, as the players did in Phoenix and Chicago.

None of that changes Skiles' ability to coach in practice, to teach, and to get performance for a short period of time. Of that, there has never been a question.

But is it likely that he has changed his ways at all from those that cost him the two NBA jobs he's already had?

Good luck to the Bucks while they wait for an answer.

Bearing down

Have you heard the one about the Bears trading with New England, moving up to No. 7, and drafting BC QB Matt Ryan?

Sure, he's got faults, but Ryan's also got intangibles and he's got a knack for second-half heroics.

The Pats' pick is a big one because Baltimore also is thought to like Ryan at No. 8.

Pursuing Chelios?

Don't be shocked if the Blackhawks take a shot at bringing back Chris Chelios, because even at the age of 46 he fits right in with the legends series running on the West Side.

The Hawks can have a Chelios night, retire his jersey, sell thousands of tickets, and then have him play 20 minutes on a defense lacking leadership.

In some ways, he's just what the club needs, with kids running amok in the locker room and no one really in control. Chelios would never allow it, becoming something of a player-coach himself, and perhaps even the manner of speak, spin and fantasy would change with some lessons from the 22-year veteran.

Just defensive

Dallas defenseman Stephane Robidas played well for a rotten Hawks team the year before the lockout, but when hockey returned, Hawks GM Dale Tallon -- having spent a ton on defensemen Adrian Aucoin and Jassen Cullimore -- had no interest in Robidas, who inked for a mere pittance with Dallas.

Robidas has had some nice years in Dallas and was the Stars' best player in their first-round upset of Anaheim.

Just coaching

Bruins coach Claude Julien coached a year in juniors, winning a Memorial Cup, and spent three years in the AHL before making it to the NHL, so it's fascinating to see how someone with experience teaches young players.

It's not based on keeping high draft picks happy, or pleasing the players, fans, media or general manager.

Julian benched 2006 top pick Phil Kessel for three games in the opening series with Montreal because of Kessel's lack of responsibility in the defensive end.

The young forward's response? A brilliant return in Games 5 and 6, including ice time at the end of a game with the contest in doubt.

Yes, the same kid benched for defensive deficiencies is on the ice in the final minute, protecting a lead.

Very interesting to watch experienced coaches work this time of year.

The good cause

Arizona starter Doug Davis, who underwent surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid April 9, is hoping to return May 9 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

In the meantime, the Diamondbacks have partnered with Davis to create the "49 Fund,'' assisting families with children suffering from cancer. Visit dbacks.com for more info.

Just asking

Wouldn't Frank Thomas fit right in with the Detroit Tigers?

Book of Isiah

David Letterman's No. 1 Thing Overheard During The Pope's Visit To New York City: "Wanna perform a miracle? Help the Knicks win a game."

Wild pitch

David Thomas of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, on an astronaut throwing out the first pitch before a game, while still in orbit: "Apparently, they had a baseball sitting around the space station from Chan Ho Park's days with the Rangers."

And finally …

David Letterman: "The Pope's going to be at Yankee Stadium. He's going to let Billy Crystal be a bishop for a day.''

brozner@dailyherald.com