2010-11 record: 35-47, just missing the playoffs but not in a position to get a great draft pick

Head Coach: Scott Skiles

Key Departures: Corey Maggette, John Salmons

Key Additions: Stephen Jackson, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Beno Udrih

Best-Case Scenario: The Bucks continue to play suffocating defense while finding some semblance of an offensive identity.

The de facto swap of the ball-stopping Corey Maggette for the playmaking (but still a volume shooter) Stephen Jackson gets the Bucks to start moving the ball. Andrew Bogut is healthy all season and his elbow issues are behind him, so he starts scoring again. Brandon Jennings recovers from his sophomore slump, gets back to being a promising playmaker, and makes more than 40% of his shots.

The Bucks make it back into the playoffs, and their tough defense and possession of a player who, in his own words, “makes love to pressure,” the Bucks become the team nobody wants to play in the first round.

More likely scenario: The Bucks’ offense improves, but not significantly. Stephen Jackson and Brandon Jennings take far, far too many ill-advised jumpers. The Bucks scrape into the playoffs, but prove to be a relatively easy out in the first round.

Prediction: 28-33 wins

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Bucks are in discussions with franchise icon Sidney Moncrief about returning to the team as an assistant coach, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been completed. Moncrief’s potential move was reported by multiple media outlets, including Yahoo Sports and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, earlier Wednesday.

Bucks coach Scott Skiles has an opening on his staff after Kelvin Sampson left to join Kevin McHale as an assistant with the Houston Rockets.

Moncrief played 10 of his 11 NBA seasons in Milwaukee, becoming a leader of the Bucks’ competitive teams in the 1980s. He was a two-time defensive player of the year.

It’s the continuation of an offseason makeover for the Bucks, who shook up their roster after last season’s disappointing 35-47 campaign.

Milwaukee made a three-team trade on draft day, acquiring Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and Beno Udrih. The Bucks traded away Corey Maggette, John Salmons and the draft rights to Jimmer Fredette.

Milwaukee came away from the draft with a pair of forwards, Tennessee’s Tobias Harris and Wisconsin’s Jon Leuer.

The Bucks are scheduled to start the season at San Antonio on Nov. 2, but the NBA’s lockout could threaten the beginning of the season.

___

Connect with AP Sports Writer Chris Jenkins: http://www.twitter.com/ByChrisJenkins

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Bucks are in discussions with franchise icon Sidney Moncrief about returning to the team as an assistant coach, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been completed. Moncrief’s potential move was reported by multiple media outlets, including Yahoo Sports and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, earlier Wednesday.

Bucks coach Scott Skiles has an opening on his staff after Kelvin Sampson left to join Kevin McHale as an assistant with the Houston Rockets.

Moncrief played 10 of his 11 NBA seasons in Milwaukee, becoming a leader of the Bucks’ competitive teams in the 1980s. He was a two-time defensive player of the year.

It’s the continuation of an offseason makeover for the Bucks, who shook up their roster after last season’s disappointing 35-47 campaign.

Milwaukee made a three-team trade on draft day, acquiring Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and Beno Udrih. The Bucks traded away Corey Maggette, John Salmons and the draft rights to Jimmer Fredette.

Milwaukee came away from the draft with a pair of forwards, Tennessee’s Tobias Harris and Wisconsin’s Jon Leuer.

The Bucks are scheduled to start the season at San Antonio on Nov. 2, but the NBA’s lockout could threaten the beginning of the season.

___

Connect with AP Sports Writer Chris Jenkins: www.twitter.com/ByChrisJenkins

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks are in discussions with franchise icon Sidney Moncrief about returning to the team as an assistant coach, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been completed. Moncrief’s potential move was reported by multiple media outlets, including Yahoo Sports and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, earlier Wednesday.

Bucks coach Scott Skiles has an opening on his staff after Kelvin Sampson left to join Kevin McHale as an assistant with the Houston Rockets.

Moncrief played 10 of his 11 NBA seasons in Milwaukee, becoming a leader of the Bucks’ competitive teams in the 1980s. He was a two-time defensive player of the year.

It’s the continuation of an offseason makeover for the Bucks, who shook up their roster after last season’s disappointing 35-47 campaign.

Milwaukee made a three-team trade on draft day, acquiring Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and Beno Udrih. The Bucks traded away Corey Maggette, John Salmons and the draft rights to Jimmer Fredette.

Milwaukee came away from the draft with a pair of forwards, Tennessee’s Tobias Harris and Wisconsin’s Jon Leuer.

The Bucks are scheduled to start the season at San Antonio on Nov. 2, but the NBA’s lockout could threaten the beginning of the season.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks are in discussions with franchise icon Sidney Moncrief about returning to the team as an assistant coach, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been completed. Moncrief’s potential move was reported by multiple media outlets, including Yahoo Sports and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, earlier Wednesday.

Bucks coach Scott Skiles has an opening on his staff after Kelvin Sampson left to join Kevin McHale as an assistant with the Houston Rockets.

Moncrief played 10 of his 11 NBA seasons in Milwaukee, becoming a leader of the Bucks’ competitive teams in the 1980s. He was a two-time defensive player of the year.

It’s the continuation of an offseason makeover for the Bucks, who shook up their roster after last season’s disappointing 35-47 campaign.

Milwaukee made a three-team trade on draft day, acquiring Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and Beno Udrih. The Bucks traded away Corey Maggette, John Salmons and the draft rights to Jimmer Fredette.

Milwaukee came away from the draft with a pair of forwards, Tennessee’s Tobias Harris and Wisconsin’s Jon Leuer.

The Bucks are scheduled to start the season at San Antonio on Nov. 2, but the NBA’s lockout could threaten the beginning of the season.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.