Milwaukee Bucks

2006-07 record: 28-54 Last in the Central

Added: Royal Ivey, Yi Jianlian, Desmond Mason, Michael Ruffin, Ramon Sessions, Awvee Storey, Jake Voskuhl, Samaki Walker

Lost: Earl Boykins, Ersan Ilyasova, Damir Markota, Ruben Patterson, Jared Reiner, Brian Skinner

PG: Maurice Williams, Lynn Greer, Ramon Sessions

SG: Michael Redd, Charlie Bell, Royal Ivey, Awvee Storey

SF: Desmond Mason, Bobby Simmons, David Noel

PF: Charlie Villanueva, Yi Jianlian, Michael Ruffin, Samaki Walker

C: Andrew Bogut, Dan Gadzuric, Jake Voskuhl

Overview:

A team that couldn’t stop anyone, couldn’t rebound, and as a team blocked fewer shots per game than Marcus Camby or Josh Smith apparently did not feel the need to address any of those issues. They re-signed Maurice Williams and brought back Desmond Mason, but who is going to grab a rebound or block a shot? They missed Jamaal Magloire last year more than Jamaal Magloire should ever be missed by anyone. Dan Gadzuric is their best rebounder and shot blocker, but they can’t play him as much as they need to because of their investment in Andrew Bogut. I like Bogut, he is on the list of twenty or so big men who would be so incredibly perfect for the Bulls, but he is a terrible fit with this team. Bogut should be the second option offensively for the Bucks, but he was getting less shots than Charlie Bell. If they aren’t going to give him the ball, then he really doesn’t do the team any good.

In the draft, the Bucks pulled a stunner and picked Yi. Even his handlers in China feel the Bucks already had too many similar players. What is scary is that they are right. If Yi develops into everything the Bucks and NBA hopes he will be, then he is just another Charlie Villanueva. They already have Charlie Villanueva, and while they missed him when he battled a couple of injuries last year, they don’t need another version of him. If the Bucks are guaranteeing him 20-25 minutes a night, just a rumor, then they are killing their season. He is a project. His summer league performance was miserable. He averaged 7 fouls, had close to 5 turnovers per game, and shot a whopping 25 percent from the floor.

All in all, this is a franchise that is a mess. They killed themselves when they gave up T.J. Ford and then barely used Steve Blake (before giving him to Denver). It stuns me how a team can attempt play an up-tempo, run-and-gun style without a quick, pass-first point guard? Maurice Williams is the only player who can create opportunities for his teammates. They have plenty of scorers. They have a player in Michael Redd who may be the most underappreciated player in the NBA. Desmond Mason is a great scorer. If Bobby Simmons and Charlie Villanueva come back from their injuries, they will add even more firepower, but I’m not confident that Maurice Williams can be the sole creator on this team if they are to improve on last season’s 28-win mark.

As Bucks fans we were all obviously hoping for one of the top two picks. But what we got on lottery day was a wake up call. You can tank all the games you want the last month of the season but the NBA Draft lottery can rip your heart out like nothing else. I’m not going to say the NBA Lottery gods had something to do with it, but it is a reminder to NBA fans, winning is NEVER secondary. Losing, even for the possibility for a higher draft pick never helps. Creating an atmosphere where losing is acceptable in some situations (that situation is helping Herb Kohl sell the team with a franchise player). Not to mention you have thousands of dedicated Bucks fans going to see games where the starting players are all sitting on the bench. I’m sure i’m not the only fan pissed off by it.

 But getting back the the draft. Sure, we landed the 6th pick. I love Greg Oden, but we have Bogut and Villanueva who are a serviceable tandem. We have the scorers where we didn’t really need Kevin Durant. We don’t really need Al Horford even though he’s going to be a solid Vin Baker type player. What we need is a small forward or Mike Conley.

 Ruben Patterson is gone. Ersan Ilyasova and David Noel are not good enough to log in more than 15 minutes a night consistantly. And as we all know, nobody knows what we will get out of Bobby Simmons next season. Corey Brewer would be my pick if he’s there at #6, he brings the outside shot, toughness and defensive effort that we completely lack at every position. If Mike Conley is available with the 6th pick, and resigning Mo Williams looks like it could be a problem, I think we could go in that direction. He’s a pass first, athletic, quick as hell guy that I think can play right away. He’s essentially T.J. Ford with more upside and defensive toughness. If we pick Conley we pretty much have to hope that Simmons can log starters minutes consistantly.

 Please post draft comments and suggestions.

 This has been written by BrewCityBuck.

Sometimes I don’t get it.  the Bucks have 2 great young forwards.  And IMO, they aren’t receiving enough minutes.  Both of these guys should be getting 36-38 minutes a game. Sure they are young..but that’s only reason to play them more. It’s not like they are always fouling out or anything either.  Andrew Bogut has fouled out once this season.  The rest of the time, i’m not quite sure why they aren’t playing.

IMO I think this Bucks team would win a few games with the increased minutes.  If you don’t think so, thats fine it’s an arguable point.  However, if this team can sneak into the playoffs..no doubt  it would be beneficial if these guys had the most experience possible.  Had the confidence. And had everything that comes with it.  Hopefully we see their minutes go up as the season goes on.