Dot - Dot - Dot Com
with Jim Paschke

Welcome back to Dot…Dot…Dot…Com. I trust you are enjoying what has become a very entertaining and interesting Bucks season. If the Bucks can survive another month of their road-heavy first half schedule and their injuries, the final two months of this season should be an enjoyable run to the playoffs.

I also like the long-term prospects now that Earl Boykins is in Milwaukee, assuming that he exercises his opt-out clause and remains with the Bucks. Earl is a rarity; a small guard who has clearly figured out his role in this league. Boykins has extreme talent, but more importantly, he has a consistent demeanor and an incredible focus on what his contribution should be in each and every game.

In the meantime, let’s consider one more reason Michael Redd should be considered among the very best players in the Eastern Conference as we approach the All-Star game in Las Vegas next month.

An early January back-to-back series with the Wizards brought up an interesting question; “Are Milwaukee’s Michael Redd and Gilbert Arenas of Washington, both second round picks, the best players in their respective draft classes at this point?” Let’s examine the facts.

Redd was taken with the 43rd pick in 2000. A year later, Arenas was the 31st selection in 2001. If you watch the NBA, you instantly know that they are both top-flight players, and among the game’s best and most electrifying talents. But are they the “Best in Class?”

In Redd’s case, 2000 was very weak “First Round” draft. There have been just three All-Star appearances out of this entire class. Kenyon Martin (1), Jamaal Magloire (19) and Redd (43) have been the only participants.

You would probably agree that Martin, Darius Miles (3), Mike Miller (5), Chris Mihm (7), Jamal Crawford (8) Joel Przybilla (9), Etan Thomas (12) Desmond Mason (17), Speedy Claxton (20) Morris Peterson (21) and DeShawn Stevenson (23) have all had a reasonable amount of success. There has been little if anything spectacular from this group.

The “Busts” of 2000 are Stromile Swift (2), Marcus Fizer (4), Jerome Moiso (11), Mateen Cleaves (14), and Courtney Alexander (13).

So you can see, it is not difficult at all to label Michael Redd “The Best of 2000.” When you consider his draft position, he is one of the best NBA picks in recent history.

Now for Gilbert Arenas: His Washington Wizards opened 2001 by selecting Kwame Brown, considered by many to be one of the worst number one overall picks ever. The Wizards rebounded nicely taking Arenas at 31.

Other than Arenas, this draft includes several players that have made a big mark in the league. Pau Gasol (3), Jason Richardson (5), Joe Johnson (10), Richard Jefferson (13), Zach Randolph (19), and Tony Parker (28).

Some success has come to Shane Battier (6), Troy Murphy (14), Brendan Haywood (20), Jamaal Tinsley (27), Mehmet Okur (38), Bobby Simmons (42), and twin brothers Jason Collins (18) and Jarron Collins (53)

The underachievers from 2001 are Tyson Chandler (2), Eddy Curry (4), based on their draft position.

2001 has produced twice as many All-Star berths as Redd’s draft, and two NBA Championship players in Parker and Okur.

Therefore, while Gilbert Arenas is a pre-imminent NBA star, it is more difficult to label him as clearly the best of class. He may be, but you would need a longer discussion regarding Gilbert than you would about Redd.

It will be interesting to see if the NBA coaches disregard Redd’s injury and award him a well-deserved All-Star berth next month.

Enjoy Bucks basketball and I’ll see you at the Bradley Center.

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