Van Horn

A seven-year veteran, Van Horn had played his entire career under the cynical gaze of sportswriters in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia, always quick to jump on Van Horn for his lack of assertiveness, but seldom eager to laud his 17.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

Now he lives in a one-paper town, which is good for him considering the disappearing act he pulled against the playoffs in Detroit. After averaging 16.1 ppg during the regular season, KVH dipped to a paltry 8.0 ppg against the Pistons.

Maybe life in serene Milwaukee, and the occasional visit from college coach/Milwaukee resident Rick Majerus, will allow Van Horn to finally settle down and shake the maddening inconsistency. If not, he can take solace in the fact that what was once fodder for the New York sports pages will now be largely overlooked.

Redd

Last season was a breakout campaign for Michael Redd. Never a full-time starter before last season, Redd was the league's 10th leading scorer (21.7 ppg). An All-Star and an All-NBA Third Team selection, Redd is the best player on a roster that includes a lot of good-to-very good players, but no superstars.

Desmond Mason, Keith Van Horn, Toni Kukoc or Joe Smith might heat up on a given night and carry the Bucks to the win. They might not. Mason is worth the price of admission alone because you never know when he'll explode off his pogo sticks and leave the reverse Spalding imprint on an unsuspecting forehead.

T.J. Ford was in the midst of an impressive rookie campaign, but it ended abruptly when he suffered a spinal cord injury on February 24. The former Longhorn hasn't played since and won't be available when training camp begins. The free agent signings of Mike James and Maurice Williams are an indication that it may be a while before the speedy point guard returns to the lineup.

The loss of Brian Skinner hurts. A great acquisition by General Manager Larry Harris a year ago, Skinner took his 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds to Philadelphia, leaving a hole in the middle of the lineup. Returnees Dan Gadzuric and Daniel Santiago are the team's best candidates to step in.

Last year taught us not to underestimate the Bucks, who played well for new coach Terry Porter. Expecting them to improve upon last year's effort, though, seems like a lot to ask.