NBA TV Preview

In a city known for suds, the Milwaukee Bucks have engineered a 'macrobrew' lineup – good enough to satisfy the masses, but not likely to win a blue ribbon.

The Bucks, 40-42 last season, underwent a bit of a shakeup despite a 10-game improvement. A 3-6 finish doomed the Bucks to the eighth seed, where they were manhandled by Detroit for the second time in three seasons.

After two straight summer cleanings by General Manager Larry Harris, the Bucks have only three players (Michael Redd, Dan Gadzuric, Mo Williams) remaining from the end of 2004-05.

The T.J. Ford for Charlie Villanueva deal looks like a winner. With one deal, the Bucks got bigger, they saved money and they opted out of having to determine whether Ford was worth signing to a contract extension, given the severity of his injury history.

Villanueva averaged 13.0 points and 6.4 rebounds last season and projects as the starting power forward, allowing the Bucks the added benefit of dealing center Jamaal Magloire to Portland and inserting Andrew Bogut in the middle.

Bogut could blossom into one of the game’s better big men. Last season’s 9.4 point, 7.0 rebound rookie campaign was a good start; Bogut shot 53.3 percent, showed a necessary mean streak and was a very adept passer (2.3 assists) for a big man.

Magloire wasn’t a good fit in Milwakuee, where his demeanor (and his prodigious backside) were often reminiscent of Anthony Mason, circa 2002. Two of the players Milwaukee received in return, point guard Steve Blake and forward Brian Skinner, will give the Bucks outstanding depth.

The Bucks go two-deep at every position, and should have some interesting training camp battles at point guard (Williams, Blake, Charlie Bell) and at small forward (Bobby Simmons and the newly-acquired Ruben Patterson).

No battle is necessary at shooting guard, where Redd has established himself as one of the game’s best. He became only the second player in Bucks history to top 2,000 points in a season, averaging 25.4 ppg and adding a career-best 2.9 assists in 2005-06.

In a division that features at least two of the best defensive teams in the conference, Milwaukee will find it hard to keep pace even with the addition of Patterson, the one-time self-proclaimed "Kobe stopper." The Bucks allowed opponents to shoot 46.6 percent last year.

Prolific three-point shooting and one of the NBA’s best second units will keep Milwaukee in games, but can they win enough games to fend off improved teams in Toronto, Charlotte, Boston and Orlando? Expect another dogfight to the playoff finish.

-- Bill Evans

2006-07 Bucks Mini-Plans

Simmons

Undoubtedly, the Bucks were expecting more from Bobby Simmons than the small forward was able to deliver in his first season in Milwaukee.

Sure, he was the team’s second-leading scorer (13.4 ppg) and a prolific three-point shooter (.420), but he was a below-average rebounder (4.4 rpg) who disappeared in the playoffs (6.6 ppg), when Milwaukee needed him most.

"Bobby never really seemed comfortable in his role offensively last season," said one Eastern Conference Scout. "He was non-existent at times and really needs a more consistent scoring presence if the Bucks are going to take the next step this season."

The Bucks have added depth at the position now with the addition of Ruben Patterson, but they have a lot invested in Simmons and need him to realize his potential in 2006-07 if they’re going to contend in the NBA’s best division.

-- Bill Evans

X&O STRENGTH

Stotts

With no All-Stars to take pressure off of him, Michael Redd is truly impressive as he continues to score off the dribble with a high degree of difficulty...With that said, Maurice Williams and Charlie Bell are two of the brightest up-and-coming guards in the NBA.

X&O WEAKNESS
Its hard enough to win in this league, no less have to be a developer of young players. With the young Charlie Villanueva and the lottery pick of Bogut both needing to develop, that will be a challenge for him to accomplish what they did last year which was to make the playoffs.

HEAD COACH PHILOSOPHY
He is going to have to continue to create scoring opportunities for Redd and Maurice Williams...They’re an inexperienced team and its only Terry’s second season. Inexperience will be their Achilles’ heel in this tough division, they may be another year away from making a big impact.

-- John Gabriel (courtesy of the National Basketball Coaches Association)

They have two very good, young bigs -- Charlie Villanueva and Andrew Bogut. Bogut is going to be a solid player in this league. Charlie is going to be good and has the capability of being great if he would put everything into it. Offensively, skill-wise, he's as skilled a big as I've seen in a while.
Defensively, I don't think Charlie's going to guard anybody.
They helped themselves defensively by adding Ruben Patterson, but he can be an inconsistent type of personality.
Point guard is a concern. They added Steve Blake, and Mo Williams has been good. But, they played without T.J. for the most part, anyways, because he has been injured. Charlie Bell is a guy who's been a journeyman. He's been a decent player. Blake has, in spurts, been good but has shown he's inconsistent.

-- Eastern Conference Scout

Charlie Villanueva: Member of the All-Rookie team, scoring 13.0 points with 6.4 rebounds per game. Expect increases in those numbers.

Dan Gadzuric: Played only 12 minutes per game and averaged a career-low 3.1 rebounds and .58 blocks per game. Not what you want or need.

More fantasy news

The 2006-07 Bucks have a young starting five that is loaded with potential, focused around Michael Redd, Charlie Villanueva and Andrew Bogut. All three players are worthy of substantial roles on any fantasy team. Outside of those three, expect to see a battle for minutes at the point guard position (Steve Blake, Mo Williams and Charlie Bell) and at the small forward position (Bobby Simmons, Ruben Patterson). Be sure to keep an eye on those who eventually start at those positions.
-- Tom Lorenzo
Bucks Fantasy Preview

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