Milwaukee Bucks Preview

Hello Readers,
I'm getting nervous that I won't finish this before the season starts, so I will try to write previews more quickly. Anyways,

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Key Additions: Samuel Dalembert (FA), Marquis Daniels (FA), Doron Lamb (rookie), Joel Pryzbilla (FA)

Key Losses: Jon Leuer (FA), Carlos Delfino (FA).

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG: Brandon Jennings
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (will be written LRMAM, cause I'm lazy)
PF: Ersan Ilyasova
C: Dalembert

Role Players: Drew Gooden, Beno Udrih, John Henson, Lamb, Ekpe Udoh, Tobias Harris, Mike Dunleavy

Comments: Scott Skiles kind of annoys me as a head coach. He seems so cocky in his belief that playing good defense automatically gets you wins. After a playoff appearance in Andrew Bogut's best season (where he promptly injured his hand and was out for the postseason), a cool Fear the Deer movement, the team went back to being not quite good enough to make the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference. Skiles probably thought his team was on the right track, but the teams fans were sick of the mediocrity. So, team management wanted to put some offensive firepower into the lineup, so went after Monta Ellis and depth at the forward positions.

At PG, Brandon Jennings is very streaky, not only in his shooting (which can be very good), but also in his decision making. He is really tiny (169 pounds), so has the speed advantage, but his finishing is mediocre, and his assist:turnover rate is not very good (5:2). The presence of Ellis full time should be good for Jennings offensively as he won't need to take on all the ball handling, but I just don't see Jennings ever taking the next step with his game. Too weak, too streaky. Beno Udrih is a solid backup...if you happen to like Spurs cast offs.

Monta Ellis is one of the top 5 offensive scorers in the league, strictly from a scoring stand point. And I will give you the rest of my 5 (Durant, Melo, Ellis, Bryant, James). If you don't know who he is, check this video out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIPi43Vak2Q Anyway, he can't play defense at all, as also evidence by the video. You can also see that he needs to have the ball in his hand, to create his own shot, and he will not pass. At 185 pounds, he is also tiny, so the backcourt will have real big problems covering bigger shooting guards. Lamb as a backup should give him the opportunity to make an impact. At Kentucky, he was a lights out shooter as well as a solid defender, really an underrated piece to that championship team. I expect him to make a nice contribution.

The frontcourt is where the uncertainty of the team begins. LRMAM is one of the best wing defenders in the league, which makes him a necessary role player on any team, but his offense is so bad that he can be ignored on that end, which makes him a liability. Therefore, he never plays in clutch time. But at least he knows who he is, and will always get 20-25 minutes of play. Tobias Harris is an intriguing player. He didn't get much playing time as a rookie, but I expect that to change. He is a strong dude with a solid shooting touch. I would like to see him take over as the starting SF. If he doesn't Dunleavy will get those minutes. He is basically a pure shooter, can space the floor, and will hustle. This makes him a useful player if needed, but not someone that will make much of a difference.

The Bucks are really deep at PF. Ersan Ilyasova had a breakout season last year, and was a key component of my fantasy team. He is a really good rebounder somehow, even though he is only 6'10. It goes to show how much just effort is involved in rebounding. In addition, he has got a nice shooting touch. I would like to see him bulk up and develop a more consistent post game, but Ilyasova is definitely a nice piece offensively. Drew Gooden is the veteran big man that is kind of the enforcer. He will push people around, grab offensive rebounds, and collect the trash buckets. He is on his way out, but John Henson is on his way in. I see John Henson as a young Drew Gooden type. He is an above average shot blocker, will hustle, but his offensive game has yet to develop. If the Bucks need a defensive lineup, they can turn to Henson or Gooden over Ilyasova.

Samuel Dalembert is another one of those guys that I would be scared if he joined the Heat. He is a great rebounder and shot blocker, and will patrol the paint with the best of them. He is another veteran that is paving the way for a younger version of himself-Ekpe Udoh. Udoh is not nearly as strong, but is a shot blocking type center who struggles offensively. Here is a clip that completely summarizes his game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lzeq5JOFT4. This team also has Larry Sanders and Pryzbilla, so a lot of big man depth, which can never be a bad thing.

This Bucks team has an interesting mix of big men that can't play offense, and guards that can't play defense. I don't always like teams with a lack of an identity like the Bucks, but I do think that this team is moving in the right direction and will make the playoffs. Most likely as the 8th seed, where they will be swept embarrassingly by the Heat. Honestly, I think this team could trade some of its young big men (Harris, Henson, Udoh), and could really get a quality player in return that could make this team a bit better. I'm thinking someone like an Al Jefferson, or Danny Granger.

Next up, Phoenix Suns