Season 2006/2007

Record 28-54

The fortune turned its back on the Bucks. Redd and Villanueva missed a half of the season each. Bucks player of the year in 2005/2006 Bobbie Simmons didn’t even make it onto the court. Milwaukee finished the year with 28th place and 6th draft spot.

Offseason

Draft

Yi Jianlian and Ramon Sessions.
A ghost from China: everyone heard of him, some say they even saw him. Nobody knows how old he really is. It is anyone’s guess how many minutes will he get.

Key Trades

Acquired: Desmond Mason returned. Also Jake Voskuhl and Royal Ivey. Milwaukee is short on guards, so Mason will most likely see some playing time at the shooting guard spot subbing for resting Redd.
Left: Earl Boykins, Lin Greer, Ruben Patterson, Brian Skinner.

Offseason grade: C

Season 2007/2008

Milwaukee’s defense is one of the worst in the league. Bogut is not strong enough to bang with most of his opponents. Mo Williams not heavy enough against any opponent. And when basketball god created Michael Redd, all of the talent went into the offensive game. And Ruben Patterson, the only good defender Bucks had, left the team this summer. Don’t expect any defensive improvements from this team.
Offense is another story. There are two reasons for the effective offense that Bucks display:
1. Tall quick players that can pass the ball. First of all it relates to Bogut, who is one of the best at that in the entire NBA.
2. Set of shooters led by Redd (26ppg).
This combination allows Milwaukee to remain in top 10 in NBA in scoring and field goal percentage. Addition of Mason and return of Simpson along with the full season from Redd and Villanueva should help to maintain the offensive production.
When the team decided to build around Michael Redd first thought or maybe even a reflective reaction was – mistake! Who do they rely on? What goals can achieve team that is lead by a shooter? If you think about it his game is best suited for the role player. Two years past since that time. Milwaukee had one solid season. Redd adopted, consistently plays better, became one of the best scorers in the NBA and doesn’t look like just a shooting specialist anymore. The contract that Redd signed at that time looks quite reasonable.
Bucks have a decent bench – Ivey will sub for Williams, Bell will fill in for 1, 2, and 3, Simmons will be a combo-forward, Gadzuric – fast and athletic center. They will have emphasis on the quick frontline that lacks size and strength.


Note of importance

Charlie Villanueva. Regardless of competition from Simmons and many injuries (he had several, one just recently) he should start showing his potential.


Bottom Line

Most likely out of the playoffs. Team needs to play some D to be considered a playoff contender.

Playoffs – small chance
Championship – no

Pretty interesting that they kept Yi off of the All-Star ballot... presumably the only player kept off the ballot who could have actually been voted in.

Maybe he will win based on write-ins alone?

A lot of competition in his spot though with KG and LeBron... so maybe he wouldn't make it anyway.

Pretty interesting that they kept Yi off of the All-Star ballot... presumably the only player kept off the ballot who could have actually been voted in.

Maybe he will win based on write-ins alone?

A lot of competition in his spot though with KG and LeBron... so maybe he wouldn't make it anyway.

I take it you mean the Chinese vote would get him in.

Doesn't T-Mac play the same position? Even Yi would have a tough time against T-Mac - Chinese fans ADORE McGrady. I have met a good number who say that he is their favorite player - even over Yao.

I take it you mean the Chinese vote would get him in.

Doesn't T-Mac play the same position? Even Yi would have a tough time against T-Mac - Chinese fans ADORE McGrady. I have met a good number who say that he is their favorite player - even over Yao.

TMac is in the West. But you're right, he probably wouldn't actually make it in, but he would surely get more votes than any other player left off the ballot.

How do they choose who gets on there? Yi has started every game and by many accounts, he is leading the rookie of the year race. He was a high draft pick. In the past, wasn't Wade, Mello, etc. on the All-Star ballots their rookie years?

It would be a little embarrassing for the NBA if Yi made it, so I'm wondering if they didn't want to take the chance.

Yi can play in the rookie game.

NBA.com: 2008 NBA All-Star Balloting Presented by T-Mobile First Returns Announced (http://www.nba.com/allstar_firstreturns_071213.html)

So far Yi is doing pretty well as a write-in. 5th place would get him in the game, wouldn't it? That's more votes than any Pistons besides Chauncey.

Forwards: Kevin Garnett (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kevin_garnett/index.html) (Bos) 735,664; LeBron James (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/lebron_james/index.html) (Clev) 597,768; Chris Bosh (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/chris_bosh/index.html) (185,294); Paul Pierce (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/paul_pierce/index.html) (Bos) 164,346; Yi Jianlian (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/yi_jianlian/index.html) (Mil) 98,507; Hedo Turkoglu (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/hidayet_turkoglu/index.html) (Orl) 73,781; Rashard Lewis (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/rashard_lewis/index.html) (Orl) 70,737; Tayshaun Prince (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/tayshaun_prince/index.html) (Det) 63,787; Caron Butler (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/caron_butler/index.html) (Wash) 55,796; Andrea Bargnani (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrea_bargnani/index.html) (Tor) 52,734.

I don't think that would get him in the game. The fans vote in the starters--2 forwards, 1 center, 2 guards--and then the coaches pick all the reserves.

I'm shocked that Turkaglu has more votes than Lewis.