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| Monday, September 24 Updated: September 26, 5:37 PM ET Users: Bucks are legit contenders ESPN.com |
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The Bucks came ever so close to the NBA Finals a year ago, and our users believe they have a pretty good chance to get at least that far this season. One of the main topics was free agent Anthony Mason, who Bucks fans are mixed on whether they want or not.
Your Bucks Feedback There is no reason not to believe this team is the cream of the crop in the Eastern Conference. Arguably, they were the top team in the East last season, but lost to a phenomenal performance by Allen Iverson in Game 7 of the East Finals. Ervin Johnson played out of his mind in the playoffs, and if he can repeat that performance during the 01-02 season, getting Mason from Miami might not be that high of a priority. However, if Mason does agree to come to Milwaukee for the right price look out NBA -- and yes, that includes you, Los Angeles Lakers. The stars on this team are legit, and Ray Allen will make his case as one of the top 5 players in the league this year. The wild card is Tim Thomas, who in his fourth year needs to take his game to the next level and average close to 15 points a game. At seasons end, I see the Bucks with 56 wins and the top seed in the East. Hopefully they can get over that playoff hump this year and get into the Finals.
Mike
I truly believe that the Bucks can advance this season -- people seem to have forgotten their almost knocking off of the Pacers in the first round a couple of years ago. If it hadn't been for that last-gasp (and in my view, very lucky) 3-pointer by Travis Best, who knows where the Bucks could have ended up. As for a power forward, I feel that they only need someone who can rebound. The Big Three is in my opinion more than capable of shouldering the scoring load. The only hole that was evident to me in the playoffs was Robinson, who at times seemed to disappear, as if in an offensive struggle. We'll see this year if that's the case.
Sean
It's definitely possible but they need that big body inside. George Karl can mix and match all he wants with this group, but none of these guys can produce like Mase. I personally believe Mase is a 15-10 guy. He defends, rebounds, can handle the basketball effectively, and is a threat to score in the low box. He'll produce more than any three of these guys on a nightly basis. Advancing to the Finals isn't far fetched for this team especially since they almost made it this year. I think the conference will be a little bit tougher than last year and they need a tough body to go into battle with. So I say pay the tax, this guy isn't a saint by any means, but will he make this team better. Besides do you want a guy like this on your side or do you want to face him along with the rest of Riley's troops in the playoffs.
David Osborne
Undoubtedly the Bucks should be the biggest challenger to the Sixers for Eastern conference supremacy this season. The one thing the Bucks have that these new up and coming teams, like the Magic, don't have is team chemistry. It still remains to be seen how Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill will perform together on the court. The Bucks already know how to operate on the floor with their stars. They still will outscore almost every team in the NBA and dare you to play their game. I think, by now, they have accepted the fact that they don't have a big man, and have learned to play around it.
Louis Coleman
I think the Bucks are as talented as anybody, with the exception being a low-post presence that can rebound and score. Granted, Ervin Johnson had a great playoff run, but lacked consistency in the regular season. Scott Williams is a great guy to keep around, and would be a great 1-2 punch behind the likes of Anthony Mason. The Bucks need this guy, one way or the other. If Sen. Kohl doesn't pick this guy up, then he's happy lining his pockets with green backs instead of decorating his finger with jewelry.
Eddie Marotske
I firmly believe that while adding Mason definitely wouldn't hurt the Bucks in the coming year, it is not a piece of the puzzle that must be added. The main reason the Bucks didn't beat the Sixers and advance to the Finals last year was not rebounding, or low-post scoring, or bad defense -- rather it was a loss of composure, resulting from a lack of experience in conference championship playoff games. In the NBA, playoff experience is crucial -- it's the difference between winning on the road and losing on the road, maintaining composure when the refs make bad calls and losing composure when the refs make bad calls. And last year in Game 5 of the Conference finals, this lack of experience that resulted in the Bucks losing composure was the difference between the Bucks being able to hold their big lead and blowing it (which they eventually did).
Mark
The new zone defense brings a doubt to this question. With no definite inside threat (or big man) they have to rely on their outside shooting more than ever. They might as well live and die with their shooting. However on the upside, this is a very talented and well-coached team. Having the same look might bode well for them because team chemistry is a vital part in team's success. Many people disregard that but as you look at the more successful NBA teams throughout the years they all have talent and good team chemistry, which the Bucks have. A Finals appearance is possible, if they can beat the zone, because they have the talent; but they won't beat the Lakers.
Mike Malong
Definitely! No one can argue that the Bucks would benefit greatly with the addition of Mason, but they are coming into this season with one weapon they did not have in previous seasons -- some real playoff experience. After two years of first-round outs, making it to the Eastern finals was great for the young Bucks. This year when the playoffs come around, the Bucks will know what to expect, they will end up getting some even more valuable experience in the Finals, and quite possibly some rings to go with it.
Ben
I don't think there is any question that with the talent the Bucks currently have they can make it to the NBA Finals. Ray Allen and Tim Thomas are only going to get better, and hopefully Michael Redd can provide quality minutes as a backup to them. Although they don't have any studs in the frontcourt they proved they didn't need them last year in going 8-0 against the West's top teams. When the Bucks' offense gets rolling they can beat anyone. To actually win an NBA championship and make their playoff run a little easier they do need some better post play though. I don't think Anthony Mason is the answer.
Ryan Benson
There is no doubt in my mind that the Bucks can make the Finals. I am still amazed that they did not make the Finals last year, especially considering the injuries that plagued the Sixers. Ray Allen showed he is one of the leagues prime time players, Glenn Robinson showed he can lead his team to victory (they would not have beat the Hornets if it was not for the Big Dog), and Sam Cassell, despite his whining, is a great veteran point guard who knows how to win. Count on the Big Three, along with Tim Thomas and hopefully Mason, to lead to Bucks to the best record in the Eastern Conference as well as a trip to the Finals.
Ben Petre |
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