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| Thursday, August 24 Users can't wait for the Bucks to win 50 ESPN.com |
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Last year the Bucks slipped into the playoffs and then scared the daylights out of the team that eventually represented the Eastern Conference. This year, with plenty of new talent brought in and very little missing from last season, things are looking even better. While NBA fans talk about the improvement teams like the Magic and Heat have made, they shouldn't leave out the Bucks. Don't believe us? Just read the e-mails below. Here are some of the better comments you had to say about the Bucks and our Team Offseason Spotlight on them. Enjoy, and check out our spotlight index page to see when your favorite team will be broken down.
Eric Bluhm Madison, Wisc.
I agree with the Bucks keeping the players they have. Each can be an essential piece of a winning puzzle. Robinson may not have defense, but he may be one of the purest shooters in the league. Allen keeps his head and can drive the lane. Cassell can dish the ball, though the Bucks seldom have a big man to dish to, but can also shoot rather well. The acquisitions in the offense will provide defense not present last season. I think the major problem still is that all of these pieces of the puzzle are too one-dimensional. A defensive mindset must be embedded in the big three, or I see continued seasons just around .500. Ben Meinnert La Crosse, Wisc.
The Bucks have a real good chance this year, especially if Caffey and Przybilla step up. The big three can score, and the other "hustle" players (Ham and Williams) pick up the rest. I think that with a frontcourt presence, the Bucks are contenders. You have to look at the trades and say that the front office is doing a darn fine job. Cassell for Terrell Brandon, Tim Thomas for Tyrone Hill, then Caffey for Del Negro, Reid and Taylor and now Lindsey Hunter for Billy Owens. Those are really good trades for the Bucks. Grunfeld and Karl do a great job and I'm looking forward to next season anxiously. Jake Gordon Philadelphia, Pa.
The Bucks were a decent team last year, but they lacked depth and a good frontcourt. Being a long-time Brewers fan, I know about teams lacking things and making bone- headed decisions in the offseason. The Bucks, on the other hand, saw their problems, and not only attempted to fix, them, but fixed them well. They solved their frontcourt problem with Przybilla and Caffey, and their depth was helped by Michael Redd and Lindsey Hunter. I think the Bucks made all the right moves this season, and should win 50 games and be a seventh seed in the playoffs. Dan Milwaukee, Wisc.
Will the Bucks win 50 games this year? Look at their division: Every team got worse while the Bucks only got better. Detroit lost Hill and Hunter, Charlotte has no Eddie Jones or Anthony Mason, Toronto lost McGrady, and Cleveland, Chicago and Atlanta certainly don't scare anyone. Even the Pacers got hit, losing Mark Jackson and possibly Rik Smits. Yes, the Pacers will be their main competition, but when you play most of your games in an easy Central Division, as opposed to the stacked Atlantic, the Bucks will win a lot of games. They kept every major piece and even added better size in rookie Przybilla and forward Jason Caffey. The future for the Bucks looks sensational. Josh Redetzke Eau Claire, Wisc.
Let's see, what is the most important aspect of a team? That's right, chemistry. It is something that the NBA lacks, but you can find great chemistry in great teams. That's where the Bucks are headed. You need to look no further than to the top of their own division. The Pacers are the best team in the East, and they did the smart thing by re-signing five of their six free agents. The Bucks are younger, faster and more prolific on offense. If this team can come together and play some good team defense, they could be scary. Mike Greendale, Wisc.
I have been a diehard Bucks fan since they drafted Glenn Robinson in 1994. It has been five long years, though the last two were not that bad. I say not that bad because if you watched all the games like I did you know how inconsistent they are and how much better they could be. This is Big Dog's sixth year and he is ready to lead this team to 50-plus wins. The Bucks easily have the best 12-man roster in the Eastern Conference and the rumors of trading Glenn would be a huge mistake and one the Bucks can't make. Glenn's $80-million dollar contract makes him cheap for a guy who over his career has averaged 21 points a game, numbers almost the same as NBA golden boy Grant Hill. With the salary cap you couldn't get anyone close to Glenn's skills for the amount of money he makes. If the Bucks keep the team they have together, they could be the second- or third-best team in the East for many years to come. James Richardson Milwaukee, Wisc.
The Bucks can score as well as any team in the league, but they have to develop more consistency and more patience on offense. If they do that, they will be almost unstoppable, just ask Indiana. The Bucks still must prove that they can play some D, and with George Karl, I think they can learn to. This team has a lot more depth than last year but they need a veteran backup guard like Vinny Del Negro. I don't think Glenn Robinson will be traded, at least not this year, but there is always that possibility. I see the Bucks winning about 45-55 games this season. If they're on and clicking, watch out. GO BUCKS! Baxley Aldworth Clinton, Ark.
I think the Bucks are a 50-win team. With everyone returning and the additions of Caffey and some solid draft choices, I like the team's chances to hit 50. What I would like to see from the Bucks is a steady incline season after season. It would be pointless to hope for a championship because of teams like Miami, the Lakers and San Antonio. However those teams will soon come back down to the pack (in 2-3 years.) By that time the Bucks should be a powerhouse with ample playoff experience and championship in sight. M. Schauer San Diego, Calif.
Tim Thomas is the future for the Bucks at small forward. I like Glenn Robinson but he is on his way to being traded for a much needed power forward (eg. Anthony Mason). Thomas has the size, finesse and potential to do things for the Bucks at the three spot that Glenn couldn't do, namely play defense. And don't be surprised if Glenn goes to Chi-town because I don't care what Krause says, Fizer and Brand together is a no-win situation. Joe Young Mitchellville, Md.
The Bucks showed at the end of last season and in the playoffs what a great team they can be when all cylinders are clicking. The moves they made in the offseason (re-signing Thomas and Ham, getting rid of Reid, Traylor and Manning, drafting 7-1 Przybilla, and obtaining Caffey) have made this team much better than last year. Defense was their main problem last year. That has improved with Przybilla and Caffey coming in. Offensively, we were and will be one of the most threatening teams in the NBA.
Prior to now, most of these guys had never played for a winner. They didn't know what it takes. These guys had little playoff experience. Last year, they played an incredibly intense series against Indiana. They blew them out twice and lost the final game of the series by only one point at Indiana. That experience has helped them grow up and has taught them the intensity that is needed to win. They didn't have that intensity on a consistent level until very late in the season when a playoff spot was on the line. This year, I expect it to be different. They will be much more consistent, they will be better defensively, they will win 52-54 games and will give Indiana a challenge for the Central Division title.
Is Tim Thomas worth $67 million? I don't think so, and I can't believe that the Bucks even considered paying him that much money. For what? What has he done to deserve that kind of coin? Nothing, yet. He does show promise and he is a physical specimen, but what happened to the days of paying a player for producing, and not paying in hopes that he'll produce? Personally, I think going to Chicago would have been a better move for Tim, where he could have had an increased role and had a real opportunity to show what he can do. Instead, he signed with the forward-laden Bucks, where he will either have to play out of his natural position or will probably see considerably less court time as a forward. Dirk Dishler Washington, D.C.
What I saw of the Bucks in the playoffs proved to me that they are capable of playing with any team in the league, as long as they are willing to leave everything on the floor. When this team is focused and plays hard on both ends of the floor, they are scary. Przybilla should help more as the season progresses. Thomas will only continue to grow as a player. And really, 50-plus wins is realistic, as long as they play the Bostons and the Clevelands like they are the Pacers. Chris Benes Glendale, Wisc.
The Bucks' record last season was not totally honest. You can blame their record on that dreadful midseason slump. But why do you ask about the slump? First, they were tinkering with the lineup, trying to find the combination that came within seconds of stealing a playoff victory from the Pacers. Secondly, this team is still learning the ways of coach George Karl and a gambling defense. After a promising draft, and some good trades, I can honestly say that on paper this team can beat anyone, and for the first time in a long time, we could finally be in the hunt for a championship. Michael Gulrud Adams, Wisc.
The Milwaukee Bucks were one of the most exciting and painful teams to watch last year. The Bucks had a penchant for blowing big leads late in games, but at the same time had the capability of coming back from huge deficits. I think the cohesiveness of retaining the core of the team, plus adding some needed size and toughness to the frontline should help stabilize this erratic team. The Bucks do, however, still have the human sieve playing small forward (Robinson), and until he can finally collar his defensive woes the Bucks will always remain a first-round casualty. David Wera Milwaukee, Wisc.
After a decade of disappointment, it's extremely exciting to see the Bucks turn it around. When I see the former Bucks of the '80's now NBA assistant coaches (like Sidney Moncrief, Brian Winters, Paul Pressey) and color commentators (Marques Johnson), it really makes me appreciate just how talented we were back then, and just how good this new group can become. Thank you, Senator Kohl. The city of Milwaukee and the Bucks fans across the nation truly appreciate it. Ted Gross Glen Allen, Va.
The Bucks are a great team. I think they have the best trio of players in the NBA. The only problem is none of them are a four or five. Every team needs an All-Star at both ends of the starting lineup to contend for a championship. The lack of a frontcourt is the reason they still won't improve upon their 42-40 record that much. The second problem is giving $67 million to their sixth man. Of course every team needs a good reliable sixth man to be successful, but that much money is absurd because Robinson will not give up minutes in order to give them to Thomas. If they like Thomas more than Robinson they should put Robinson on the trade block and try to match his 20 ppg with a power forward or center. Also, maybe try to get Ervin Johnson out of there with him because of the potential Przybilla has. Dennis D. Philadelphia, Pa.
The Bucks are perhaps the league's most feared mediocre team. Because of their perimeter scoring threats, they are capable of lighting it up or clanking up bricks. Nevertheless, their inconsistency seems as though it will remain this season. Your spotlight provided a pinpoint analysis in suggesting Milwaukee will remain mediocre (but playoff bound) and erratic until it develops an inside presence. Khalistan Zindabad Columbus, Ohio
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