Yet Another Dissapointing End for the Bucks

When the lights go out at Conseco Fieldhouse on Wednesday night, the sun will set on the 5th straight losing season for the Milwaukee Bucks. The team of nobodies stayed in the race for a bit, but a late losing streak sent them to the lotto again. The 52 wins and trip to the Eastern Conference Finals is a distant nine years ago and the immediate future isn't looking bright for the purple and green, or red and green, or whatever their colors are now.






Scott Skiles should consider himself lucky because he made it through the season. Not like he should have been fired for the terrible talent he had to work with after Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut both went down with season ending injuries, but that hasn't stopped Herb Kohl in the past...see Terry Porter.

Just to put it in perspective...the Bucks have had 9 coaches in the 20 years I have been alive, with only Mike Dunleavy and George Karl making it longer than three years. Since Karl was fired in 2003, Milwaukee is on their 4th coach and 3rd general manager. Each year the roster is completely turned over and continuity is a word not known at the BC. That is why the Bucks are the definition of below average, year in, year out.

John Hammond came from Detroit where he helped Joe Dumars build the Pistons and has big plans to do the same in Milwaukee, but we have to be paitient. Larry Harris and his team put this team in such a financial pit with the horrible contracts given to Dan Gadzuric, Bobby Simmons and Michael Redd that Hammond won't even be able to keep Charlie Villanueva and Ramon Sessions this offseason. Two of the promising young building blocks that are on this team will walk this offseason and there is nothing the Bucks can do about it.

Losing Sessions isn't the end of the world, he is replaceable, especially through the draft. But Villanueva hurts...not just on the court. There is no better ambassador to the city or to the game than Charlie V. The tweetin' forward does countless community service and is a class act...just follow him on twitter at CV31 to see for yourself.

Its a sad reality and the Bucks are only going to get worse before they get better. That's right...even worse than the last few years. Winning their last few games has pushed the Bucks down the lottery chain and they are slated 10th. Don't be surprised if they move up, other than some guy named Kareem, they tend to win the lottery when there is not a superstar coming out. Kent Benson, Glenn Robinson, Andrew Bogut.

Point Guard

In order to keep Sessions, the Bucks will have to deal the $6.5 millon expiring contract of Luke Ridnour. Don't be surprised if Joe Alexander is wiggled as bait to try and get someone to bite on Luke. Personally, I like Ridnour and think he would make an excellent backup point guard on a good team. This is a position that the Bucks could look at in the draft. Eric Maynor, Ty Lawson and Johnny Flynn all likely will be available if the Bucks hold at 10. There are plenty of steals at PG in the second round..such as AJ Price, Toney Douglas, Darren Collison and Curtis Jerrells, that I'd be shocked if the Bucks don't take one. The key to successful teams is the center and point, with Bogut locked up..Milwaukee needs to find its floor general. They did just sign former Arizona Wildcat and Atlanta Hawk Salim Stoudamire to a contract for next season. If he can recover to old form after an injury, he can be a solid role player.

Two Guard

The Bucks hopes at the playoffs took a severe blow when Michael Redd freakishly tore his ACL in late January. While Bucks fans don't think the team can win with Redd as its star...he isn't going anywhere. Nobody is going to take the 17 million he is owed coming off major surgery. If there is anyone to fight and claw back from a devestating injury, it is Redd. He is still the face of the franchise and he will be back to old form by opening night. After Redd, there is only one known. Charlie Bell will be back for his 5th season in Milwaukee. Bell has turned into a very solid bench player, that has been forced into too much in his time as a Buck. If Bell can slide into the backup guard role, he will go back to the 13.5 PPG scorer he was a few years back. This is a position where the Bucks need to find a cheap bench option, because Bell and Stoudamire will serve as top backup options.

Small Forward

If anyone is packing their bags this offseason it is Richard Jefferson. But I don't think it is happening. Jefferson had a great year for the Bucks, stepping up and becoming the number one option after the injuries. Jefferson has yet to turn 30 and barring a blockbuster deal to clear salary, RJ will be the man at the three in 2009-10. The backups? That is a different story. Joe Alexander hasn't proven capable to play at this level and will likely be dealt in the offseason. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute can play the three, but is too valuable to be wasted there. With Villanueva likely gone, this is another important addition area. With limited money...a second round pick like Dante Cunningham, Danny Green or Jerel McNeal could see playing time right away.

Power Forward

To me, this is where I spend my first round pick. CV is a goner and Prince Luc is better off coming off the bench at numerous positions. Joe Alexander is too soft and heavens forbid that Malik Allen is left as the starter. If the Bucks strike gold in the lottery, Blake Griffin would look awfully good here, as would Andrew Bogut after Hasheem Thabeet moves him to the four. I'd even settle for Jordan Hill, but that would require hitting it big in the lottery. More realistic options are Craig Brackins from Iowa St. and Georgetown's Greg Monroe. Al Farouq Aminu and maybe even DeJaun Blair could be considered as well. No position is more important in the offseason than this one and with no cash, the draft pick has to be spent here.

Center

Andrew Bogut's back problems may worry you, but I rest assured that a fracture is healable. He will be ready for the start of next season and there is no doubt that the Aussie has an incredible impact on the game, with his passing, shot blocking and defense. That is why he got the contract he did, because he is the heart and soul of the team. Francisco Elson will have to do as the primary backup and he played alright this season. Dan Gadzuric will be back yet again...for year five of that horrid six year deal. Once again he will get paid 6.7 million to grab two rebounds a game. With Bogut, Elson and Danny G, don't look for many additions here, just because they need to spend the limited amount they have elsewhere.

Bench
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is so vaulable to this team. He can play every position and needs to come off the bench. Charlie Bell and Salim Stoudamire will serve as backup guards, as well as a likely veteran or rookie. Keith Bogans is a free agent, but could probably be resigned cheap. Add Elson, Gadzuric and Allen and this unit probably is set. It is terrible, but its set.

The Bucks will be the same team they always are next season if Redd and Bogut are healthy. They will threaten for that 8th spot in the East, no more. Unless John Hammond decides to completly tear it up and start again, the Bucks will be the same old Bucks. If he can find takers for Redd and Jefferson and somehow keep Sessions and Charlie V...it will be a successful offseason. It will make them worse, but they need to start over to get going. Bucks fans gave their team a standing ovation after their final home game on Monday...unless things turn around fast, those fans won't be there.