[Pan Mengtu]

You never see any threads about the Bucks so I figured I'd start one. A lot of people have been leaving them out of the playoffs, but I don't think so. They have a solid young team. Need to get bigger, though.

[hobojoe]

I think they'd be in really good shape if they had been able to retain Brian Skinner or acquire Etan Thomas, but unfortunately they lost Skinner to Philly and the Wizards matched their offer to Thomas, so they're pretty think up front. But I think Dan Gadzuric is ready to play some big minutes this season, I think he's going to be a good center for them for many years to come. I question their stability at the PG position still with Mike James joining them, but still questions about T.J. Ford's health. I think they also signed Mo Williams to an offer sheet, but he's not going to be much of a factor for them. I say they're a borderline playoff team.

[Captain Obvious]

PG- Ford, James, Strickland
SG- Redd, Mason
SF- Van Horn, Haislip
PF- Smith, Pachulia, Hamilton
C- Gadzuric, Santiago, L. Jones

I guess this is something like what their depth chart would be. They lost two of the main parts of their team, Damon Jones and Brian Skinner. Mike James should fill in fine for Jones but there is no replacement for Skinner. As you can see this team really lacks size. Also, they got worse after they traded for Van Horn. Right now, nobody knows if Ford will be healthy. This team needs some major depth as well. The Bucks faded somewhat at the end of the season and with these offseason developments I just don't see them having of winning record. They should be close to .500, and that maybe be enough to get them a 6-8 seed, but my personal belief is that they will miss the playoffs.

[JNice]

Ford's health and readiness for the season are in question. And losing Skinner is going to be a bigger loss than most would assume.

I'd be surprised to see them make the playoffs, but in the East, pretty much everything outside of Miami, Indiana, and Detroit is up for grabs.

[rocketeer]

Originally posted by hobojoe!
but still questions about T.J. Ford's health.

if ford is healthy, they should be the 5 seed in the playoffs.

if he isn't, then they will be looking at a very high pick in the next year's draft.

they have some good players on this team(redd, mason, van horn, smith), but ford is what makes the team run. mike james was a good signing and he should be a great backup and would be fine as a starter but i don't see him impacting the game like ford does.

[SilentOneX]

Again, they will be the playoff team with lower seed unless there are major changes in other team for better.

[Jaywalk]

As long as Porter can establish the same intensity and hustle, they should be a top 6 team in the east.

[Pan Mengtu]

The Van Horn trade was a horrible idea. I don't see why any team would want him.

[Pan Mengtu]

Remember, this team gave the Pistons a little bit of problems in the first round.

They need to find a way to start Mason. He's too good to come off the bench. Is there anyway he can play 3?

[radronOmega]

I like the Bulls, Cavs, Sixers and Magic this year. At least 2 of those teams will be playoff contenders and take the Bucks place.

[Jesus_Walks]

Originally posted by Pan Mengtu!
Remember, this team gave the Pistons a little bit of problems in the first round.

They need to find a way to start Mason. He's too good to come off the bench. Is there anyway he can play 3?

i think he does start

PG- Ford/James/Mo Williams
SG- Redd/Stricland
SF- Mason/Kukoc
PF- Van Horn/Smith/Haslip
C- Gadzuric/Santiago

[rocketeer]

Originally posted by Jesus_Walks!
i think he does start

PG- Ford/James/Mo Williams
SG- Redd/Stricland
SF- Mason/Kukoc
PF- Van Horn/Smith/Haslip
C- Gadzuric/Santiago

i think the lineup will be more like

pg - ford/james/strickland
sg - redd/mason/strickland
sf - van horn/mason
pf - smith/van horn/haislip
c - gadzuric/santiago

with mason as the 6th man(possible candidate for 6th man of the year).

why exactly was the van horn trade horrible?

van horn on the bucks - 15.7, 6.3, 1.5 in 30 minutes
tim thomas on the bucks - 14.1, 4.9, 2.1 in 32 minutes

[bigdbucks]

Originally posted by Pan Mengtu!
The Van Horn trade was a horrible idea. I don't see why any team would want him.

I don't think it was a bad idea because it got rid of Tim Thomas who was definetly not a fit for this team cuz he wouldn't drive to the hoop. Once Van Horns contract is up he's done in Milwaukee anyways.