2009-10 NBA preview: Milwaukee Bucks
The normal cycle of a sports team is a team drafts a young core of players, they make strides towards the post season, they have some ups and some downs, and then the general manager blows out the roster and starts all over again. That is how it works for most teams, but the Milwaukee Bucks are not most teams. Last year was a rebuilding year after finishing last in their division in each of their last five seasons, but General Manager John Hammond blew up his roster, shredded some big salaries and drafted some project players. Good news for Bucks fans, they are rebuilding yet again.
Maybe the news isn’t all that bad, the Bucks did win 35 games last season all while their top shooting guard Michael Redd, and their talented young center Andrew Bogut. This team is also looking for Brandon Jennings, their first round pick at 10th overall, to come and be able to run their offense. Jennings played last year in Italy, and through the summer league ran the Bucks offense like a seasoned pro. The Bucks are looking for small forward Joe Alexander can improve his game, and not wind up a 2008 NBA draft bust. Alexander was the 8th overall pick that year.
In the off season, the Bucks traded away Richard Jefferson, and let Charlie Villanueva leave via free agency. They hope that by taking one step back this year, they can take two steps forward in years to come. At the very least these moves allow the Bucks to escape the Luxury Tax, because nothing could be worse than being a last place team, paying a hefty tax to the league.
