2013-2014

I'm fairly positive the lottery is a much better chance than the current system of paying to much for vets.  I think this is a really poorly designed team, so I am confident the lottery should be top 5. 

There were 12 teams in the league last year that won 35 games or less.   I'd probably put Milwaukee in there as well.

Point being, if the objective is to tank the season to increase your chances at getting a stud prospect they will have a lot of company.   Charlotte in particular is really bad and might not win 20 games.   Philly basically dumped their best player and they might also not win 20 games.  Phoenix and New Orleans and Orlando look pretty awful as well.   Then there are the Sacramento's and Washington's and Cleveland's and Detroit's that have been pretty bad for several years now and there's no reason to believe they are going to improve.

Portland and Minnesota and Toronto should be improved this year but teams like Boston and Milwaukee are likely worse this year so again, that puts a team like the Bucks in the running for an 8 seed but if your goal is to blow it up (like Philly) they have done a poor job.   They are basically stuck in NBA mediocrity which for a small market team is not where you want to be.

Herb Kohl was quoted recently that he wants players to be in Milwaukee, and he doesn't believe in tanking.   To that extent, I think that's what this team is going to be.  The team chemistry should be a lot better, and once again, they have some good players, but they don't have any difference makers and that should equate to a 30-40 win team which in the NBA gets you an early playoff exit beatdown by Miami.

That's the thing.  I think they will be just good enough to make a push for a playoff spot, but not bad enough to give them a shot (lottery) at one of the decent prospects that are expected to enter the draft.

If there is a positive about this team at least they aren't in salary cap hell.   With the amnesty move on Gooden they really only have three guys that are signed long term- Mayo, Ersan, and Sanders.   Ersan and OJ are only signed for three years, and Ersan has a team option in year 3.  So, if they want to "blow up" the team they have the flexibility within the cap to do so or they can go out and sign some legit free agent type players.   The problem is, it's not like Milwaukee is a top destination so the Bucks will always have to overpay.  That's why getting and making good draft choices is so critical.

having cap space is nice if you already have young talent.  Milwaukee's cap space gets them OJ Mayo. 

Point being when Larry Harris was the GM they were up against the cap every year AND they sucked.   At least Hammond signed most of their guys to shorter term deals. 

Hopefully Drew is committed to playing the young guys and letting them get some experience in what will be a painful year to watch.  Need to play for the future and not for the 8th seed.  Time to make like TT and draft/develop for a year or two.  I'd rather see young players who are improving and playing hard than seeing our two former guards chucking it up time and time again.  

Given what I've seen from Derrick Rose the Bulls might give Miami a real run for their money this year.   That is a good team.

As for the Bucks, I really don't know what to expect.  Personally, I'd rather they lose 60 games this year because it would improve their lottery chances but I have a feeling that they will win just enough to give the appearance they are improved but not enough to be taken seriously

16- count them- 16 turnovers in the first half.  That's inexcusable.   Sure, they made a game of it but this is not a very good team.  Losing their starting PG to a hamstring injury didn't help matters.

A win.

Kinda wow.

Boston is not very good but impressive that Milwaukee came back late after being down like 18 points.

Bucks are following the Packers lead with injuries- sheesh

MC might be right about this team losing close to 60 games if this keeps up

I've done a lot of watching Wiggins and Parker.  Wiggins has crazy upside but I think he's a bigger risk than Parker.  The Kobe comparison on Parker is interesting because the one knock against Wiggins is that some wonder if he's motivated enough or has the leadership needed to become a stud player in the NBA.   On the other hand, while Parker may not possess the same athleticism as Wiggins he's much more consistent and humble and seems to have more of the killer instinct.   Both guys will likely play the SF position and that's a spot the Bucks really need to address.   Then there's another guy Randle at Kentucky that's really starting to get publicity and he may end up being in the same category as Wiggins and Parker.   He's a little bigger/taller than Wiggins or Parker, but his skill level is off the charts.  He might play the PF spot in the pros but he'd be another guy on the radar to keep an eye on.

I wonder what my career leadership potential was at 18?

Isn't Wiggins Canadian? 

They mature slower anyway. 

In Milwaukee with Pacers resting all starters and they still lose.

whoa!

Sessions and Butler come off the books and that's 13MM right there 

i think if Sanders can do a reset to this year they can build around a core of him and Knight and the alphabet kid.  Middleton and Delfino and Henson can be solid role players for this team but they need another young stud.  If it's Parker to play the 3 and everyone stays focused and healthy this team could be a lot better next year